Dryer sheets aren’t just for drying clothes. The next time you are doing laundry at home, think twice about just using dryer sheets in the dryer alone. There’s a myriad of other clever alternative uses, making dryer sheets a must-have household staple for maintaining and cleaning a home.
From polishing chrome to acting as an air freshener to stopping frizzy hair, the uses of dryer sheets are endless. By the end, you’ll be reaching for your dryer sheets too!
1. Keep suitcases fresh
Not only can you use this tip in your drawers, but this trick is handy for keeping the contents of suitcases and backpacks fresh as well.
Bonus: Stick a dryer sheet in your pet litterbox for a better scent! Even your pets will be happy.
2. Get rid of deodorant marks
We all know that feeling: you try to swipe on some deodorant and end up getting it all over your shirt in the process.
By balling up a dryer sheet — a used one works better — and rubbing the affected area, the stain will disappear in no time.
3. Polish chrome
Instead of using harsh chemicals to clean your bathroom faucets and shower doors, a dryer sheet can do the trick.
Used dryer sheets work wonders for removing watermarks on faucets, and a wet dryer sheet can clean soap scum on shower doors.
4. Air freshener (on fan)
Tape or pin the dryer sheet (scented) to a fan/air unit and have the breeze distribute the aroma around your desired room.
5. Dust off electronics
The softness of the dryer sheet easily wipes away the dust that builds up on electronic devices — computers, laptops, and TV — without damaging the surface.
6. Clean blades of dirty scissors
From overuse, the blades of scissors get dirty quickly, making them less sharp. Try running a dryer sheet over the blades to help remove excess dirt and residue.
7. Dust off ceiling fans
Cleaning ceiling fans can be a hard task, but you actually don’t need a ladder. Place a dryer sheet over a paint roller (one with a long handle), and wipe away the excess dirt on the ceiling fan with ease.
8. Remove lint and pet hair
Dryer sheets cling well onto lint and pet hair that might be left on furniture and clothes. Simply wipe the lint and pet hair off with a clean dryer sheet.
9. Remove bugs from your car
Grab some dryer sheets when wiping off dead bugs from your car, whether that’s on the bumper or the windshield.
10. Clean up dirty markings on your wall
Rub marking on your wall (such as crayon) with a dampen dryer sheet.
11. Clean an iron
Burnt cloth can get stuck beneath an iron and be hard to remove. Luckily, the dryer sheet is here to save the day.
Warm your iron on low and gently rub the plate with a dryer sheet. Continue doing this until all grime and other particles are removed.
12. Make a firestarter
- The next time you do laundry, be sure to save your dryer sheets and dryer lint.
- Take both materials and place them into a toilet paper tube.
- You’ll want to pinch the ends of the toilet paper tube so they don’t fall out.
- Then light up one end, and use it to start a fire. This is a great camping hack!
13. Remove soap scum
Nasty soap scum that exists on faucets can be really hard to remove. Soak the dryer sheet in water (or use with dish soap) and wipe away the soap scum.
14. Clean stainless steel
To buff away fingerprints and smudges, simply wipe a dryer sheet over your stainless steel items, and they’ll look as good as new. This process is especially helpful for refrigerator handles and other appliances that are heavily used.
15. Stop frizzy hair
Got an issue with frizzy hair or static cling? The next time you brush, layer a dryer sheet on top of your hair brush before going about your normal hair routine. This will help prevent cling.
16. Clean dirty pots and pans
Never scrub your dirty dishware again. Instead, fill a dirty pan with warm water and some dish soap. Next, toss a few dry sheets in. Wait an hour or so, and the nasty grime will come right off!
17. Keep your bathroom smelling nice
Bathrooms are probably one of the worst smelling areas of the house. We’ve got a little secret. The next time you mount a new roll of toilet paper, take a dryer sheet and line the inside of your toilet paper roll with it. Every time you roll that toilet paper, more freshness gets pulled into the air.
18. Serve as a car air freshener
Cars are probably one of the most common places we forget to keep fresh. Instead of spending a lot of money on car detailing and maintenance, opt to use dryer sheets in the dead spaces of the car.
19. Prevent bug bites
Out of bug repellent? Repel bugs when heading outside by stuffing dryer sheets in your belt buckle or collar.
20. Clean eyeglasses
If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, dryer sheets are a great alternative to clean eyeglasses. Simply dampen the dryer sheets, and rub them gently across the lenses to remove fingerprints and other smudges.
21. Keep thread from knotting
It’s almost impossible to get knots out of thread while you’re sewing, but running a dryer sheet over it beforehand can help prevent tangles in the first place.
22. Say goodbye to squeaky shoes
Do your shoes squeak when you try to walk?
New shoes, especially running or track sneakers, can have this problem when the bottoms rub against tiles or varnish. Run a dryer sheet over the bottom of your shoes to prevent squeaking.
23. Freshen old books
Don’t you love the smell of new books and the freshly printed pages?
If you’ve got old books around from either a thrift store or on consignment, you might notice they have a musty smell.
To get rid of this, put the old book into an airtight bag along with a dryer sheet. Leave for 1 hr, and say goodbye to musty smells.
24. Dusting replacement
Out of dusting pads?
Use dryer sheets as a replacement for dusting pads as they easily cling onto dust, grime, and hair on the floor. Because dryer pads are thin, you may want to use multiple together when mopping up the floor.