Dryer sheets are thin, rectangular sheets that are infused with fabric softeners and scent boosters. They are designed to be tossed into the dryer with wet clothing to make the clothes come out soft, fluffy, and smelling fresh. But some people also use dryer sheets for other purposes around the home, including repelling insects like mosquitoes. Do dryer sheets actually help repel bugs, or is this just an old wive’s tale?
How Do Dryer Sheets Work?
Dryer sheets work in a couple key ways:
- They contain fabric softeners that help break down static electricity and condition clothes. This prevents clothes from coming out of the dryer stiff and static-y.
- Many dryer sheets are infused with pleasant fragrances that get transferred to clothes in the dryer. This leaves clothes smelling fresh and clean.
- The softeners and fragrances are coated onto thin cotton or polyester sheets. As the sheets tumble around with clothes in the hot dryer, the heat releases the ingredients onto the fabrics.
Some of the most common ingredients in dryer sheets include:
- Cationic surfactants – These positively charged molecules act as fabric softeners.
- Perfumes – Most dryer sheets contain synthetic fragrance oils.
- Fatty alcohols – These soften fabrics and reduce static. Common ones are stearic acid and oleic acid.
- Antistatic agents – These prevent static buildup in clothes.
So in summary, dryer sheets are designed to make clothes soft, static-free, and nice smelling. But what about repelling insects? Let’s look into this further.
Do Dryer Sheets Actually Repel Bugs?
There are two main theories about why dryer sheets might repel insects:
1. The Scent Repels Bugs
Some people believe the strong scents in dryer sheets help mask human odors, making people less attractive to biting insects like mosquitoes.
Certain insects locate hosts to feed on through smelling human odors like sweat, breath, skin oils, etc. So in theory, the perfumed smell of dryer sheets could help cover up these attractive scents when rubbed onto skin or clothing.
However, there is limited scientific proof that this actually works. While some homemade bug repellents do contain essential oils and fragrances, dryer sheet fragrances have not been extensively tested for insect repellency.
2. The Fabric Softener Coats the Skin
Another idea is that the fatty alcohols and cationic surfactants in dryer sheets can essentially coat the skin, making it harder for insects to bite through.
Some types of mosquitoes are deterred from biting if they can’t properly insert their mouthparts into the skin. The theory is that the softeners in dryer sheets could provide a barrier that makes biting more difficult.
But again, there is little scientific research demonstrating this effect. The amount of softeners transferred from a dryer sheet to skin would likely be very minimal.
Scientific Research on Dryer Sheets and Insects
There have been a few small studies investigating whether dryer sheets can repel mosquitoes, but the results have been inconclusive:
- A 2016 study found that wiping your skin with a dryer sheet resulted in fewer mosquito landings compared to untreated skin. However, the dryer sheets did not provide complete protection. [SOURCE]
- A 2002 study tested whether dryer sheets containing the insect repellent substance DEET could repel mosquitoes. The DEET-containing dryer sheets provided about 2 hours of 96% repellency. But normal dryer sheets without DEET did not repel mosquitoes. [SOURCE]
- One student science project found no difference in mosquito landings on skin rubbed with dryer sheets versus untreated skin. The sixth grader concluded dryer sheets do not effectively repel mosquitoes. [SOURCE]
So based on the limited research, dryer sheets themselves do not seem to provide potent mosquito bite protection. They may slightly deter landing, but don’t fully repel mosquitoes like DEET and other proven repellents.
More scientific testing is needed to fully determine if dryer sheets have meaningful insect repellent effects. But so far, evidence is lacking.
Should You Use Dryer Sheets to Repel Bugs?
Based on the current evidence, relying solely on dryer sheets is likely not the best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other biting pests. Here are some reasons why:
- The fragrance oils in dryer sheets may provide a small repellent effect against some insect species, but they have not been extensively tested or formulated specifically for this purpose. Other plant-based repellents like lemon eucalyptus oil have much stronger evidence of effectiveness.
- The small amount of fabric softener transferred to skin does not appear to provide a protective barrier that deters biting and feeding. Proven topical repellents like DEET work much better.
