10 brilliant uses for dryer sheets
Calm Buster’s storm anxiety
If your pup seems to get spooked by seasonal thunderstorms, there may be a buildup of static electricity in the air and on his fur that’s setting his nerves on edge. To help calm him fast, try rubbing his fur with a dryer sheet. The charged fabric will neutralize the static to soothe his anxiety.
Keep mice out of your space
No need to use poisons or traps to stop unwanted critters from popping up in your garage or basement. Instead, stuff a scented dryer sheet into any openings where the pests seem to be entering your home. The intense fragrance of the sheets will deter the mice, so they’ll steer clear of your area.
Wipe up dry spills effortlessly
Oops! While whipping up cupcakes for the church bake sale, you spill flour on your counter. Instead of cleaning the mess with a paper towel, which won’t pick up all the powder, wipe the counter with a dryer sheet. The tightly woven fibers in the sheet will capture all the tiny particles.
Dust-proof electronic screens
You clean your tablet regularly, but it never seems to take long for a new layer of dust to settle. To minimize buildup, use a dryer sheet to gently wipe down the screen. The sheet’s anti-static properties will cut down on static electricity that can cause dust to cling to the screen.
Easily remove glitter nail polish
You gave yourself a sparkling manicure for a party but now the glitter polish won’t come off. The save: Dab nail polish remover on a dryer sheet and use it to scrub your nails. The sheet’s rough texture will pull off the stubborn glitter.
Ensure chrome fixtures sparkle
To ward off fingerprints and water spots on freshly cleaned chrome, buff them with a dryer sheet. The sheet will leave behind a waxy residue that repels water and oil, keeping your fixtures spotless.
Restore a handheld vacuum’s power
If your handheld vacuum isn’t picking up grime like it used to, there may be static buildup in the canister, which prevents dirt particles from flowing freely. The fix: Cut off a thin strip of a dryer sheet and suck it up with the vacuum. After a few seconds, turn off the machine and empty the canister. The dryer sheet will neutralize static to boost your vac’s dust-busting power.
Eliminate stuck-on food from dishes
Your tuna casserole was a hit at dinner, but your favorite pan is covered in caked-on food. The no-scrub trick to get it clean: Fill the dish with hot water and lay a dryer sheet on top, then let it soak overnight. Softening agents in the sheet will break down the stuck-on food bits while you sleep. In the morning, simply dump out the water and wash the dish as usual.
De-gunk hairstyling tools
If your curling iron has a layer of hairspray caked on the metal surface, try this to remove the residue: Turn the appliance to the lowest heat setting, then slip your hand into an oven mitt and use it to carefully swipe a dryer sheet over the warm plate surface. The heat will loosen the grime so you can scrub it off with the abrasive dryer sheet.
Freshen an old, musty book
You found your favorite childhood book tucked away in a box in the attic and can’t wait to pass it along the little one in your life. But all those years in storage left the pages smelling mildewy. To eliminate the odor, place a used dryer sheet in the center of the book, close it and leave for 24 hours. The sheet’s porous fibers will absorb moisture in the paper and leave behind a pleasant scent.