I cut the sheets in half and use them a few times....

Off subject of quilting with dryer sheets...but did you know that if you hang unused, scented dryer sheets inside your tent/camper, etc., the smell repels mosquitoes? Learned this when I was a Boy Scout leader. It does work.

Anita

I use the used ones usually, but if I'm out of used and need one for a quick cleanup (guests comming now) the new ones straight out of the box work just as well.

We've used new dryer sheets to repel mosquitos and other bugs. We were able to continue sewing on the deck during the "mosquito hour".

Another use: very well used dryer sheets can be melted (do this outside, heating puts the chemicals into the air-I suppose this is a polutant) to form a lacy mesh, then painted to embelish wall hangings. Melted poly is stiff, don't use on clothing or bed quilts.

I would not use them in a quilt...to many allergy problems. They are great for cleaning love bugs off your car.

I don't use dryer sheets very often so that's not an option for me. BUT I do use them straight out of the box when I have a pan that has cooked on gunk. Just put two in the pan, run water in it and let sit - usually over night. Then use the sheets to wipe out the pan. I suppose you could do the same with liquid fabric softener too.

Thanks so much for the link Rose_P, I'm printing the site info out for neighbor who's baby has been having a lot of respiratory problems, maybe this is the link as too why the poor thing has been on breathing treatments since he was born 6 months ago.

Plain old baking soda works extremely well for this and is cheaper and much safer!!!

It hurts to think of a little one suffering needlessly. I hope something helps right away, but I'm pretty sure the doctors would have advised the parents early on to not use fabric softener or scented products of any kind and to double rinse the baby's laundry. I would include the rest of the family's laundry, too because after all, when you hold a baby his face is up against your shirt. The scent isn't the only problem chemical in fabric softener.

Upshot is still: I wouldn't use fabric softener sheets in a quilt, especially a baby quilt.

Since this thread has morphed into a discussion of dryers and fabric softener, I thought I'd mention that you can use just plain white vinegar instead of softener. And plain white vinegar in the washer will remove the musty odor from towels that were left in the washer too long.

I'm allergic to virtually all fabric softeners except the original scent of Downey, to all fabric softeners that are in detergents, all dryer sheets, and Tide detergent in particular. It's a very uncomfortable feeling to have to scratch yourself all over, all the time, if someone else washes our clothes and doesn't know about my allergies.