Dryer Sheets Uses #1: Use Old Sheets As Dust Cloths

What are your dryer sheet uses? I thought about this recently when I got this great little comment from Stephanie on the site's Facebook wall.

Stephanie says:

I'm a sheet person, not tried the bar. I like the sheet, once used I throw in a container to use later and use like a duster in the bathrooms and baseboards. They remove any dust or hair caught on top of sinks or the toilet. :D

Taylor says:

I love to find more uses for common items in our home, and that includes finding other uses for dryer sheets.

I hadn't thought about dusting with them after use in the dryer, but it seems perfectly obvious once she said it.

I already like to cut my fabric softener sheets in half, so that I can get more bang for my buck. They seem to work as well with just half a sheet, and of course I then save money by not having to buy them as often. Now, I can get even more use out of them before I throw them away by using them as little quick dusters too!

Do you have a favorite dusting tool? If so, I'd love for you to share your dusting tools reviews here, or you can read others that have already been submitted by other readers.

By the way, the picture to the right is showing a guy who made a shirt out of old Bounce dryer sheets. That is definitely not a conventional use for these items, but I did think it was quite imaginative, which is why I put up the picture.

In addition, I received this idea for using this common laundry supply as a way to prevent mice from coming in your home.

I would love to hear even more dryer sheets uses ideas and tips from you, for all around your home. You can share your helpful household hints here, telling me unusual uses for everyday items, or read other ideas already submitted.

This page has been really popular, and I keep getting more and more uses sent in by readers, and I keep updating it. I've got over 20 now, so check them all out below!


Second photo by Wesley Chau

Use #2: Rub Away Deodorant Marks On Clothes With Used Dryer Sheet

You know when you're in a hurry and apply deodorant too soon before putting on your shirt, or even put it on while you have your shirt on. Sometimes you get white marks on your clothes.

If you notice them while they're fresh and new, here's a way to make them disappear.

This video suggests to use an old used dryer sheet for the task.

Here's an example of how it works in action:

There are actually lots of ways to rub away deodorant marks. You can find out more ways to make your own deodorant remover here!

Used Dryer Sheets Great For Spot Cleaning Mirrors

by Kathy Seja

Kathy says:

They are excellent for spot cleaning mirrors, especially water spots in the bathroom.

When my house was on the market and I had to clean the mirrors every morning before work the old sheets were a time and lifesaver.

One used sheet took care of every mirror quickly and left them spotless.

Now I keep them near the baths for quick touch-ups daily, cutting down on the heavier cleaning needed weekly.

Taylor says:

Thanks so much Kathy!

You can check out even more water stain removal tips and tricks here for all types of surfaces in your home.

Photo courtesy of Wonderlane

Cleaning Bathroom Faucets

Wendy says:

I use them to clean spots and soap scum from bathroom sink faucets and cleaning the bathroom mirror. Works great without any cleaning product!

Hannah says:

I like using a used one to polish the bathroom faucets. Never thought about the mirrors! Thanks!

Photo courtesy of jnyemb

Static Control For Hair, Clothes & More

Rebecca says:

I rub them in my hair when I have static, calms it right down.

Same thing, you can rub them on your nylons or clothes to help rid them of static.

GHG1 says:

The active ingredient in dryer sheets is an anti-static agent. When winter's dry air shows up, I rub the (unscented) dryer sheet onto my electric light switches, shoe bottoms, clothing to stop getting shocked.

Yes, it is magic.

Katie says:

We use a dryer bar, but I keep the "all-natural" dryer sheets from the co-op on hand for one hilarious purpose: de-staticking the cat in the winter!

She gets so upset by all the little zap moments, I feel bad, so I learned about rubbing her down VERY lightly with the chemical-free sheets. Works really well.

Photo courtesy of popofatticus

Freshen Luggage & Drawers While Traveling & At Home

by Dannette

I use my dryer sheets in my luggage, then take extra for the drawers and closets in the hotel to keep my clothes fresh.

I also use them on the pillows and blankets to eliminate the odd hotel odors.

I keep them in my toiletry bag inside a ziplock bag so I always have them.

I use them in my drawers at home as well.

You can cut the new sheets into 4 pieces and they last a very long time.

Photo courtesy of TFDuesing

Shine Up Your Dress Shoes

by Pam

Used dryer sheets are great for dusting and shining dress shoes!

