The average American household does around 240 loads of laundry each year, which can add up to a lot of used dryer sheets. Most people toss them after one trip through the dryer, but there are plenty of other ways to put them to work around the house.
Dryer sheets are made to soften fabrics and reduce static, but their texture, fragrance, and anti-static properties can also come in handy for cleaning, freshening rooms, and dealing with everyday messes. Since about 80 percent of U.S. households reportedly use dryer sheets regularly, finding a second use for them can also cut down on waste.
Before you throw a used sheet away, try one of these 15 household tricks.
Dusting
A used dryer sheet can make a handy dusting cloth for baseboards, blinds, shelves, and furniture. The sheet picks up loose dust, while its anti-static properties may help slow down how quickly dust settles again.
There’s no need for a cleaning spray. Just run the sheet over the surface and toss it when you’re finished.
Related: 12 Surprising Problems With Dryer Sheets—and What to Use Instead
Deodorizing Shoes
Got a pair of sneakers that could use some freshening up? Put a used dryer sheet inside each shoe and leave it there overnight.
The sheet won’t magically remove every source of odor, but it can help absorb some smells and leave behind a cleaner scent. It’s an easy trick for gym shoes, hiking boots, work shoes, or anything else that spends a lot of time on your feet.
Freshening Drawers
Dryer sheets can also give drawers, closets, and storage bins a quick scent boost.
Slip a sheet between folded clothes or place one inside a drawer. Replace it every few weeks or whenever the fragrance fades. It’s an inexpensive alternative to buying a separate drawer freshener.
Removing Pet Hair
If you share your home with a dog or cat, you already know how stubborn pet hair can be.
Run a dryer sheet over upholstered furniture, fabric car seats, clothing, or other surfaces covered with loose fur. The sheet can help gather the hair into small clumps, making it easier to pick up afterward.
For heavy buildup, a vacuum or lint roller will still do a better job, but a dryer sheet works well for quick touch-ups.
Related: 13 Unexpected Ingredients Your Laundry Needs!
Repelling Insects
Dryer sheets are sometimes used as a homemade way to discourage mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects because of their fragrance.
People commonly tuck them into pockets, picnic baskets, tents, or outdoor gear. Some even rub them over clothing.
Keep in mind that dryer sheets aren’t a proven replacement for insect repellent. If you’re dealing with mosquitoes or ticks, use a product that is actually labeled for that purpose rather than relying on a dryer sheet.
Unsticking Pots and Pans
A dryer sheet can help loosen stubborn residue from a pot or pan.
Fill the cookware with warm water, add a used or new dryer sheet, and let it sit for an hour or two. The residue may soften enough that you can wipe or scrub it away more easily.
For cookware with a delicate finish, test this method on a small area first and avoid anything abrasive that could scratch the surface.
Cleaning Glass and Mirrors
A dryer sheet can pick up fingerprints and light smudges from mirrors and windows.
For a quick cleanup, wipe the surface with a dry sheet. If you’re dealing with a stubborn mark, lightly dampen the sheet first.
For large windows or heavily dirty glass, regular glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth will usually give you a better finish. Still, dryer sheets can be useful for small jobs.
Removing Soap Scum
A damp dryer sheet can help loosen light soap residue on shower doors, tubs, and bathroom fixtures.
Wet the sheet, gently rub the affected area, and rinse afterward. The texture gives you a little scrubbing action without the roughness of a scouring pad.
Since dryer sheets contain fragrance and other ingredients, rinse the surface well after cleaning and avoid using this method on materials that may react badly to those ingredients.
Related: 13 Items You Should Never Store in Your Laundry Room
Detangling Thread
Anyone who sews, quilts, or embroiders knows how quickly thread can become tangled.
Running thread over a dryer sheet before sewing can help reduce static and keep it from sticking to itself. This can make feeding thread through a needle and working with longer pieces a little easier.
It’s a small trick, but it can save plenty of frustration during a craft project.
Protecting Books
Old books can sometimes develop a musty smell, especially after spending years in storage.
A dryer sheet tucked inside the cover can help mask unpleasant odors and give the book a fresher scent. It’s also useful for secondhand books that have picked up a stale smell.
Don’t press a scented sheet tightly against valuable or delicate pages for long periods, though. For collectible books, proper storage with controlled humidity is a safer choice.
Polishing Stainless Steel
Stainless steel appliances are magnets for fingerprints, smudges, and streaks. A dryer sheet can help wipe away some of that mess.
Rub the sheet gently over refrigerators, dishwashers, range hoods, and other stainless steel surfaces. It can leave the surface looking cleaner while helping remove loose dust.
For a better finish on heavily marked appliances, follow up with a cleaner made for stainless steel.
Related: 12 Laundry Mistakes That Cause Tangled Sheets—and How to Fix Them
Repelling Rodents
Some people place scented dryer sheets in garages, storage boxes, closets, or other areas where they have noticed signs of rodents.
The strong fragrance may discourage some animals from lingering, but dryer sheets aren’t a dependable rodent-control method. If you’re dealing with an infestation, sealing entry points and using appropriate pest-control measures will do far more than relying on scented sheets.
Preventing Static Cling
This is the one use that stays close to the laundry room, but you don’t have to wait until clothes are in the dryer.
Rub a dryer sheet lightly over clothing, curtains, or other fabrics that are clinging together. It can reduce static electricity and help keep fabrics from sticking.
This can be especially handy during dry winter weather, when static seems to show up everywhere.
Deodorizing Trash Cans
Nobody likes opening a trash can and getting hit with an unpleasant smell.
Place a dryer sheet at the bottom of the can beneath the liner. You can also put one inside the bag if you prefer. The fragrance can help mask odors between trash pickups.
Replace the sheet each time you change the bag if you want to keep the scent fresh.
Cleaning Chrome
Dryer sheets can also be useful for wiping down chrome faucets, shower fixtures, and some vehicle surfaces.
Run a dry or slightly damp sheet over the chrome to remove light water spots, fingerprints, and smudges. The soft material is less likely to scratch than a rough cleaning pad.
For bathroom fixtures with heavy mineral buildup, though, a proper cleaner will work better. And if you’re cleaning a car, check the manufacturer’s recommendations before using a dryer sheet on painted or coated surfaces.
Dryer sheets are still primarily a laundry product, but there’s no reason a used sheet has to go straight into the trash. From quick dusting jobs to freshening shoes and drawers, they can get a second life around the house.
Just keep their limitations in mind. Dryer sheets aren’t a substitute for proper pest control, glass cleaner, or specialty cleaning products, and they shouldn’t be used on surfaces that could react badly to their ingredients.
