Learn more helpful uses for dryer sheets below.

What Are Dryer Sheets?

Dryer sheets are materials made with a polyester substrate, non-woven base, or recyclable cellulose base.

person using a dryer sheet on a sofa

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

The sheets are coated with silicone-based fabric softeners that transfer to clothes when heat-activated in a dryer.

Allow the pan to soak overnight.

The silicone coating on the dryer sheet will help soften the food.

using dryer sheets to scrub pots and pans

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

The following day, use the dryer sheet to wipe away the food.

Finish the task bywashing the pot or panwith dishwashing detergent and hot water to remove any remaining residue.

Tip

The polyester-based non-woven dryer sheets are best for pet hair removal.

pet dog on a bed

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Freshen Stinky Shoes and Quiet Squeaky Soles

Tennis shoes canget dirty and smelly.

Add a scented dryer sheet to shoes and boots that have gotten too ripe.

Cut each sheet in half for kids' shoes or ladies' pumps and still get great results.

cat on a sofa

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

If shoes with squeaky rubber soles drive you crazy, dryer sheets can quiet them down.

Get Rid of Embarrassing Static Cling

Fabric softener or dryer sheets are commonly used toreduce static cling.

The silicon coating will help the thread smoothly through the fabric.

putting dryer sheets in smelly shoes

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Clean Electronics Screens

Use a dry dryer sheet to dust television and computer monitor screens.

The silicon coating on the dryer sheet will pick up dust and help to reduce static.

Remember, never use a dryer sheet that is already dampened on electronics.

static cling on a shirt

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

The moisture can harm screens.

Rub the dampened dryer sheet on the bottom of a cold iron.

This same method works for diaper pails.

dryer sheet used in sewing

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Change the sheet every time you change a bag.

Wet the sheet to remove bugs from your windshield and the front grille.

The fabric is abrasive enough to scrub away the insects but not harsh enough to damage the finish.

dryer sheet in luggage

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Use a dryer sheet to remove pet hair fromcar seats.

Plus, keeping dryer sheets in the trunk helps it smell fresh.

Just choose a scent you like and see if you’re bug-free.

cleaning a tv screen with a dryer sheet

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Tame Flyaway Hair

Keep a few dryer sheets in your desk or purse to calm flyaway hair.

Just rub the sheet over your hair to smooth it out.

Opt for an unscented variety if you don’t want it to compete with your perfume.

using a dryer sheet on an iron

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Some gardeners say the scentrepels plant-munching deer.

Choose a polyester non-woven base to avoid melting during wet weather.

Remove andclean smelly workout clothesas soon as you get home.

dryer sheet in a trash can

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Clean Baseboards

Boris SV / Getty Images

Use a dryer sheet like a baseboard wipe.

It also removes soap scum that accumulates on these fixtures.

A dryer sheet grabs the particles that a paper towel would leave behind.

letting the car seats dry

The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

Also, after much use, the metal and screw joint can benefit from lubrication.

Use a dryer sheet and wipe along the blades and screw joint to clean the surface.

It also adds a thin lubricant layer to make the scissors cut better.

Camping in the Forest

Tom Merton / Getty Images

Lightly rub walls with a sheet and watch the crayon mark slowly disappear.

Allow the chemicals to attach to the paint residue, then rinse and wash away the paint.

Are Dryer Sheets Bad?

Hair Static

Brook Rieman / Getty Images

Dryer sheets are not ideal for all types of fabrics either.

Or,make DIY dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets add fragrance to gym bags, shoes, and trash cans.

deer in a backyard

​The Spruce / Erica Lang

However, the dryer sheet is ineffective once the scent loses strength.

Corrosives: Cationic Detergents.Merck Veterinary Manual.

Cloyd, Raymond A.et al.Bounce Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets Repel Fungus Gnat,Bradysiasp.

dryer sheets for dirty laundry during a trip

​The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

nr.coprophila(Diptera: Sciaridae), Adults.Hortscience, vol.

12, 2010, pp.

Dryer sheet placed on top of clothes in dryer

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

open gym bag

Sonja Rachbauer / Getty Images

how to clean baseboards empty room

Boris SV / Getty Images

how to clean blinds without taking them down

Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images

wiping a glass door with newspaper

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Ball of aluminum foil rubbing chrome fixture on sink’s overflow hole

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Cocoa powder in a spoon spilling onto a table.

Anna Quaglia / EyeEm / Getty Images

Top view over paper cut tools, scissors, cutter, cutting mat, and crafted paper objects. DIY trendy project concept

netrun78 / Getty Images

using baking soda to remove crayon marks

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Paint brushes in an old glass candle jar

Mal de Ojo Studio / Stocksy