We have not used dryer sheets in over five years. When we lived in Florida, the persistent high humidity minimized static cling, and our laundry items were soft enough, and we don't like most scents, so we just never used them.
But then we moved to a very arid area that has burn bans and that is just crazy dry and all of a sudden the laundry was coming out of the dryer in big staticky balls and I was making sparks when I used light switches. SO DRY. So, dryer sheets.
Something else absent from our lives was (still is, but I'm making excuses here for past behavior) Whole Foods. This was not an issue at all, but sometimes, when I lived near a WF, I would browse the products and see what was available and interesting and overpriced. So that is my excuse for not knowing about compostable dryer sheets: no Whole Foods browsing. Also, not much interest in doing online research.
Then came the static and I made a note to find unscented dryer sheets, thinking that they did not exist. Then I was at our local Fresh Market (used to be an IGA) and saw the Arm & Hammer Fresh'n Soft dryer sheets and immediately bought a box. It said "FREE of Perfumes and Dyes" and that was what I wanted. Yay. But now I have all these used dryer sheets that do not really break down in the compost bin and I remembered seeing several Pinterest boards and pins about dryer sheets and figured I could do some research and find some uses for the fabric.
Then I was looking for patterns to make a log carrier and found An Oregon Cottage and read about ePantry [that is a referral link, BTW - here is a non-referral link, but I think you get free shipping and some discounts if you sign up with a referral code: ePantry] and discovered a brand that makes compostable dryer sheets that come in both BLUE EUCALYPTUS AND LAVENDER and FREE & CLEAR: Seventh Generation. I haven't tried them yet, but I will report my experiences with them once I do.
In the meantime, let's look at some of the alternative uses for dryer sheets that are completely synthetic and not compostable. Most lists include some uses for used dryer sheets but are mainly centered on using the new sheets' smell in different ways. But Apartment Therapy came up with a great list of 20 uses for used dryer sheets, and here it is:
1. Use it to dust your television screen. The anti-static chemicals in a dryer sheet will help to repel dust and lint.
2. Use old dryer sheets to easily wipe up talcum powder, flour, and other messes of this type.
3. Used sheets usually have enough fragrance in them to freshen up other areas in your home. Stuff them in tennis shoes, place them in closets, in laundry hampers and in pieces of luggage -- anywhere your house needs a little "refreshment."
4. Run a sheet over a piece of thread when you're doing sewing tasks. The thread won't tangle up as easy.
5. Have pet hair on your clothing? Simply wipe it off with a used dryer sheet! Also works great on cloth furniture too!
6. Keep dust and other contaminants off your glass computer screen by carefully wiping it with an old sheet.
7. Did you purchase some old, musty books at a garage sale or thrift shop? Make them smell good again! Simply place the books in a sealed plastic bag with a used dryer sheet. Allow the bag to sit undisturbed for a day or two, then remove the contents. The musty smell will be gone!
8. Got a problem with mice? Find where they are entering your house and stuff the hole shut with a used sheet. Mice won't chew through the smelly material.
9. Place a used dryer sheet in the bag of your vacuum. Sweep your house, and, once you're done, the air will smell as fresh as your clothes do.
10. These wonders of the 70's are also said to repel mosquitoes as well as other annoying, flying insects. Don't rub it on you. Instead, stick a used sheet in your belt loop.
11. You can use dryer sheets to clean and polish the chrome on your vehicles.
12. Is there a build-up of soap scum on your glass shower door? Simply use an old dryer sheet to eliminate the mess.
13. Is the interior of your car or truck smelling a little stale? Forget the pine tree on a string! Place a few used dryer sheets under the seats of your vehicle instead!
14. Use sheets to clean and polish the glass lens of your eye glasses. They're not recommended for plastic lens, though!
15. Is your hair dry and full of static electricity? Gently wipe a used dryer sheet over your head to get rid of it.
16. Dryer sheets make great dusting cloths for your wooden furniture.
17. Help keep dust and other contaminants out of your house. Simply place a used sheet inside every furnace/AC register in your house. Make sure it covers the openings and replace once they are dirty.
18. Keep your window blinds clean longer by wiping them periodically with used dryer sheets. The anti-static properties of the product will actually help to repel dust and dirt.
19. Are your scissors not cutting as smooth as they should? Wipe the blades clean with a used dryer sheet to remedy this problem.
20. Used dryer sheets make great little cloths for quick shine ups in the bathroom and kitchen too. Just use one on each of your chrome faucets and see how brightly they shine!
[Emphases mine...]
So, some interesting uses for used dryer sheets. A few of the suggestions rely on residual smell from scented sheets, but the majority focus on the anti-static and clingy properties of the synthetic fabric. Now I have uses for the Arm & Hammer sheets and when the Seventh Generation ones arrive, I will try some of the tips above before putting the used sheets into the compost bin.
Feel free to share your uses of USED dryer sheets and your experiences with alternative products!
