I love gardening and hate waste — here's 5 ways I reuse dryer lint in my yard

Dryer lint on clothes dryer filter — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Whenever I clean out the filter on my clothes dryer, I always save the lint rather than discard it. As a gardener, I know that it can serve a purpose in my backyard, and I always add it to my compost.

I already reuse this fluffy deposit to enrich my soil, but it also has other uses, such as helping suppress weeds, deter pests, and even clean garden tools.

And if you’re into gardening like me, you're probably eager to recycle where you can. You’ve probably already heard of the no-dig garden method, which involves covering your soil with cardboard before adding a layer of compost. Similar to using dryer lint in your yard, it takes a leftover household waste and reuses it in a clever way.

Why is dryer lint good for your garden?

Dryer lint that contains natural fibers, such as those from cotton and wool, can be used in your yard. However, avoid using anything that may contain microplastics from synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and acrylic, as they won’t break down and can harm wildlife. To keep the lint chemical-free, you should also avoid using drying sheets and switch to using natural detergents and clothes softeners.

Next time you run your clothes dryer, instead of discarding the dryer lint, collect it to use in your yard. Here are five ways you can repurpose the fluff.

1. Add to your compost

Fruit and vegetables in compost — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Dryer lint decomposes quickly when mixed into the compost pile. It’s considered a ‘brown’ or ‘carbon’ material, which balances out the ‘green’ material, such as lawn clippings and kitchen scraps.

Composting is a great way to use up organic waste in our homes, while it helps reduce trash and encourages healthy plants.

2. Keep weeds at bay

Just like cardboard can help reduce weeds if you follow the no-dig method, or use a weed barrier cloth, dryer lint can do the same. However, you’ll need to build up a pile before having enough to use, unless you have a compact yard.

For maximum benefit, you’ll need to use between 1 and 2 inches of lint around your plants. This will be enough to stop the light reaching the ground, which weeds adore.

3. Deter slugs and snails

A snail eating a green leaf — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Slugs and snails can be kept at bay by placing a layer of this organic material around the base of plants. It acts as a barrier that makes it hard for these pests to cross, while also drying their skin.

However, it loses its fibrous quality when wet and will need replacing.

4. Mulch your plants

Fluffy lint can also be used to mulch your plants, and when placed on the top of the soil, helps regulate temperature, retain moisture, and reduce weeds. I think it’s ideal to use on houseplants and outdoor containers.

5. Clean up your tools

Cleaning pruning shears — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Rather than using paper towels to clean up your garden tools, such as your best pruning shears, save the waste by swapping to dryer lint.

I’ll be using it to clean and maintain my pruning shears, as it can be used to wipe them over with WD-40 or to add some mineral oil to extend their life. Dryer lint can also be used to maintain other garden tools that also require oiling.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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