I have a question about recycling dryer sheets. I am making a few needle books and wondered if instead of batting I could use a couple of used dryer sheets? Is there anything in or on the sheets that could mess up my needles?
Also could I use them to stuff a couple of small pincushions I am also making?
Just tying to do my part in keeping things out of the landfills.
Amber in central Illinois where it is COLD, COLD ,COLD Thats a good reason to stay inside and sew.
I think they would affect the needles and pins - I keep one in the bathroom for the days when my fine hair stands on end after I pull a sweater over my head, a friend gave it to me, I don't use dryer sheets.
Have you seen those curious 'dryer balls' over there ? They are a little smaller than tennis balls, have little pointy things on them (look like a mine) and you throw them in with the drying.
I don't know how they work, but they do, no static in my drying, everything separate, best of all absolutely no perfume and voila, nothing goes to the landfill !
I think it would be a great idea. I keep a used dryer sheet with my needlework tools. If my fabric or fibers seem static-y, I will run my threaded needle through the used dryer sheet. The residual "stuff" on the used sheets helps with the static and the thread seems to slide a bit better through the fabric. Of course, this is only recommended if you wash your needlework once it is completed. I also use a used dryer sheet to wipe the lint trap in my dryer. It just seems to pick up the lint much better than my bare hand. CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
There are residues of cationic detergents on them, which tend to be a little hygroscopic... and more water around them is not what pins and needles need.
You might consider switching to a small quantity of liquid fabric softener on a rag or washcloth instead of dryer sheets if you're trying to keep stuff out of a landfill but still use fabric softener. Wash the rag once in awhile. Use 1 part fabric softener to 5 parts water, dip the rags in the mixture, and then air dry before using them as "dryer sheets".
I know that some people use the used dryer sheets as foundation for crazy quilt blocks, or for foundation piecing. I use dryer sheets and have been saving them to use for foundation piecing. Keeps them out of the landfill. If you use the sheets but don't quilt, you might ask quilter friends if they would like them.
I won't use dryer sheets. They deposit something which didn't agree with my skin on the clothes, they spot some clothes, not to mention that there's some kind of fire hazard involved or so I've heard. I use the liquid you add to the rinse water, and only half of what they recommentd. At least I can regulate how much I use and the bottle goes in my recyck bin.
Are you putting pins/needles right through the dryer sheets or just using to stuff inside cover fabrics?
Kay's correct in her previous message about not good to insert needles in the sheets but if a traditional needlebook where you are putting needles into pages made of felt, wool or other materials -- you should be fine using the dryer sheets as stuffing. If you have stitched covers, I would be more concerned with what fibers/materials were used in the stitching and how they will react with the dryer sheets -- I would definitely not use the sheets with anything that you are not positive is colorfast.
Any fabrics, >> I have a question about recycling dryer sheets. I am making a few
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