Last Updated: December 29, 2022

5 best dryer sheets & dryer balls for softer clothes.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 11 min read

Laundry day may not always be one of your favorite days, but even so, the feeling of warm, lovely smelling clothes fresh out of the dryer tug at our heart a bit. That may be why we also enjoy picking out the best smelling dryer sheets for our laundry routine. However, keep in mind there’s much more to dryer sheets than just their smell. You also want to pick ones that help control static, keep your clothes and linens their softest, and avoid the use of harsh chemicals that could harm you or the ones you love.


If you haven’t locked down which are the best smelling dryer sheets for your home, check out our list of the best dryer sheets for softer clothes below, and compare and contrast products from top brands like method and Seventh Generation, or shop dryer sheet alternatives like these Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls, which tackle 1,000 loads of laundry. Want to know about how wool dryer balls work and if they're a better choice for you? Read up on our Guide to Wool Dryer Balls for a bit more info.


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. grab green Newborn Baby Dryer Sheets

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When washing your baby’s sheets, clothes, burb cloths, and other items, dry them with a product that’s as delicate as them with these grab green Newborn Baby Dryer Sheets. These newborn dryer sheets are made especially for little ones 0–4 months, and they’re paraben-free, sulfate-free, naturally fragranced, and vegan. Soften and reduce static cling …

(37)
40 sheets
$5.99
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2. Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls

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These hypoallergenic Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls help reduce wrinkles and drying time, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional dryer sheets. Plastic-free and crafted to be sustainably powerful for a healthy home and planet.

These reusable wool dryer balls are made with 100% New Zealand wool and separate clothes to allow more air to …

(1004)
3 Count
$19.99
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3. method Dryer Sheets

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Taking warm clothes out of the dryer is one the best feelings in the world. Use method Dryer Sheets when drying your clothes, and enhance the experience with inspiring scents such as beach sage and ginger mango. Plus, these dryer sheets soften fabrics and feature plant-based static control.

Want to get all your laundry essentials delivered right …

(593)
80 Count
$4.99
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4. Mrs. Meyer's Dryer Sheets

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It's time to upgrade to Mrs. Meyer's Dryer Sheets. The thoughtfully chosen ingredients will leave your clothes smelling fresh.

Select from five unique scents: Basil, Geranium, Honeysuckle, Lavender, and Lemon Verbena. For a complete laundry overhaul, pair these dryer sheets with Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent. That detergent is made with …

(364)
80 Sheets
$10.49
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5. Seventh Generation Dryer Sheets, Fabric Softener

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A cheaper alternative to liquid fabric softener, these Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheets still get your laundry its softest using only essential oils and plant-based ingredients. They’re USDA certified, Leaping Bunny–certified, and recently have been redesigned for even better static control. Plus, these Seventh Generation dryer sheets are …

(277)
80 Count
$6.99
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FAQs

What do dryer sheets do?

Well, first things first, dryer sheets are what some households use in place of fabric softeners. If you’re using one of the best dryer sheets instead of a fabric softener, it s doing these three key things:

  • Reducing the static on your clothes so they don’t annoyingly stick together
  • Adding scent to your clothing for a super fresh smell (our favorite part of laundry day)
  • Helping to make your clothes and other laundry feel softer than before

When it comes to dryer sheets, the Grove team got down to business and asked one of our in-house experts to answer a few more commonly asked questions about dryer sheets. Check out our article, Ask an expert: What do dryer sheets do? and find out more about dryer sheets and if they're right for your household.


Which dryer sheets smell the best?

The best smelling dryer sheets really depend on what fragrances you like. These method Dryer Sheets come in Beach Sage and Ginger Mango. Both are strong scents, so if you don’t love a strong scent on your laundry, they may not be for you. For those looking for a lighter fragrance, these Seventh Generation Dryer Sheets in lavender might be best. One of the best dryer sheets for baby is this pack of grab green Dryer Sheets with no fragrance.


Check out our list above of the best dryer sheets for softer clothes and browse options like the best dryer sheets for sensitive skin or even the best dryer sheets for static. No matter what sheets you use, you may want to also look over our list of the 10 best natural laundry detergents (that smell good too) and the best laundry stain removers to get your laundry day working like a well-oiled (washing) machine.


Are dryer sheets bad?

This one’s a doozy of a question because the best dryer sheets have many benefits, but the EWG does recommend skipping out on fabric softeners and fabric-softener alternatives entirely. Let’s break it down: Why are dryer sheets good to use and why are they bad to use.


The pros:

  • The best dryer sheets will reduce static on your clothing and laundry
  • They’ll leave behind a fresh scent, one of the things many of us love about laundry day
  • They soften your clothes so they don’t come out of the dryer stiff.

The cons:

  • Some dryer sheets can be filled with chemicals that can be harmful to your health
  • Look out when washing bath, kitchen, microfiber, or cleaning towels — even the best dryer sheets can make them become less absorbent
  • If the dryer sheets you’re using have a Stearic acid coating, they can actually damage the wicking on active wear and socks — not good!
  • They may leave a residue behind in your dryer that affects its operating efficiency

What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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