Dryer sheets are not just for helping in the dryer; there are so many great things one can do with them. Here are some amazing tips:
Dryer sheets can knock the dust off nearly any surface, including furniture, blinds, car interiors, baseboards and moldings.
Tuck some in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture to repel bees from following you around. You can also rub a sheet directly on your bare skin to discourage them from coming near your skin.
Stick a few fabric-sheets in your drawers to keep that “just-washed” smell for weeks. Throw one in your dirty clothes hamper to prevent any odors from escaping into your bedroom.
Lightly wet a used dryer sheet and scrub to remove soap build-up and mineral deposits from your faucets.
Rub a dryer sheet on the inside of winter hats to avoid “static hair syndrome” when the hat is taken off. Also, pat yourself with a sheet to combat static on your clothes, stockings, etc. If you run out of Static Guard, this works just as well.
When you finish drying a load, hold onto the dryer sheet and wipe down the inside of your dryer’s drum, your lint trap, the outside of your washing machine and dryer, and scrub away any excess or spilled laundry detergent.
The cling of a dryer sheet is also perfect to wipe up pet hair from your furniture, or even your own hair from your bathroom.
Toss a dryer sheet in the toes of your shoes to minimize odors and prolong the just-purchased smell.
Place a few dryer sheets in between items in your suitcase to keep both your clothes fresh and to prevent your items from picking up any mustiness from old luggage.
Keep your used dryer sheets in your diaper bag, and roll one up in the diaper to prevent odors before you have to chance to throw it away.
Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water with a dryer sheet or two. This has always been my cholent pot favorite tip of all times.
Placing a dryer sheet in new books or photo albums will keep them smelling fresh, and can combat the musty paper smell of used or old books.
Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.
Use dryer sheets to keep out mice, skunks, squirrels, rats, etc., from your basement, garages, boats and/or campers.
Stash dryer sheets under your car seats and floor mats, and in your glove box and trunk for fresh scents as you travel.
Hide dryer sheets in drawers, behind computers, and in cabinetry to keep your workspace fresh, and combat your co-workers awful perfume or stale cigarette scent.
Keep a new dryer sheet in your sewing kit. Thread a needle and poke it into the sheet and out the other side before knotting the thread. The thread will not tangle.
For a spill that is particularly smelly–think vomit, soured milk, urine–wipe up the spill, then place three layers of dryer sheets on top of the spot. Sprinkle coffee grounds on top of that. Overnight the area will be totally deodorized.
Dryer sheets are great for getting dry sand off skin after a day at the beach with the kiddies. Wipe yourself down with a dryer sheet and the sand will disappear. You may have to use a couple of layers, but when you try this you’ll be amazed at how the used dryer sheets will pick up dirt, dust, and hair off the floor just as well as the Swiffer cloths do. So if you are out of Swiffer cloths, try this.
Have tough water stains in your toilet? Toss two dryer sheets into your toilet and let them sit. Use your toilet brush to scrub the stains.
Having trouble cleaning your oven racks? Who doesn’t after a marathon of Shabbos cooking? Soak racks in the bathtub overnight. Soak in hot water, a half cup of Dawn dish soap, and 8 dryer sheets. Use dryer sheets to wipe off any extra grease.
Your child crayoned where he wasn’t supposed to?? Rub the area lightly with a clean, dry fabric softener sheet and watch the crayon marks disappear.
Hope you enjoy!!!
Gail Hochman has been a resident of Bergen County for over 30 years and has been blessed with many grandchildren.
By Gail Hochman
