Dryer Lint Uses: Don't Throw it Away!

We all create it with that wonderful machine known as the clothes dryer. We religiously clean out the lint trap. Well, maybe not, but if you have turned the timer on more than once and the clothes are not dry yet, an overflowing lint trap is probably the culprit. Here are ten ideas for putting the soft, fluffy stuff to good use. Remember, that lint is only as good as what it came from. Pieces of synthetic rubber and plastic in the lint are to be thrown away. Only use lint that comes from natural fibers like cotton.

Since we run a small aviary we use our lint for nesting materials for our Zebra finches. If you don't have a pet bird you can still offer your lint for nesting materials. In the spring, as birds are building their nests, put some lint on tall bushes and low hanging branches in trees. Monitor the usage of the lint and continue to add quantities as long as the birds are using it for nesting materials

Do you have something fragile to ship and even after packing it is paper still feel uneasy about it making the trip safely? Why not wrap it in lint? Since a lot of lint can be removed from the dryer lint trap in flat sheets they make perfect packing materials for shipping smaller items. Slip lint into a sandwich bag and layer if you need extra padding. Than place the sandwich bag into the shipping envelope or take several of these bags and tape around object to be shipped.

Have a fire place in your home or do you like to set around the campfire? Lint can make excellent fire starters either by itself or with a little work they can become fire logs. In the fireplace just crumple a large amount of lint into a ball and place under the kindling or dry wood and light lint ball to start fire. For longer burn times or start outdoor fires stuff toilet paper or paper towel tubes with lint. Make sure and pack it as tight as you can. Than place a page or two from an old magazine in each end of the tube. Light the paper and it will light the tube offering a longer burning log for your campfire. Remember to use only lint from natural fibers. To test take a small amount outside and light with a match if it turns into small beads do not use it.

With the every increasing cost of heating and cooling your home it is more important than ever to stop all air leaks around doors and windows. Lint packed in old socks or sewn into long ropes can be placed along the bottom of doors or windows to stop weather from entering and the heated or cool air from escaping.

Add lint to your compost pile! Worms will think they are in heaven and create excellent soil and castings for your reward. Also you now will have a ready supply of fish bait to take with you on your next fishing trip. By using lint as a part of the mulch placed around your potted plants and adding coffee grounds into the mixture it creates an environment that encourages plant growth.

Try this recipe for your next school project. By using this recipe 2 cups lint, 1¼ cup water, ¾ cup flour, 3 drops spearmint flavoring, newspaper and paint to make your own lint clay. In a 2 quart sauce pan, mix together lint and water. Add flour and stir until smooth. Make sure you add the flour slowly and mix well. Add flavoring. Stir constantly over low heat until mixture holds together. Pour onto newspaper cover pan and allow cooling. Make model or figures or maybe pour over a bowl or Jello mold. Allow 5-6 days to dry. Paint and decorate as desired.

How about a Picasso? Try this for the kids. Mix 1 cup of flour and 1 cup liquid starch together and then add the dryer lint as needed to form shapes. You can add small pieces of crayon for color. You can vary your mixture as needed, adding more starch, water or flour as needed to get that perfect masterpiece. This may take up to a week to dry, depending on moisture content. After completing the artwork dry, spray with a sealer to insure its color.

Feel like going back in time? Make some paper. Mix shredded paper and lint with water and allow to soak. Pour the mixture into a blender and turn on slow speed. Pour the mixture onto and old window screen and shape into as big of pieces of paper as you want. Press out the extra water and allow paper to dry. You may have to use some bricks to keep your new paper flat.