Dryer sheets are not only a must-have in your laundry routine, but they have awesome uses all over your house. Learn smart household hacks to reuse for dryer sheets before you toss them in the trash.
1. Freshen Gym Bags
Your stinky gym bag doesn’t have to be that way. Banish unpleasant odors from your bag by popping a few dryer sheets inside. Stick them in the main compartment and various pockets to avoid lugging around an offensive scent.
2. Insect Repellent
Ward off a variety of bugs with dryer sheets. Stuff them in your shirt pocket while working or playing outside to keep mosquitoes from feasting on your blood.
3. Remove Pet Hair From Surfaces
No matter how diligent a duster or vacuumer you may be, you’re bound to spot stray pet hairs in your home at any one time. Keep a few dryer sheets on hand to quickly scoop up pet hair without hauling out the vacuum, broom, or duster.
4. Freshen Your Car
The small, enclosed space of a vehicle is the perfect environment for everyday odors to build up and cling. That fast-food treat you enjoyed a few days ago? The smell is probably still lingering in your car. Hide dryer sheets around your vehicle to banish stubborn stinks.
5. Remove Dust From Surfaces Around Your Home
The clingy material of dryer sheets is perfect for picking up dust around your home. Keep used dryer sheets on hand and double their life by using them to dust the furniture and other parts of your living space. It’s cheaper than investing in a fancy duster.
6. Freshen Rooms In Your Home
If you’re unable to open windows to let in fresh air (because you don’t want to let cool air escape in the summer or it’s below zero outside), freshen up your living space by putting dryer sheets in front of a fan or near air vents.
7. Deodorize Your Trash Can
No matter how hard you try, your kitchen waste bin eventually starts to smell. Even if you’re diligent in taking out the trash, the area is a haven for odors.
Keep the offending smells from permeating your home by sticking a few dryer sheets in the bottom of the receptacle.
8. Get Great Smelling Luggage
Give TSA inspectors a burst of freshness by stocking your luggage with dryer sheets. Instead of opening a stale, stuffy suitcase upon arrival, you’ll enjoy the delightful scent of your favorite dryer sheets.
9. Use Them To Clean Your Pots And Pans
Soak your super dirty pots and pans with a dryer sheet to help loosen grit and grime. This trick is especially useful for cookware that has burned bits of stuck-on food. The longer they soak, the easier it’ll be to wipe the surface clean.
10. Use Instead Of A Dust Mop Pad
Did you run out of Swiffer pads and need to dust your floors pronto? Are you fed up buying replacement pads for your mop? Whatever your need, try swapping a dryer sheet for the regular pad. It’s an inexpensive solution when you’re in a pinch or don’t have the budget to buy new.
11. Wipe Down Your Baseboards
Cleaning baseboards is an annoying task. A vacuum can’t reach the odd-shaped crevices. A duster isn’t powerful enough to grab all the dirt, and if you use anything damp or wet, you’re likely to spread grime rather than clean them. Use a dryer sheet to wipe away dust from baseboards, and stand back to inspect a job well done.
12. Tackle Dry Spills
Dryer sheets are exceptionally adept at picking up dry spills. So next time you spill flour, salt, or sugar, set aside your sponge and grab a dryer sheet.
13. Freshen Your Stinky Shoes
Are you a runner? Or dealing with extra sweaty feet? When stowing your shoes, slip in a few dryer sheets to banish the stink.
14. Get Rid Of Stubborn Carpet Odors
Before vacuuming, place a dryer sheet in your canister to help get rid of carpet smells, and freshen your home as you pick up dust and dirt.
15. Handle Kid-Related Messes
Dryer sheets are an efficient choice for cleaning up messes left behind by little ones — like crayon marks on the wall or furniture.
16. Add Them To Plant Pots
Add a dryer sheet to your potted plants to keep away pests. A dryer sheet placed at the bottom of a pot will also prevent soil from spilling out at the bottom, so you can transport your plants without leaving a trail of dirt in your wake.
17. Bring Them To The Beach
Heading out on a day trip to the beach? Going on vacation? It might be wise to bring along a few dryer sheets to brush off stray sand. The clingy material is excellent at picking up left behind bake good crumbs, so why not sand, too?
18. Toss One In Your Diaper Hamper
Immediately put a stop to diaper smells by throwing a dryer sheet or two into the baby’s diaper hamper.
19. De-Static Your Hairbrush
Using a staticky brush will leave you with flyaway hair. Free your hairbrush of static with a dryer sheet.
20. Start A Fire
Making a DIY emergency kit? Add a few dryer sheets to the mix. They’re super flammable and the perfect kindling when nothing else is available.
21. Scrub Your Oven
As with pots and pants, a dryer sheet can help you tackle dirty oven racks and get them looking almost good as new again.
22. Wipe Down Chrome Surfaces
Clean faucets and other chrome plumbing fixtures with a dryer sheet, and leave behind a sparkly, sleek surface.
23. Clean Your Glasses
Throw a few dryer sheets in your purse for times you need to clean your glasses on the go.
24. Remove Dead Bugs From Your Car’s Grill
Do you know how nasty your car or truck gets after a road trip? Rather than scrubbing those dead bugs from the front of your car, wipe the grill with a dryer sheet or two.
25. Deodorize Your Bathroom
Stick dryer sheets behind towels (or wherever there’s a hiding spot) to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.