As I cleaned out my dryer lint trap today and tossed the fluffy mass unceremoniously into the garbage, I wondered if there was something that could be done with the stuff. I did some research on the internet and found some incredibly fun ways to use dryer lint rather than toss it. With the holidays coming up, those of you with children might be able to do a special eco-friendly craft or two!
Nesting Materials for Birds
Grab that lint and place it around the areas you see birds in your yard. You can even put some in the trees. The birds will love you for it!
Homemade Lint Clay
2 cups firmly packed dryer lint
1/3 cup warm water
6 tablespoons white glue
1 tablespoon clear dishwashing liquid
Food coloring (optional)
Directions: Place lint in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. When you can no longer use a spoon to mix, get in with your hand and kneed away.
Lint Papier Mache
3 cups lint from your dryer
2 cups water
2/3 cup wheat flour
3 drops oil of wintergreen
newspaper, cut into strips
Directions: Put lint and water in a large saucepan. Make sure all the lint is well soaked. Add flour and stir constantly so lumps won’t form. Add oil of wintergreen. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly,until mixture holds together and forms peaks. Now, remove from heat and dip the strips of paper into mixture and place on your mold. You might also try using a paint brush rather than dipping. Here’s a pattern for an earth ornament.
Artwork
Give the kids the lint, some scrap paper and glue. They can create fun artwork in different colors!
Toy or Pillow Stuffing
Decorative pillows or children’s stuffed animals looking a little flat? Use the dryer lint to plump them back up.
It’s amazing what can be done with simple dryer lint!
