7 Uses for Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets were first called “tumble puffs” and invented in the 1960s by a chemist who wanted to help his wife with the laundry. Did you know that dryer sheets offer more than making your clothes smell fresh?

1. Prevent bug bites. Tie a dryer sheet to your lawn chair or belt loop to ward off pesky insects.
2. Calm pets. Thunder may not be the only reason your dog hides storms. Static electricity can fill the air and accumulate in your pet’s coat, causing anxiety. Rub a dryer sheet across the body to prevent static.
3. De-gunk hairbrushes. Place a dryer sheet in a bowl of warm water. Add brushes and let soak for 30 minutes. The dryer sheet breaks down grime so its easy to remove with a cloth or toothbrush.
4. Loosen food residue. If you have a baking sheet with burnt-on food, place a dryer sheet on the pan, fill with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Let sit an hour and wipe the baking sheet.
5. Make your screen shine. Since television and computer screens are electrically charged, they tend to attract dust particles. Lucky for us, dryer sheets are designed to reduce static cling—meaning they remove the dust and prevent it from resettling.
6. Wipe windshield and bumper. Dampen a fresh or used dryer sheet and run it along your windshield and bumper. The dead bugs and dirt will disappear.
7. Tame your hair. Run a dryer sheet from root to tip and you’ll soon be winning the war on frizz and static.

Nancy Roe
Author