The dryer sheet tips I’ll be sharing with you in this post aren’t just for people looking for ways to use up an old stash of dryer sheets. They can be just as useful to those who use dryer sheets in their dryers, because many of the tip work just as well with a used dryer sheet as they do with a new one!
I was inspired to seek out uses for dryers sheets a few years back. I had recently started using dryer balls instead of sheets, and wasn’t sure what to do with the remaining dryer sheets left in my cupboard. But I ended up discovering the plethora of great uses for dryer sheets I’ll share with you here.
Being able to use something you would otherwise throw out is always a good thing in my book! And even though I generally prefer my homemade fabric softeners or dryer balls, those old dryer sheets have certainly come in handy, thanks to the tips in this post!
11 Practical Uses for Dryer Sheets
1. Erase Deodorant Marks
No one wants to leave the house with unsightly deodorant marks on their shirt! Use a dryer sheet to quickly get deodorant marks off your clothes, and you’ll be out the door in no time!
2. Remove Crayon Marks
You can use a dryer sheet to help remove crayon marks after little ones have used your walls or tabletops as a canvas. Just rub the crayon marks lightly with a clean dryer sheet and the marks will disappear.
3. Clean Your Iron
You can use a dryer sheet to help remove gunk from the plate of your clothes iron. Lay a dryer sheet out on your ironing board, and set your iron to its lowest heat setting. Once it has warmed up, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue is gone and the plate is clean.
4. Clean Up Pet Hair
Dryer sheets can be really helpful in pet owners’ continual efforts to remove pet hair from, well, everywhere! Cleaning with dryer sheets works well for getting pet hair off of flooring, furniture, toys, lampshades, and even clothes.
5. Fix Problematic Scissors
Are your scissors not cutting as smoothly as they should be? A dryer sheet can help! Just (carefully) run a used dryer sheet over the blades of your scissors, and the residue will lubricate the blades and help your scissors glide more smoothly.
6. Clean Bugs Off Your Car
Use a damp dryer sheet to gently scrub bugs off of your car’s windshield and bumper. The sheets are abrasive enough to remove stubborn bug marks, but not so harsh that they’ll damage your car’s paint or finish.
Related: 18 Brilliant Car Cleaning Hacks
7. Remove and Repel Dust
Use a dryer sheet to dust baseboards, crown molding, cabinets, and even electronics. Not only will this genius dusting hack help you pick up dust, but it will also leave behind a thin layer of residue that can help prevent dust from settling in the future.
8. Make a Fire Starter
Place used dryer sheets (and dryer lint, if you have some!) into a cardboard toilet paper tub, then fold or pinch the ends of the tube to keep the contents inside. Light one end of your DIY fire starter, and you’ll have a fire going in no time!
9. Scour Soap Scum
Dryer sheets are surprisingly effective at removing soap scum, and pair perfectly with my homemade shower cleaner to clean shower doors and other bathroom surfaces. Just dampen a used dryer sheet with a few drops of water, then scrub away soap scum on your shower door, shower curtain, sink and tile. The gunk will practically slide off!
10. Keep Potting Soil Contained
Place a few used dryer sheets at the bottom of a pot the next time you’re potting plants or flowers. The dryer sheets will help keep the soil from falling out of the drainage holes when you water your pots.
More Ideas You'll Love
11. Fight Hair Static
Rub a dryer sheet on the inside of your favorite hats to prevent your hair from getting all static-y when you take off your hat. (You can even rub a dryer sheet right on your hair to help prevent flyways!)
Related: 11 Simple Solutions to Common Beauty Emergencies
Looking For More Posts Like This?
- I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
- Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.
What other uses for dryer sheets would you add to this list?
Thanks for the tips, I am enjoying reading your column first thing every morning! Keep up the good work!
Just a note, your autocorrect changed “bugs” to “plugs” on #6. Darned autocorrect lol!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Used dryer sheets are great for shining bathroom and kitchen taps. I always take a new dryer sheet with me when i travel and rub it on the inside of any item of clothing that has static.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do we use a fresh dryer sheet or a used one for #1? (It’s also unclear for a few others…)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree. Do you use used or new ones, and is scented or unscented better? There’s a film on the scented onesl. Thank you, Janice
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A new one works really well for getting deodorant off of clothing – but an old one will still do the trick! Old ones can be used for everything on the list, but fresh ones are a little scrubbier :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I assumed that unless you specifically indicated “used” dryer sheets you were referring to new ones but I was glad you confirmed it.