I do a lot of laundry in my house and, as a result, I accumulate what seems like a metric ton of dryer lint each week. As I fished the latest clump of fuzz from my dryer's lint cup, I got to wondering, "Is there something useful could do with all this?" The only think I could think of was to toss it into my backyard for the birds to use when they build nests. I knew other people must surely have come up with other, more creative, ideas so I decided to find out.
What I learned may surprise you:
- Thrifty Fun recommends using dryer lint to stuff small hand-sewn dolls or bears. Not only will they smell great, they'll be washable too. Lint bears aren't meant for children though, since dryer fuzz is highly flammable.
- The same site also says lint makes a great addition to your compost heap or worm farm. Apparently stray sweater fibers make a good snack for the bacteria usually found in these types of soil.
- The Dollar Stretcher suggests using lint to cushion small items for shipping. I'm guessing they mean jewelry or trinkets, not cookies.
- There is also a recipe on the site for making non-edible lint-based clay that can also be used in place of paper-maché.
- Essortment tells its readers to stuff excess lint into old tube socks and use them as draft stoppers. If you start saving lint now, you might have some ready in time for winter. If you do a lot of laundry, you could have a few made by Thursday.
At a time when it seems like everything from water bottles to cells phones are disposable, it's nice to see lowly dryer lint get a second chance at life. Who knew?
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Reader comments (Page 2 of 2)
I only have one comment for Polly Esther.....WHAT?
ReplyI only have one comment for Polly Esther....WHAT?
ReplyI only have one comment to make to Polly Esther......WHAT?
ReplyThis past winter someone told me that they save their empty paper towel/toilet paper rolls and stuff them with dryer lint to add to the fireplace. I'm going to try it out this winter.
ReplyI was so glad to see dryer lint be given the recognition it deserves! I LOVE to use it in various craft mediums. It's versatility allows for so much -- you are limited only by your own mind's inability to create! I've used it to make paper, papier mache', mixed it with plaster for sculpted pieces and most recently with glue to form a completely moldable substance which can be transformed into anything -- resulting in a very light-weight product when dried.
ReplyI like giving new uses to stuff you usually throw away but I'm gonna have to pass on this one, This story plus that woman who made a sweater out of her dog's hair, well....Not my cuppa tea!
ReplyBut wait.. a lot of people wear polyester clothing and clothing made of other synthetic fibers. Why leave lint for the birds, for example, or use it in compost or for food cooking purposes if it is not actually natural? One of the chemicals used to create poyester is formaldehyde (don't believe me, look it up).. yuck! I could not bring myself to wear synthetics or re-use lint from synthetic fibers.
ReplyI have to chuckle at those who think the idea of using lint for so many amazing purposes is silly - it's clean fiber, washed and dried. Particularly amusing is the fellow who 'could not bring myself to wear synthetics or re-use lint from synthetic fibers... the image of the little man running around wringing his hands over lint... HORRORS!
ReplyPlease folks, my sister, Naga Hyde, is barely able to keep her navel stocked with sufficient lint to keep her warm during the cold, winter months! Have a heart and a belly button...share because you care. Give to the ill-fated navels of the world and you'll find that your own belly will shake a little harder with the laughs from a good joke. I can't explain any more clearly how your dryer lint can save the planet!
ReplyHey ... years ago I bought some beautiful ear rings made from dryer lint. I thought I'd try doing it with the lint, water and white glue, then roll it out, cut, paint and jewel. Do ya think it would work. Do you have any other suggestions? The ear rings were really lovely!!
ReplyThe belly-button lint is really the best!!
thank-you for replies to my comment
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