Living in a cold-weather climate comes with its fair share of beauty – and undeniable woes. One downer? With colder weather comes an increase in dry, static clothes. It's a serious drag. While I don't necessarily use fabric softeners during the warmer months, dryer balls are a girl's best friend when it comes to laundering all those warm blankets, sweaters, and socks. Designed to make your laundry soft, static-free, and ultra-comfy, liquid laundry conditioners or dryer sheets (or balls) work at reducing wrinkles, nixing pet hair, and zapping out any unwanted cling. With options ranging from fully scented to zero dyes or scents, you've got plenty of choices for the best product to fit your needs. Read on to discover a few that we are currently obsessing over. Bounce Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets Combining the benefits of both fabric softener and dryer sheets, these convenient dryer sheets will make your clothes soft, cozy, and static-free. All you have to do? Just toss ’em in the dryer with a load of clothes and let them work their magic. One thing we’re definitely a fan of? The fact that they work wonders on pet hair. As someone who is in a constant battle against pet hair, it is a wonderful thing to pop your clothes in the dryer and have them come out hair-free. With these sheets doing double time as both a fabric softener and an anti-static agent, you can do away with your liquid laundry conditioner and just go with one product. Over time, that’ll save on money and on product. Pros: Help to ease any wrinkles. Refreshing scent – great for stinky gym clothes. Can be used as a freshener in gym bags, etc. Cons: Dryer sheets may reduce flame-resistance, so you’ll want to be cautious when using these with baby items. Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls Working in exactly the same way as the dryer sheets, above, these Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls cut the static, erase the wrinkles, and soften your fabrics. The difference? They’re made out of chemical-free wool. Prior to discovering the joy of wool dryer balls, I knew no other way than to use fabric sheets. As someone who tries their hardest to be environmentally conscious, I didn’t feel good about it, so when I discovered dryer balls, I was an immediate convert. Felted in order to create a large, soft ball that bounces around with your clothes, dryer balls cut the drying time. By cutting the drying time, this reduces over-drying. Essentially, all of this works together to cut static, prevent fabric breakdown, and reduce the energy burden created by the dryer in the first place. They’re a totally natural, eco-friendly way to soften your clothes. Bonus: they’re just as good as removing lint and pet hair, too. Pros: Tip: add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the ball before tossing it in the dryer. This’ll have your clothes come out smelling rather lovely. Won’t reduce the flame-resistance in clothing. Save in energy costs by reducing drying time. One dryer ball can be reused many times. Cons: These don’t seem to eliminate static as well on synthetic materials. Downy Infusions Liquid Fabric Conditioner Insomniacs, take note: using this fabric conditioner on your sheets just might help you relax enough to catch a few zzz‘s. With a soft lavender and vanilla bean scent, Downy Infusion’s laundry conditioner will create some seriously calming vibes. Add as much or as little as you’d like for a load of wash that’ll smell and feel downright cozy. Our favorite way to use this? For a bedtime routine that’ll have you drifting off to sleep pronto, use this on your towels, pajamas, and sheets. After a warm, soothing bath, cozying up in your lavender- and vanilla-scented pajamas and sheets is probably the most comforting nighttime routine we could imagine. Pros: Works as an anti-wrinkling agent as well as a fabric conditioner. The scent is long-lasting. You can personalize the power of the scent by adding a little (or a lot) to your wash. Cons: The lid is prone to leaking. It smells delightful as it leaks, but this is kind of a drag. Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheets Speaking from personal experience, laundry detergents and conditioners can be a huge no-no when it comes to sensitivities to scents or harsh ingredients. That’s why after trying these fabric softener sheets, I was an instant fan. Made with zero dyes or fragrances, these plant-based sheets won’t irritate your skin (or nose). Both hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, these dryer sheets work wonders on wrinkles, static, pet hair, and fuzz without irritating your skin. And because scents and dyes can harm your clothes over time, your laundry will thank you, too. Pros: 97% plant-based. Certified B Corporation. What does this mean? Seventh Generation is a company that is certified for fostering better working conditions, communities, and environmental practices. Excellent option for someone with scent or skin sensitivities. Cons: There is a bit of an unpleasant scent to these dryer sheets in the package. However, this scent does not transfer to your laundry whatsoever. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Fabric Softener While I consider myself to be pretty intolerant of scents, I have a friend who has it even worse. One whiff of anything flowery, and she suffers from an instant migraine. Mrs. Meyer’s scents, however, never seem to bother her. Made from plant-derived sources, this fabric softener works naturally to soften your laundry as it cleans. Compatible with HE and classic washing machines and fully biodegradable, it’s not so hard on your clothing either. Less static, fewer wrinkles, and less irritation? Sounds good to me. Pros: Makes for easy ironing. Combine with other Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products to create a signature scent throughout your home. Cruelty-free formula. Cons: Mrs. Meyer’s products are a bit on the pricier side for household cleaning products. Frequently Asked Questions What does fabric softener actually do? Fabric softeners do exactly what the name sounds like: they make your laundered items softer. Meant to be an addition to either the washing machine or to the dryer, this magic weapon against itchy, uncomfortable material is a must. It’ll make everything soft, smooth, and smell amazing. For sensitive skin (or noses), there are options for dye and scent-free products. Whether scented or scent-free, your fabric will feel like butter on your skin and won’t have that obnoxious cling of static electricity. Can you use fabric softeners on everything? There’s a bit of a debate about fabric softeners. Over time, they can break down fabrics, so some folks prefer to use it sparingly. There are options, however, if you’re looking for an alternative that you don’t need to worry so much about. Wool dryer balls are a safe option in terms of chemicals as well as being gentler on your clothes. However, if you have a more casual wardrobe that is perhaps a bit more durable, using any type of fabric softener that you prefer will be just fine. What’s the difference between adding softener to the laundry and adding it to the dryer? The difference is that fabric softener in the washing machine will work even if you line dry. Plus, it’ll really work to soften thicker material in a way that dryer sheets just won’t. However, using dryer sheets is a much more effective product for nixing that static that makes your clothes cling to you. To totally condition and reduce static, you can use both, it’s completely okay to use both. Really, it just depends on your preference.