If you’ve sworn off dryer sheets because of the potential damage they can cause your dryer and clothing, you likely have a half-empty box of them sitting around. Don’t let them collect dust in your laundry room — put them to use repelling dust from your baseboards. A single dryer sheet can help them look…
An Unexpected Dust-Buster
You might be wondering why you should use dryer sheets instead of a wet paper towel or a microfiber duster. The answer lies in the physical makeup of these tiny polyester rectangles. Dryer sheets are designed to repel static from clothing, and that same logic applies to baseboards. They leave behind an antistatic residue that helps repel dust and pet hair for weeks.
Before you try this, we recommend giving your baseboards a more thorough cleaning, especially if it’s been a while since you last washed them. Just take a damp microfiber cloth and a bit of liquid dish soap or distilled white vinegar and wipe them down to remove any obvious dirt or pesky stains.
More from our network
House Outlook is part of Inbox Studio, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
Once the baseboards are clean, rub a dryer sheet along them. Not only will this collect any remaining dust, but the antistatic residue will also act as a shield for several weeks or even months. Best of all, this method takes barely any time at all; you’ll need only a few minutes to quickly wipe down every baseboard in the room. And as a bonus, dryer sheets leave behind a pleasant scent that makes the space smell nice.
Back Problems? No Problem
If you have back problems or other ailments, it can be difficult to bend over and wipe baseboards with a dryer sheet. Thankfully, a tool such as the Swiffer Sweeper can solve this. It has a long handle, and the flat mop head features four grabbers on the top to hold cleaning pads in place. Instead of using the Swiffer-brand sweeping cloths it’s sold with, simply attach your preferred brand of dryer sheet to the flat mop head. This allows you to tackle the task without needing to bend over and put strain on your back.