Also great for stuffing sneakers to freshen them!

Photo courtesy of goblinbox_(queen_of_ad_hoc_bento)

Dust Your Blinds With Fabric Softener Sheets

Amy says:

I use used ones to dust my blinds. Takes longer for the dust to stick.

Photo courtesy of Renato Ganoza, from Flickr CC

Fabric Freshener For My Upholstered Furniture

by Brenda
(Nashville, TN)

Brenda says:

I dampen my Bounce sheets and wipe down my microfiber sofa and fabric sofa.

It cleans and makes them smell fresher.

Similarly, Ann had a similar suggestion.

Ann says:

I use used dryer sheets to clean my cloth furniture.

I have pets and it works great and deodorizes at same time.

Photo courtesy of TheLivingRoominKenmore

Get Burnt Food Unstuck From Your Pots & Pans

Amie says:

Put one or two dryer sheets in the affected pan, and add water to cover dryer sheets. Go to sleep. Wake up in amazement how the stuff is dissolved and can be effortlessly removed.

Sharon Ray says:

Fill your pots and pans with hot water, put one dryer sheet in, and let it soak. The food will wipe right out.

Photo courtesy of Rochelle, just rochelle

Get Bugs Off Your Windshield

by Sheila

My husband uses them on the front of the car to get the bugs off. Works great.

Photo courtesy of H Dragon

Remove Soap Scum From Shower Doors

SR101 Reader 1 says:

I have used dryer sheets on shower doors.

Wet them, then clean off fabric softener with glass cleaner, and it leaves the doors soap scum free.

SR101 Reader 2 says:

I clean my glass shower doors.

Wet them a little, and then wipe the sheet all over the glass and rinse. It gets all the soap, shampoo, etc. off.

You can learn more about how to remove and clean soap scum here.



Photo courtesy of Carissa GoodNCrazy

Freshen Up Your Vacuum

by Fran
(Florida)

Fran says:

I cut a dryer sheet into fourths and put the piece in the vacuum.

We have 7 Cockers and therefore lots of dust bunnies. Although we have tile throughout the house except for the four bedrooms the vacuum gets a good workout.

After vacuuming I clean the container and put a fresh quarter sheet in and I'm ready for next time. And I do get multiple uses from each quarter sheet.

Photo courtesy of WordRidden

Layer Used Sheets At Bottom Of Flower Pots

by SR101 Reader

I put used dryer sheets in the bottom of flower pots, over the holes, double layer, to prevent potting soil/mix from running out.

It works better than old pot shards.

Photo courtesy of fra-NCIS

Cleaning & Dusting Baseboards

by Jos

Jos says

I use them to clean dust off baseboards. Like magic!!

Photo courtesy of gemteck1

Freshen Fabrics For Storage

by Wanda

Packing those blankets away, well add a dryer sheet and next fall you won't have to wash the blankets.

Also put a dryer sheet in those baby clothes when you pack them away.

Photo courtesy IngaMun

Make A Fire Starter Using Used Dryer Sheets

Melanie says:

And after they have been used a few times stuff toilet paper rolls with them and use as a fire starter.

Pete says:

Cardboard egg cartons. Wad the dryer lint and dryer sheet together, stuff into the egg carton then seal with paraffin wax to hold together. Camping fire starters.

Jodee says:

I use the used ones for fire starters inside of end rolls of TP with the dryer lint.

Taylor says:

I thought this one needed a bit more explanation so I scoured YouTube trying to find a good explanation video.

I found this one, which ironically, only uses the dryer lint, not the dryer sheets, but I could see you easily adding the sheets in place of, or along side, the lint.



Photo courtesy of Samuel M. Livingston

Clean And Dust Ceiling Fans

Darlene says:

Clean the blades on ceiling fans with the used ones!

Photo courtesy of .Larry Page

Mosquito & Other Insect Repellent

Nicole says:

I always have an unused sheet or two in my pocket to keep the mosquitoes away!!! It works and it's cheap! :-D

Chelle says:

I put them around the house as a mosquito repellant.

SR101 reader says:

We get mosquitos on our storm door, especially in the morning. A couple dryer sheets between the top and bottom glass keeps them away.

Stephanie says:

My grandfather always clipped a dryer sheet to his shirt pocket to keep the bugs away from him when ever he was mowing the pasture.

So when I go camping every year I hang up dryer sheets up in the restrooms at the state parks to ward off any wasp while I was using the restroom or taking a shower.

