thank u ladies, will try this.......

I use a sponge dipped in a mixture of fabric softener and water. I squeeze it out and wrap it in a towel and put it in the dryer. Fabric softener bottle lasts a very long time.

You can use coffee filters as well. They are cheap if you get them at the dollar store.

Does using plain vinegar stop static?

Good ideas, thank you ladies.

My mom did this in the 80s...it DOES work, but she bought cheapest pink yuk smelling fabric softener, too. Sorry, but one thing I like and can still pay for is good smelling fabric softener/sheets. I'll scrimp with those lesser brand 'pods' of detergent.

what a great idea! I just made a batch with hair conditioner. I always have so much conditioners, they last longer than the shampoos. A good idea to use it up. Mixed 1c vinegar, 1 c conditioner and 3c hot water. Shook it up and dipped several old striped washcloths and hung to dry. Can' t wait to try!

Great idea! You could also make long-lasting dryer balls: http://www.alwayssomethinghome.com/2012/10/n...

* ps** also the vinegar will not discolor and prenvent color fade.

I use white vinegar in the wash & a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer!! no smell, only fresh & no static & yes it is safe to put a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer!! <3

I did this as well and you are right I saved a bunch of money! Good post!!!

I'm going to have to try these ideas!!! Thanks all!

I purchased wool balls online and add essential oils of lavendar to them when I want fresh scented clothes. I use vinegar in the fabric softner compartment of my washing machine. No more fabric softner for me!

I too use vinegar in the rinse cycle. Stopped using dryer sheets years ago when I read they eventually do something to (coat?) the sensor in the dryer so it doesn't work. Then I read about the chemicals in softener being dangerous on your skin, so I'm done with softener! Mom had me rinse my hair with some vinegar mixed with water to get rid of shampoo and it worked great, so I figure it would do the same in the washer!

All great ideas! I recently read that dryer sheet fabric is not healthy!

@Pam Shoesmith you are right about the dryer sheets, I was told by a fireman that the residue from them build up on the dryer coils and cause it to catch on fire.

I no longer have to use fabric softener. I use a product called "Charlie's Soap" and put vinegar in the washing machine where you would put liquid fabric softener. Everything comes out of the washer & dryer smelling like wash did 50 years ago!

Fabric softener makes your towels less absorbent. I use a little washing soda with detergent in the wash and nothing in the dryer. Most people don't need fabric softener in the summer when static is not a problem. People need to stop listening to advertising, most of which sells you stuff that you don't really need.

I use very few dryer sheets. I guess this new-fangled pricey dryer that was included with the purchase of our house (thank you sellers!) must keep static to a minimum. But I do think this is an experiment I might try. Thanks for the tip!

What a great idea I'm gonna have to try it!!!

This is another idea that I have been using for a very long time..I started out because I couldn't afford bounce sheets and my mama always said after a while fabric softener makes your towels not absorbent..she always used viegar and so do I...It also works in the rinse agent compartment of your dishwasher....dishes and glasses come out spot free and the dishwasher is always clean and shiny too!!!!!

I stopped using dryer sheet after reading an article saying they are not good for the dryer sensors. I still had a full box of them so I experimented using them for other things. They work wonderful as a dust cloth for fabric covered lamp shades. It takes all the dust off and leaves the room smelling great.

To Pam and Liz...I have noticed a residue around my dryer door and it is from the bounce sheets. Imagine what it does to our clothes and our skin.

no fabric softener. makes getting spots out of clothing difficult also. wax buildup. somewhat good for keeping mosquitoes at bay.

Putting fabric softener sheets in shoes is also a very nice way to make our shoes smell wonderful when we go to put them on... Great for smelly sneakers, etc.