4 Dryer Sheet Hacks That Go Way Beyond the Laundry Room
Chances are you already love dryer sheets. Honestly, what's not to love? Just pop them in the dryer and poof! Out comes soft, sweet-smelling laundry with zero effort.
But what if we told you that you've barely even begun to unlock their potential? As Realtor.com recently pointed out, dryer sheets are good for so much more than laundry. From cleaning your bathroom to combating stinky feet, keep reading for our favorite dryer sheet hacks.
In the Bathroom
Debra Johnson, a cleaning expert with Merry Maids, told Realtor.com that running a moistened dryer sheet over chrome bathroom fixtures will have them shining like the day they were installed. And because they contain detergent, they're also perfect for cleaning soap, scum and grime off shower doors.
In the Kitchen
Believe it or not, dryer sheets are excellent at removing burnt-on foods from pots and pans. Next time you burn tomato sauce, Realtor.com suggests saving the elbow grease and plopping a dryer sheet on the stubborn food residue instead. Simply add a little water, let it soak for a few hours and watch as the detergents on the dryer sheet lift the mess right off your pots and pans.
Additionally, if you need to tackle a stove riddled with stuck-on food after a week's worth of dinners, a dryer sheet will work here, too. Simply soak a fresh sheet in water for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing away.
In the Living Room
It turns out dryer sheets are excellent at picking up dust and pet hair.
"The purpose of dryer sheets is to draw the static charge out of the clothing from the heat in the dryer," Johnson explained to Realtor.com. "This same function will work for dusting."
Use them on everything from your ceiling fans to your baseboards—your vacuum cleaner will thank you.
Of course, anyone who has children will know that it's not a matter of if, but when the walls will become a canvas for an eager young artist. Luckily, dryer sheets are actually quite effective in removing crayon from the walls. All you need to do is a rub a new or used sheet over the creation, and it'll restore the wall to a fresh slate.
In the Closet
You might already know that a dryer sheet can save you in a pinch when you've got a deodorant stain on your clothes. However, you can also use one to stop your shoes from squeaking. Just rub the bottoms of the soles with a dryer sheet, and it'll help take off some of the slickness. You may need to do this every few wears, depending on your shoes.
If you've got a pile of dirty laundry that builds up over the course of the week, you can toss a dryer sheet into the hamper to help control the smell. It'll tide you over to the weekend when you're able to take care of the kids' gym clothes.
That's not the only stinky problem a dryer sheet can mitigate. Issues with foot funk? Slice a dryer sheet in half and put a piece in each shoe after a day of use. Let the sheet work its magic overnight and your shoes should smell like a dream by morning.
