--- title: "6 Brilliant Ways to Use Dryer Lint Around Your Home and Garden" description: "Dryer lint can be more useful than you ever imagined. Here are six creative uses for dryer lint inside your home and outdoors in your garden." date: "2026-08-07" modified: "2026-08-07" authors: - name: "Sandi Schwartz" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/diy/uses-for-dryer-lint/" categories: - "DIY" - "Repurposing" --- # 6 Brilliant Ways to Use Dryer Lint Around Your Home and Garden ![Close up of a hand taking lint out of a dryer filter.]() *Photo: Nataliia Suietska via Shutterstock* Cleaning out your dryer’s lint screen is probably a habit you do on autopilot. You grab a handful of the fuzz filled with fibers, hair, and pet fur, and immediately toss it in the garbage can. And it’s important that you do this because letting it build up can increase drying time, overheat your dryer, and even lead to a fire since the [lint is highly flammable](). However, next time a load of clothing or towels is finished in your dryer, you might want to start a collection of this material by keeping it in a resealable bag or container since it can be more useful around the house than you ever imagined. Here are six creative uses for dryer lint inside your home and outdoors in your garden. ![Dryer lint fire starters near a fireplace.]() *Photo: [Touch of Natures Boutique]() via Etsy* ## 1. Use it to start a fire in your fireplace or fire pit. While dryer lint can become a fire hazard in your laundry room, this same substance can be helpful when you want to start a cozy fire in your fireplace or fire pit. Take advantage of this by making your own [DIY fire starters](). Simply stuff a few empty toilet paper rolls with dryer lint and keep them handy to throw in your next fire to get the spark going. Keep in mind that the lint won’t burn properly if it’s packed too tightly, so leave enough room for air to circulate through it. ## 2. Add it to compost. Incorporating dryer lint into your [backyard compost bin]() is an easy, eco-friendly way to enrich your garden's soil while keeping household waste out of landfills. Rather than relying solely on typical carbon sources like fallen leaves, lint serves as an excellent "brown" material to offset moisture-rich "green" waste like kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Its airy structure enhances oxygen circulation, regulates excess moisture, and breaks down rapidly to create a nutrient-rich growing environment. To ensure your compost remains [safe and microplastic-free](), only collect lint generated from 100 percent natural fabrics—such as cotton, wool, or linen—and avoid loads treated with chemical fabric softeners or dryer sheets. For the best results, scatter small, loose handfuls of lint across the top of your compost pile rather than dense clumps. ![Dryer lint lining the bottom of a small planter.]() *Photo: Jenny Stanley for BobVila.com* ## 3. Line plant pots. Another way to [reuse dryer lint]() is to line your garden containers and plant pots with it. Placing a layer of dryer lint at the base and slightly up the inner sides of a pot creates an absorbent barrier that prevents potting mix from washing out of drainage holes, while also helping the soil stay moist. Acting like a sponge, the lint releases water back to the plant’s roots over time. During the winter, it offers insulation for roots as well. However, this tactic doesn’t work for cacti or succulents. Remember to stick to lint that comes from natural fabrics like cotton or wool, since synthetic fibers can taint your plants. This is especially important if you are growing edible indoor herbs or vegetables. ## 4. Block drafts throughout your home. If you are feeling chilly in some rooms, get creative by making some [draft stoppers]() using the lint. This simple, affordable DIY project can improve your comfort and help save money on your energy bills if cold air is seeping through older doors and windows. Firmly stuff the dryer lint you collected from your laundry room into a tube sock, and then tie off the end of the sock so you can place it snugly in the drafty spots around your house. ![Using dryer lint to clean and lubricate pruners.]() *Photo: Jenny Stanley for BobVila.com* ## 5. Clean your garden tools. Rather than wasting paper towels when [wiping down your garden tools](), such as shears and shovels, try using dense clumps of leftover dryer lint. This free, zero-waste solution acts as an absorbent applicator for applying treatments like linseed oil that protect against corrosion and moisture. After scrubbing away dirt and rust using soap, water, and/or a wire brush, apply the oil using a glob of ‌lint. Never throw damp, oil-slicked lint directly into a trash bin or closed container because it could catch fire. Instead, spread the used lint flat in a well-ventilated outdoor area to dry completely before disposal. ## 6. Suppress weed growth. Instead of spending money on synthetic landscape fabric, you can repurpose your dryer lint as a free, biodegradable weed barrier. Spread a dense layer of lint about 1 to 2 inches thick over the soil to [block sunlight from reaching the ground](), ultimately preventing unwanted seeds from germinating. Because natural fiber lint decomposes over time, it delivers an eco-friendly barrier option that gradually integrates back into the soil without doing harm. For [optimal weed control](), start by pulling out any existing weeds by hand before spreading the lint around the base of your plants. Once evenly distributed, add a coat of mulch on top to give your garden beds a fresh look and stabilize the lint so rainwater doesn't wash it away. Make sure to only use lint derived from untreated, natural textiles to avoid introducing synthetic residues or chemicals into your garden beds. ## Author Sandi Schwartz is an environmental author and freelance journalist with over 20 years of extensive experience communicating science-based information to diverse audiences in the areas of sustainability, home/garden, green living, nature, and wellness. Sandi began writing for BobVila.com in June 2022. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()