For medium-sized loads of laundry, place two dryer sheets on top of your clothes before starting the dry cycle. For large or extra-large loads, use three dryer sheets. (Just make sure your clothes are compatible with dryer sheets).

Dryer sheets are the unsung hero of any laundry day. They fight static cling, soften your fabrics, and add a touch of sophisticated fragrance to your clothes, towels, and sheets (if you’re using Luxury Scented Dryer Sheets).

When dryer sheets heat up, they slowly release fabric conditioners, fragrance oils, and other benefit agents onto your fabrics. Dryer sheets are a staple in millions of households across the country—but are you getting the maximum benefit out of them?

Keep reading to learn how to use dryer sheets like a pro. These tips will keep your clothes soft, static-free, and smelling sexy.

1. Make Sure Your Clothes are Compatible with Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets work well for most everyday items made of natural fibers, such as cotton. However, the fabric-softening ingredients can affect the absorbency and performance of certain types of fabrics.

Here are some items we recommend not using dryer sheets with:

• Workout Clothes: Dryer sheets can interfere with the sweat-wicking capabilities of polyester, nylon, and spandex
• Microfiber Towels: The thin coating from dryer sheets can reduce the absorbency of microfiber towels.
• Flame-Resistant Clothes: Items labeled as flame-resistant should not be exposed to dryer sheets, since the lubricants can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Waterproof Fabrics: Outdoor gear like rain jackets and waterproof coats aren’t compatible with dryer sheets, since the residue can limit their ability to repel moisture

If you're not sure whether a particular item is compatible with dryer sheets, check the care label or manufacturer's instructions to be safe.

2. Determine How Many Dryer Sheets You Need

The number of dryer sheets you need depends on the size of your laundry load. Here’s a cheat sheet:

• Small load (2-6 pounds): 1 dryer sheet
• Medium load (6-11 pounds): 2 dryer sheets
• Large or extra-large load (11+ pounds): 3 dryer sheets

When your dryer sheets smell seductive, you might be tempted to add some extras. However, it’s important not to overload your dryer with too many dryer sheets, as this can lead to an excessive buildup of residue on your laundry and potentially cause problems with your dryer.

3. Place the Dryer Sheets On Top of Your Clothes

Load your wet clothes into the dryer, then place the dryer sheet(s) on top of the pile. Make sure it’s not stuck or tangled inside any clothes or bedsheets, otherwise, the ingredients won’t be able to disperse evenly across all of your items during the dry cycle.

4. Run Your Normal Dry Cycle

Close the dryer door securely, select the appropriate temperature and cycle, and let those dryer sheets work their magic!

If you’re using a no-heat or air-only setting, you can still use dryer sheets. The tumbling action still provides an opportunity for the dryer sheet to distribute its softening agents and fragrance throughout the cycle.

Pro tip: Check out our guide to whether you can dry white and dark-colored clothes together.

5. Discard the Dryer Sheet

Once your dry cycle ends, locate the used dryer sheet and toss it in the trash. Dryer sheets are typically not recyclable, since they’re made from nonwoven polyester, so they should be disposed of in the regular trash.

Dryer sheets are meant for single use and should be disposed of after each drying cycle. Looking for a more sustainable alternative? Wool dryer balls are the way to go. They can last up to five years before they need to be replaced. Can’t decide? Check out our ultimate guide to dryer balls vs. dryer sheets.

Common Questions About Dryer Sheets

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get at Laundry Sauce about dryer sheets.

How Many Dryer Sheets Should You Use Per Load?

• Small loads (2-6 pounds): 1 dryer sheet
• Medium loads (6-11 pounds): 2 dryer sheets
• Large or extra-large loads (11+ pounds): 3 dryer sheets

Do You Put Dryer Sheets With Wet Clothes?

Yes, place the dryer sheet on top of your wet laundry after you load everything into the dryer.

When Should You Not Use Dryer Sheets?

Don’t use dryer sheets if any of these types of fabrics are in the dryer:

• Athletic clothes made from moisture-wicking fabrics
• Microfiber towels
• Water-repellent fabrics
• Flame-resistant fabrics, especially children’s clothes and bedding

Laundry Sauce Has the Best Dryer Sheets In the Game

For decades, dryer sheets smelled as boring as the detergent sold in the same aisle at supermarkets. Sure, they stopped static cling and softened clothes. But the tradeoff was that your laundry smelled lame AF. That’s what inspired us to launch Laundry Sauce Luxury Scented Dryer Sheets. Instead of “spring breeze” or “fresh linen,” we infused our dryer sheets with sophisticated fragrances like Australian Sandalwood, Italian Bergamot, French Saffron, and more.

You probably never thought dryer sheets were the key to smelling sexy. But once you get a whiff of these, you’ll see why people swear they’re the best dryer sheets in the game.