Dryer sheets are one of those everyday household items most people associate strictly with laundry, known for softening clothes and eliminating static cling in the dryer. But as my experience and many others have shown, these little sheets pack a lot more punch than you might expect.

They’re made from a non-woven polyester material and coated with fabric softeners and pleasant fragrances that slowly release their scent, giving your laundry that fresh-out-of-the-dryer smell. However, the real surprise lies in how useful they are outside the laundry room. Thanks to their anti-static properties, subtle abrasiveness, and fresh scent, dryer sheets can tackle a wide range of common household problems. One of the most practical uses is tossing one into your gym bag. With sweaty clothes and shoes cooped up in a confined space, the smell can get pretty unpleasant fast.

A dryer sheet left in the bag helps absorb those odors and replaces them with a clean, subtle fragrance. It’s an effortless way to keep things smelling decent between workouts. Another lifesaver? Getting rid of pet hair from furniture. If you have dogs or cats, you know how hair seems to cling to everything. Rubbing a dryer sheet over fabric furniture attracts the hair thanks to the static-fighting elements, making cleanup quick and easy. It even works better than some lint rollers. In the bathroom, dryer sheets come in handy on shower doors. Soap scum buildup can be difficult to clean, but the textured surface and softening agents in the sheet help break down the grime. Just wet a dryer sheet and use it to scrub the glass—your shower doors will shine like new.

Another everyday annoyance is static cling, especially during dry seasons. If your clothes are sticking to your body or clinging to each other, rubbing a dryer sheet over the fabric neutralizes the static instantly. It’s a quick fix, and you don’t need to change your outfit. For a quick polish in the kitchen or bathroom, dryer sheets are fantastic on chrome fixtures. Water spots and fingerprints tend to dull the look of chrome, but a quick buff with a dryer sheet will leave those surfaces gleaming again, thanks to the gentle cleaning agents embedded in the fabric. Trash cans, even when emptied regularly, can hold onto unpleasant smells.

Drop a dryer sheet at the bottom of the can to help absorb odors and keep the area smelling fresh. Replace it whenever the scent fades, and you’ll notice a big improvement. Surprisingly, dryer sheets can even help with pest control. Some people find that placing dryer sheets around patios or doorways helps deter insects like mosquitoes and gnats, which dislike the strong scent. It’s a chemical-free, convenient way to enjoy a pest-free environment. If your electronics seem to collect dust faster than you can clean them, dryer sheets can help there too. Wipe down screens and keyboards with one, and it’ll not only remove the dust but also reduce future buildup by neutralizing static electricity. Shoe odor is another issue dryer sheets can tackle with ease. Slip one into each shoe and let it work overnight—the sheet will absorb excess moisture while releasing its scent, helping your shoes smell fresher. Just remember to replace the sheets regularly for lasting results. Lastly, if you’ve ever left paintbrushes out too long and they’ve gone stiff, don’t toss them just yet. Soaking the brushes in warm water with a dryer sheet helps loosen dried paint, making the bristles soft and usable again. It’s a trick that can rescue those tools from the trash and save you money on replacements. These creative uses show that dryer sheets are more than just a laundry accessory. Their combination of fragrance, anti-static agents, and gentle abrasiveness make them incredibly versatile. Whether you’re freshening up your space, removing pet hair, polishing chrome, or even repelling bugs, dryer sheets offer simple, affordable solutions to everyday problems. By thinking beyond their traditional purpose, you can turn these common sheets into a multipurpose tool that saves you time, effort, and hassle around the home. It’s a small change that makes a surprisingly big impact on your daily routine.