5 New Uses For Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets

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Flickr photo by the Humane Society of the United States

A box of fabric softener sheets can go far beyond the laundry room. Just one sheet (even if it's already used) is able to take the place of a bunch of cleaning products. Here are our favorite uses for this must-have:

- Pot "Scrubber." If you're someone who likes baking your macaroni and cheese, you will agree that the worst part is dealing with the messy baking dish, with the fused noodle/cheese hybrid that takes forever to scrape out. You can try soaking it over night with warm soapy water, but you'll still have to spend lots of time scrubbing out the baked-on bits. Instead, throw a fabric softener sheet into the pot with warm soapy water and leave overnight. The mess will be gone (almost) in the morning.

- Gnats No More. Fabric softener sheets not only repel static cling but pests. A joint study last year by Kansas State University and University of Illinois found out that fabric softener sheets repel gnats. Fabric softener contains chemicals that prevent gnat larva from wreaking havoc on indoor and greenhouse potted plants.

- Pet Hair Remover. Did your cat get hair all over your black pants? Don't worry about it. You can use a fabric softener sheet to remove pet hair from your clothes by rolling the sheet against the offending fur. The sheet fights off the static cling that makes pet hair stick.

- Water Spots Be Gone. Most of us have hard water, which can leave calcium deposits on chrome surfaces (like faucets and handles). It's a pain to clean ... unless you have a dryer sheet. Simply buff the chrome with a sheet to restore the spotless shine.

- Instant Sachets. Not too surprising, but a dryer sheet is great for clearing the air in stinky situations. Just toss one in a gym bag, in the kitchen garbage or even your sneakers. Your friends and family will thank you.

 
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06:23 AM on 01/06/2012
The quickest and cheapest way to get that new car smell is to place a drier sheet in a closed automobile especially in summer. I discovered this secret when I bought my last used car.

Few people realize that drier sheets can also be used in the washing machine. If hard water is a problem a drier sheet thrown in along with detergent can allow the detergent to do it's job better. When washing a small load with a low water level setting throwing a drier sheet into the rinse water will circulate the fabric softener more evenly through all the fabric.
02:58 AM on 01/06/2012
recently i used one in the dryer, to soften my clothes.
11:29 PM on 01/05/2012
if its good enuff for the cat that looks demonically possessed...its good enuff for me!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
dtroppy
09:13 PM on 01/04/2012
What chemicals are used in these sheets?
08:38 PM on 01/04/2012
I would never use dryer sheets on food items or anything connected to food. It is too perfumy to wash offI would never soak pans or any food serving items in fabric softener sheets. Detergent can be rinsed off easily. Have you ever tried to wash any kind of fabric softener off your hands? It is like the plug in deodorizers, it will not wash off right away. However I do use dryer sheets for closets, drawers or any thing that is going to be stored for awhile, but food NOOOO!!!!
07:29 PM on 01/04/2012
I haven't read ALL of the comments, so I don't know if this has been mentioned. I have heard in the past that the dryer sheets are toxic to dogs. Since my dog likes tissue-type things, I'm very cautious about this. Has anyone heard about this?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Bikada
01:41 AM on 01/05/2012
Yes, I have heard they are toxic to dogs.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
riverdivine
07:26 PM on 01/04/2012
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), research studies on SLS have shown potential links to…
Irritation of eyes
Organ toxicity
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and cellular changes
Possible mutations and cancer

Plus, a number of studies report SLS being potentially damaging to oral mucosa and skin. This is not at all surprising since SLS is actually used as a skin irritant during studies where medical treatments for skin irritation require first using an intentionally irritating agent.

Avoiding SLS in your laundry detergent, as well as other personal care products, is a must.
07:26 PM on 01/04/2012
bes

t use for used dryer sheets is......cleaning & wiping electronics like tv & computer screens.

reply
07:24 PM on 01/04/2012
Shame on you for encouraging people to further expose themselves to the nasty chemicals these are loaded with! With so much being written on the "Dirty Dozen" in everyday use products, with organizations like EWG (The Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org) and Healthy Child, Healthy World (www.healthychild.org), out there trying to help us avoid toxic chemicals, I'm saddened to see this kind of really bad advice being promoted! Please do some serious research into why chemical fragrances can be so dangerous to so many.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
riverdivine
07:13 PM on 01/04/2012
Dryer sheets are incredibly toxic, and pollute not only clothes, but the environment. And the authors of this article are suggesting using dryer sheets for the dishes that you eat from???? Insane.

Please do your own research:

http://products.mercola.com/laundry-detergent/
07:09 PM on 01/04/2012
a good suggestion for dyer sheets to keep knats and bugs away, but didn't say if you have to put it around the plants, dampen it and leave it in a container, or what, but ithe suggestion should have included the instructions. not even the University supplied the instructions, just what was in it.
06:21 PM on 01/04/2012
They forgot a great use for fabric softener sheets. If you're trying to style your hair, and it's impossible because of static electricity (especially on cold, dry days), rub your hairbrush with a fabric softener sheet. Static electricity gone in an instant!
06:13 PM on 01/04/2012
A word of caution: using dryer sheets will coat the lint filter of your dryer with a film of fabric softener, thus reducing the amount of air that can get through. It has caused dryer fires before.
Fabric softener itself, whether liquid or a sheet is actually toxic. If you want soft clothes simply use a splash of vinegar instead of fabric softener. Your towels will be more absorbent, too.
06:05 PM on 01/04/2012
Oh is it really that easy.....
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pthesmith
05:47 PM on 01/04/2012
I stick dryer sheets in the folds of the couch.

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