Poor Richard’s Almanac

Silence Dogood here. It’s time for our weekly Frugal Living Tip here at Poor Richard’s Almanac. This one is about used dryer sheets. You know, those Bounce or Downy fabric softener sheets (or other brand equivalents) that you’re supposed to toss in the dryer with your clothes to make them smell fresher, feel softer, not stick together from static cling… uh, I’m really not sure, since I’ve never seen the point in any of that. Our clothes smell fresh and feel soft without fabric softener or dryer sheets, and we don’t have static cling issues unless I’m drying a half-slip. I can live with pulling clothes apart every once in awhile rather than buying yet another product.

However. Ever since I read, years ago, that you could use used dryer sheets to remove burnt-on food from casseroles, pans, and the like, I’ll admit that I’ve found them kind of fascinating. The thought that people would take the time to find alternative uses for new, much less used, dryer sheets is amazing to me. A true testament to American ingenuity and recycling! 

For those of you who use dryer sheets, here’s a laundry list (sorry, I couldn’t resist) of things to do with those used sheets instead of just tossing them:

* The burnt-on food thing. Place a sheet in the bottom of the container, fill with water, and let sit overnight. In the morning, remove the sheet and toss, then scrub out the (formerly) crusted-on gunk. 

* Put a sheet in shoes between wearings to get rid of odors and keep them smelling sweet.

* Put that anti-static action to work by using them to clean your TV and computer screens.

* Put a sheet in the bottom of your trash can or wastebasket to eliminate odors.

* Use them like sachets to freshen drawers, closets, linen closets, and empty suitcases. If you store off-season clothes in those big plastic containers or in “hanging closets,” add a dryer sheet before sealing to avoid musty odors.

* Try a used dryer sheet as a polishing cloth to remove soap scum from counters, sinks, tile walls, and shower stalls.

* Use a dryer sheet as a dustcloth to polish and dust furniture.

* Remove dust and crud from lightbulbs and light fixtures with a dryer sheet.

* Use a dryer sheet to collect pet hair from any surface.

* Use them to clean baseboards and car dashboards.

* Dryer sheets supposedly repel mosquitos.

* Stuff a dryer sheet in the hole in a vacuum-cleaner bag before attaching it to the vacuum cleaner to add a fresh scent to your rooms every time you vacuum. 

* Dryer sheets supposedly repel flies and yellowjackets at picnics. Place one in each trash can at the picnic site, and attach one to the top of your picnic basket.

* Use a dryer sheet to dust your mini blinds.

* A used dryer sheet makes a great windshield cleaner.

Yow! I can’t help but wonder what made people think about alternative uses for used dryer sheets in the first place. But once they got going, it seems they just couldn’t stop! I tell you, it’s enough to make me think about getting a box of Bounce, not to add the sheets to my dryer but simply for the other uses. Do you have any that aren’t included in this list?

            ‘Til next time,

                         Silence