Throwaway household items like paper towels, napkins, and dryer sheets are a major contributor to America’s landfills. In recent years, the push to “go green” has many consumers looking for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle their most common household products. You may not be able to find a new use for old paper towels, but anti-static sheets can have a use well beyond their time in the dryer.
Instead of throwing them away after the laundry is folded and put away, consider upcycling with these 10 creative ways to reuse dryer sheets.
Pick up pet hair
People with furry friends know the problem of pet hair all too well. An old dryer sheet can pick up pet hair from even the most stubborn surfaces. Run a dryer sheet over your sofa, clothing, and even carpet to pick Fido’s shedding up with ease.
Clean and sharpen scissors
After years of use, scissors get dirty and dull. Instead of throwing away old scissors, use a dryer sheet to remove dirt and residue from the blades. This treatment will also sharpen the blades, making them work just like new.
Clean cookware
Burned food on dishes makes this chore a real task. Instead of hours of scrubbing, fill dirty pots and pans with warm water, add a dryer sheet, and allow to sit overnight. The leftover chemicals in the sheet will help lift up food, making cleaning the next morning a snap.
Clean your windshield
Road grime and bugs stuck on the windshield is both unattractive and annoying for drivers. Remedy this icky problem by spritzing a little water onto a dryer sheet and cleaning your windshield. This method is cheaper than other glass cleaners, and many believe more effective.
Remove dust
Dryer sheets are mainly used for their anti static qualities, which is what makes them perfect for dusting. These clingy sheets easily pick up the dust from wood, glass and other furniture around the house, and can help repel dust in the future.
Repel insects
Bugs are repelled by the strong-smelling chemicals used in dryer sheets, and are known to avoid them. Rather than using harsh pesticides that need to be applied to the skin, place a used dryer sheet under your belt or allow it to hang out of a pocket to keep the bugs away.
Clean the bathroom
Dryer sheets are great for removing soap scum, which makes bathroom cleaning a snap. For bathtubs, sinks, and other areas that collect grime, add a little water to the sheet and use it like you would a sponge.
Prevent garbage odor
You can buy scented garbage bags at the grocery store, but those are more expensive than the non-scented varieties. Place a dryer sheet at the bottom of the garbage can and it will help to prevent smelly odors from spreading across the house.
Freshen pillows
If unexpected company ever pops in, this tip will come in handy. Place a used dryer sheet inside a pillow case and it will smell as if the bedding has been freshly washed!
Clean up dry spills
Because dryer sheets attract dust and other small particles, they make it easy to clean up difficult messes like spilled flour or baby powder. Use a dryer sheet and let it do the work for you.
Most families do several loads of laundry each week, and that can mean a lot of waste from dryer sheets. Reinvent this household staple by finding uses around the home, and pat yourself on the back for doing something green!
Post Author: andyc.