It really does work and it makes the place smell fresh!

Taylor says:

I just thought this picture was funny, but you definitely don't need to put the dryer sheets on your head for this to work, although this woman was doing it for that purpose.

As others have suggested, you can keep them in your pocket, and that works just as well! :)

Photo courtesy of Didriks

Control Odor In Stinky Shoes

Denise says:

I place them in shoes. Keeps the smelly feet at bay.

Photo courtesy of Hugo y Charli

Dust Your TV & Other Electronics Screens With Them To Reduce Static

by Monika Horsley

I use them to dust off the TVs.

It keeps the static down which means less dust.

Photo courtesy of JVCAmerica, from Flickr CC

Freshen Up Your Kitchen Trash Cans

Leslie says:

I place one in my kitchen garbage then place my garbage bag in the can. Nice smelling garbage, lol.

Photo courtesy of lovinkat

Use In Place Of Disposable Pads On Sweeper Mop

by Tammy

Tammy says:

Another use is I use the cheaper brand to put on my sweeper mop, instead of buying the expensive disposable dry cloths.

It works really well.

Brenda asked:

Can you tell me if you use fresh or used dryer sheets for swifter sweepers?

Taylor's answer:

That's a good question Brenda, one that Tammy didn't mention. But I'll give you my best stab at an answer although if others do this trick as well I'd love to hear what you say. But I would say use a used sheet for this purpose.

The reason is that it is the used sheets which are great to use as a dust cloth, and this is basically how you're using them in this instance as well, just at the end of your Swiffer Sweeper.

I think a new sheet might spread some of the wax that covers it onto your floors, and that could be messy or make things slick.

***Update: Another reader, Tamra, confirmed that at least she uses the used ones for this purpose. She said, "The used ones also work great with a Swiffer."

Use As A Fabric Stabilzer Alternative For Sewing Fashion Doll Clothes

by SR101 Reader

I use used ones for stabilizers when sewing fashion doll clothes (like for Barbie).

Photo courtesy of RomitaGirl67

Place In Smelly Gym Or Sports Bags

Kim says:

I put them in my daughter's sports bag where she keeps her volleyball shoes and knee pads. Helps control the smell!

Photo courtesy of hotmayo

Car And Room Air Freshener

SR101 Reader says:

Thread a couple through the "chicken wire" side of your a/c unit filter...mmmmmm smells good!!!

Dena says:

I put them under my seats in the car, so my car always smells clean and fresh.

Tammy says:

I put them over my vents in my home, makes the house smell really good.

Photo courtesy of madgerly

More Uses For Dryer Sheets Around Your Home

Here's a video sharing 6 uses for dryer sheets.

Many of these have to do with freshening your home, such as using the scent from the sheet to generally keep your home, shoes, luggage and bathroom smelling nice.

In addition, you can rub a fresh sheet on your TV or other electronics to reduce static electricity, and eliminate dust from sticking to the screen, and similarly reduce static electricity from your own clothing this way too.

Finally, it suggests using a used sheet to remove soap scum from your bathtub or shower doors.

You can watch the video for full details here:

I'd love to hear your ideas too! You can share your helpful household hints here!

Loosen Dried Oatmeal From Crock Pot With Fabric Softener Sheet

by Robin
(Kentucky)

Robin says:

We were in the mother in law's kitchen this afternoon and I was cleaning a crock pot that had been used that morning and now had dried oatmeal stuck in it.

It was ugly.

I told my husband I was just getting the worst part off, and then taking it home and planning to let it soak in warm water with a dryer sheet to loosen the rest of the dried oatmeal before putting it in the dishwasher.

Taylor says:

That's a great tip Robin, thanks for sharing!

Sometimes it can be hard to loosen stuck on food, and oatmeal is almost like glue sometimes isn't it?

If anyone knows anymore tips for cleaning small appliances, such as a slow cooker, click the link to share them, or check out the other ones already submitted.

In addition, I would bet this tip would also work well for cleaning pots and pans too!

Finally, I'm sure there are lots of other uses for these little fabric softener sheets! If you've used them in another way please share them with me here and I'll add them to the page.

Photo courtesy of SaucyGlo

Related Pages You May Enjoy

Helpful Household Hints For Around Your Home

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Unusual Dryer Sheet Uses Around Your Home To Home Page