- If biting does occur, dryer sheets would not prevent disease transmission from insects like mosquitoes. Repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients like DEET have been verified to protect against vector-borne diseases.
- Higher concentrations of fragrances and fabric softeners would likely be needed to deter insects. But these chemicals could cause skin irritation with heavy repeated use.
- Dryer sheets could provide a false sense of security against biting insects. Relying solely on them would leave you unprotected against diseases like Zika, dengue fever, malaria, and West Nile virus.
So while dryer sheets may offer a small amount of help, they should not be your go-to choice for repelling mosquitoes and other pests.
Best Options for Repelling Biting Insects
For effective protection against insects, go with products that have been properly tested and registered with the EPA, such as:
Insect Repellents
- DEET – The most studied insect repellent, can provide up to 12 hours of protection. Available in sprays, lotions, wipes.
- Picaridin – Odorless synthetic repellent, nearly as effective as DEET. Lasts up to 8 hours.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus – Plant-based oil can protect for up to 6 hours. Approved for children 3+ years.
- IR3535 – Synthetic repellent lasts up to 8 hours, suitable for kids.
- Permethrin – Long-lasting repellent for clothing and gear, not for skin. Kills mosquitoes and ticks.
Follow instructions carefully and reapply as directed. Do not over-apply.
Other Precautions
- Wear lightweight long sleeves, pants, hats if possible when outdoors.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping if camping or in tropical regions.
- Limit outdoor time between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Remove standing water sources from your property where mosquitoes breed.
- Use window screens, repair any holes, and use air conditioning if possible.
- Try mosquito traps, fans, and other deterrents around outdoor gathering spaces.
- Consider professional pest control if you have excessive mosquitoes, ticks, or other pests around your home.
The Bottom Line
Can using scented dryer sheets provide some degree of insect repellency? Possibly a small effect, but not likely significant protection. Dryer sheets have not been extensively tested or specifically designed as insect repellents.
Your best bet is to use EPA-registered repellents like DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil when spending time outdoors, especially in warm weather. Follow directions carefully and also take precautions like wearing protective clothing, eliminating breeding grounds, and avoiding peak biting times.
While dryer sheets can make your clothes smell fresh and fluffy, don’t rely on them alone to repel mosquitoes, ticks and other biting pests. Stick with proven repellent products and smart preventative measures to protect yourself from insects and the diseases they may carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rub dryer sheets on my skin to repel mosquitoes?
You can rub a dryer sheet on exposed skin, but this will likely provide only minimal protection against mosquito bites. Dryer sheets have not been extensively tested or proven effective for repelling mosquitoes. Use EPA-registered insect repellents like DEET or picaridin for reliable protection.
How else can I use dryer sheets to repel bugs?
Some ideas for using dryer sheets include placing them in your pockets, tucking them into hats, putting them inside shoes, inserting them between seat cushions, or lining them along windowsills. However, their effectiveness will be limited. Rely on tested repellent sprays and proper clothing when outdoors.
Are there any risks to using dryer sheets as a bug repellent?
The fragrances and chemicals in dryer sheets could cause skin irritation, rashes or allergic reactions if applied directly to the body, especially if used excessively. Avoid getting them near the eyes, nose and mouth. Also be aware of potential fire hazards if placing them near ignition sources.
How do dryer sheets compare to citronella candles for repelling mosquitoes?
Neither dryer sheets nor citronella candles provide complete protection against biting insects. Citronella oil does have some natural repellent properties, but its effectiveness is limited. For best results, use an artificial repellent like DEET along with other preventive measures when enjoying outdoor time.
Can putting dryer sheets in my pocket or purse help keep bugs away?
Having a dryer sheet in your pocket might help mask some human odors, but likely does not release enough fragrance to significantly deter insect bites, especially as you move around. Reapply a topical repellent to exposed skin for better protection. Also wash and replace the dryer sheets daily.
Conclusion
While using dryer sheets around your home or on your clothes may provide a slight deterrent effect against some bugs, relying on them alone is not an effective insect prevention strategy. Stick with reputable insect repellents, protective clothing, removal of breeding grounds, and other tried-and-true measures to guard against mosquitoes, ticks and insect-borne illnesses. And keep your clothes fresh and static-free with dryer sheets too!