Yes—those two tips are legitimate household uses for dryer sheets, although “absorb odors” is a little stronger than the evidence supports. Dryer sheets primarily add fragrance and reduce static, while wiping surfaces can help collect loose pet hair and dust. Whirlpool+1
🐾 Remove pet hair
Run a dry dryer sheet over sofas, chairs, clothing, blankets, or other fabric surfaces where pet hair is clinging.
The sheet’s anti-static coating helps reduce the static attraction that makes loose hair cling to fabric. The hair can then gather on the sheet and be picked up or vacuumed away. Tom’s Guide+1
Tip: Use long, gentle strokes in one direction rather than aggressively scrubbing the fabric.
👟 Freshen shoes and gym bags
Put a fresh dryer sheet inside each shoe or in a gym bag and leave it overnight. It can impart fragrance and make the items smell fresher. Whirlpool and Bounce both recommend this type of use. Whirlpool+1
However, this doesn’t actually remove the source of odor. For persistently smelly shoes or gym equipment, washing/cleaning the item and allowing it to dry thoroughly is more effective.
⚠️ A few cautions
- Don’t use dryer sheets on every fabric. Manufacturers advise avoiding them with some moisture-wicking athleticwear, microfiber, flame-resistant and water-repellent materials, because the coating can interfere with their properties. Maytag
- Be careful on delicate or specialty surfaces and spot-test first.
- For heavy pet-hair buildup, a vacuum, rubber glove, or lint roller will generally be more effective than a dryer sheet.
So the AI Overview is basically right, but I’d describe dryer sheets as a quick deodorizing and pet-hair/dust pickup hack, not a deep-cleaning solution.
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