Dryer sheets are a common household item that most people associate with laundry, primarily used to soften clothes, reduce static cling, and add a pleasant scent to fabrics. However, these small, fragranced sheets can do so much more than just improve the way your laundry feels and smells.

Thanks to their unique combination of anti-static properties, gentle abrasiveness, and lasting fragrance, dryer sheets have a surprising number of uses beyond the laundry room. Whether you’re looking to freshen up smelly spaces, tackle stubborn cleaning jobs, or even repel insects, these sheets can be an incredibly handy tool in your everyday household routine. Understanding how they work helps explain their versatility—dryer sheets are usually made from non-woven polyester material and coated with a blend of softening agents and synthetic fragrances.

The softeners often consist of fatty acids or similar lubricants that reduce static electricity and smooth fabric fibers. These same properties also allow the sheets to interact effectively with other surfaces and substances, making them valuable in a wide range of applications around your home. For instance, gym bags tend to develop unpleasant odors from damp clothes and shoes. Placing a dryer sheet inside the bag allows its scent to slowly release, keeping everything smelling fresh in between workouts. Pet owners will also appreciate that the anti-static quality of dryer sheets makes them great for picking up pet hair from fabric surfaces. Just rub a sheet over your couch, chair, or bedding, and watch the pet hair lift away with ease.

Another surprising use is on shower doors, where soap scum tends to build up over time. Wetting a dryer sheet and using it to scrub the glass can help remove stubborn scum and residue, thanks to the sheet’s soft texture and embedded softeners. Similarly, static cling can be a frustrating issue, especially in colder or dryer months. If you notice your clothes sticking together or to your body, simply rubbing a dryer sheet over the fabric can instantly neutralize the static charge.

In kitchens and bathrooms, chrome fixtures often lose their shine due to water spots or fingerprints. Buffing them with a dryer sheet can quickly restore their sparkle, with the softeners breaking down grime and the sheet’s texture polishing the surface. Trash cans, even when emptied regularly, can start to smell over time. Placing a dryer sheet at the bottom of the bin helps absorb odors and adds a light, pleasant scent to the area. When it comes to pest control, some people find that placing dryer sheets around the home or outdoor areas can deter insects like gnats and mosquitoes, who tend to dislike the strong fragrance. Dryer sheets are also useful for cleaning delicate electronics. Because static electricity attracts dust to items like TV screens, keyboards, and computer monitors, wiping them down with a dryer sheet not only removes the dust but also reduces future buildup. If your shoes are starting to smell due to moisture or frequent wear, placing a dryer sheet inside each one can help absorb the odor and release a clean scent. Lastly, if you’ve ever forgotten to clean your paintbrushes and they’ve hardened, you can soak them in warm water with a dryer sheet to soften the bristles. The softening agents in the sheet work to loosen dried paint, making the brush usable again without harsh chemicals. These ten clever uses show that dryer sheets are far more than a one-trick pony. They are a budget-friendly, multi-purpose tool that can help solve a variety of everyday problems. Instead of only relying on them for your laundry, consider keeping a box of dryer sheets on hand for their countless other benefits. Whether you’re freshening up a musty space, removing hair from furniture, polishing chrome, or tackling odors and insects, dryer sheets offer easy, efficient solutions without the need for extra products. With just a little creativity, this laundry staple becomes a powerhouse helper throughout your entire home.