It’s 2020, and words like “sustainability” and “upcycling” are all the rage. Today, this goes well beyond simply tossing your plastic water bottle in the recycle bin. This new trend has people finding creative ways to reuse just about everything.
Did you know that you can even recycle dryer lint? It’s true!
If you have your own washer and dryer you’ve probably tossed tons of dryer lint in the trash without giving it a second thought. But what if you could actually do something useful with it?
Well, you’re in luck. Here are seven super creative uses for dryer lint. Choose a few that appeal to you and start going green today.
What Is Dryer Lint Anyway?
Before we get started, let’s answer the question that’s surely burning in your mind – what exactly is dryer lint anyway? This soft, fluffy material that collects in your dryer’s lint trap is actually made up of pieces of textile materials that are shed from your clothes.
The pieces break off while you wear your clothing and use your towels and sheets. Then, during the washing and drying process, they’re extracted and are caught in the lint trap. This is why shirts and towels that are used frequently will eventually become thin and worn out.
Easy and Creative Uses for Dryer Lint
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the easiest most creative ways to use your dryer lint. Once you start to get inspired, you’re sure to come up with even more on your own.
1. Use It in Your Compost Pile
If you’re interested in “going green” composting is another great way to reduce the amount of trash you create. Dryer lint makes an excellent addition to your compost pile. It falls in the “dry” or “brown” category.
Just make sure to only use lint from loads of laundry that are completely made up of cotton or wool. Man-made fibers don’t break down as easily, so they could end up doing more harm than good.
2. Soft Stuffing for Crafts
If you make small crafts, you’ve probably purchased bags of stuffing from the store. Using dryer lint isn’t just less expensive, it’s also much softer and more natural. This is perfect for making small dolls, stuffed animals, or even dog toys.
Not into small crafts? Start collecting dryer lint until you have enough to make pillows or even a quilt. It might take a while, but this is much safer than chemical-filled polyester stuffing.
3. Quick Fire Starter
One of the reasons why it’s so important to clean out your dryer’s lint filter regularly that dryer lint is extremely flammable. While this creates a potential fire hazard in your home, you can also harness it for your benefit.
You can make a simple fire starter by packing an empty toilet paper roll with dryer lint, rolling it in a piece of newspaper, and twisting the ends closed. This will burn extremely quickly.
Want a longer-lasting fire starter? Wrap the balls of lint in wax paper or stuff an empty egg carton with the lint and pour wax over it. Then, when you’re ready, cut off as much as you need and use it to start your campfire.
4. Free Packing Material
When you need to mail something fragile, finding the right packing material can be a hassle. Sure, you could use bubble wrap and packing peanuts, but dryer lint is a much more eco-friendly option. Keep it in a box instead of tossing it in the trash and you’ll always have it handy when you need it.
5. Cozy Pet Bedding
Do you have small pets like hamsters, gerbils, or guinea pigs? They love to make their beds out of dryer lint! It’s much softer than the cedar or pine shavings they’re used to, and cheaper too.
If you’re going to use your dryer lint for your pets, make sure that you use an all-natural laundry soap and avoid dryer sheets and anything else that’s heavily scented.
6. Make Your Own Paper
You know that fancy thick paper that’s flecked with pretty colors and costs a fortune at upscale stationery stores? You can make it yourself with dryer lint! Check out this cool video that will show you exactly how to do it.
You can even make it fancy by adding things like glitter, pieces of yarn, or dried flowers. Then, use the paper to make beautiful homemade greeting cards or add some class to your scrapbook.
7. Create a Clever Gag Gift
Last, but not least, one of the best clever uses for dryer lint is a fun gag gift. All you need is a small zip-lock baggie, googly eyes, some cardstock, a marker, and a stapler. When you’re done, you’ll have created adorable pet dust bunnies that everyone is sure to love!
Here are the detailed instructions for creating your own at home.
Start Making Good Use of Your Dryer Lint Today!
Now that you know about all the coolest uses for dryer lint, you’re probably excited to get started right away. Don’t have a washer and dryer in your home? Now is the time to fix that!
When you deal with A & A Appliance and Leasing, you don’t have to worry about coming up with a ton of money to buy the appliances you need. Instead, you can simply rent them for a low monthly fee.
Check out our inventory and get started today! Once you have your new dryer installed, you can have a ton of fun experimenting with these creative uses for dryer lint.
