If You Ever Find A Dryer Sheet In Your Mailbox, You Should Know The Important Reason It's There

Yes, that sheet has been put there deliberately – but not by a local joker with too much time on their hands. Who’s responsible then? Well, conveniently enough, it’ll be your mailman – the guy who’s often at the scene of the crime.

One particular mailman’s admitted to being a culprit, too. In 2021 Chris Strickley took to Reddit to reveal that he’s been placing dryer sheets inside mailboxes for a while now. He’s targeted folks in both Oregon and Idaho. And there’s a very good reason why he does it.

Strickley didn’t start the trend, though. That same year, he told NBC’s Today, “I began to see dryer sheets in people’s mailboxes at the start of spring. At first, I was confused but just left them in there. Later on, I noticed my supervisor had a box of them on their desk and would see other carriers taking handfuls out.” Weird!

Strickley eventually asked the obvious question: just why are mailmen taking handfuls of dryer sheets out with them? And the postal worker was more than happy to share the answer on his Reddit thread. It’s not USPS official protocol, mind you.

A USPS spokesperson told Today, “The social media post you are referring to is not a specific instruction or directive from the Postal Service.” And there’s some skepticism from the academic world, too. Texas A&M University’s Sonja L. Swiger said to Today, “The science does not add up, and it would seem that if this was a viable option there would be more discussion on it.” So, should we all be putting dryer sheets in our mailboxes or not?

Some Reddit posters didn’t take Strickley’s reveal seriously, either. “If there is a dryer sheet in your mailbox, that means a gang has marked your house for a home invasion,” one commenter quipped. But others thanked the mailman for sharing his unlikely life hack. Another Redditor wrote, “I’ll be putting a dryer sheet in there tomorrow. I love my mail carrier, and I have an insect phobia, so it’s a win-win.”

That’s right: insects play a major part in the whole dryer sheet mystery, as Strickley revealed on Reddit. He elaborated, “I can’t tell you how many times, especially during this part of the year, where I’ve opened up a box to see a little nest with three to five yellowjackets just chillin’. If I’m really unlucky, they will have made their nest at the very back of the box.” Ugh!

Showing how frustrated he gets, Strickley continued, “So, I wind up sticking my hand in not knowing they are there. We all know how temperamental these little [guys] are. And merely existing in their presence is enough to [annoy them]. Last year alone I was stung ten times on ten separate occasions.”

When should you be looking for these pesky critters? Generally in the summer and spring. Yellowjackets need to get out of the heat, you see, and a mailbox is perfect for that. But how do the dryer sheets factor in?

Well, Strickley clarified on Reddit that dryer sheets “should only be used as a preventative measure.” And if the creepy-crawly situation ever gets out of hand, he makes sure to inform the mailbox owner. Strickley added, “I just immediately leave a note on the customer’s door letting them know they need to take care of the nest before I can resume delivering their mail.”

But it’s not just mailmen who use the dryer sheet method. In 2019 Staci Hoppes took to Facebook to tell her followers that she’d been relying on the trick to combat an ant problem in her mailbox. And in an interview with Today two years later, she confirmed that it was still doing the job.

“I use it mainly when I start seeing any issue with ants, and it seems to take care of the problem rather quickly,” Hoppes said. “I haven’t really had a problem with anything other than the ants, so I’m not completely sure. But I’ve not noticed any other bugs around while the dryer sheets are in there.” Good to know!

So what is it about the dryer sheet that seems to make it insects’ number one form of kryptonite? Well, wasps in particular aren’t fans of anything with a distinct odor. It’s why many bug repellents feature ingredients such as citronella, eucalyptus and cloves.

Dryer sheets can be just as aromatic. That means most insects will make sure to give your mailbox a wide berth if you put a sheet inside it. But, of course, repelling insects isn’t the product’s main function.

Making clothes feel fresher and softer is why most shoppers add dryer sheets to their carts. They’re also useful for reducing the static that causes your garments to become attached to one another. And you won’t be surprised to hear that there’s nothing about repelling bugs on the packet!

The good thing is that you don’t have to spend a small fortune in the laundry aisle. Strickley told Reddit users that any dryer sheet brand will do the trick as long as the product has a noticeable odor. But he did advise swapping out the sheet every now and then to keep the smell inside the mailbox as strong as possible. Maybe it’s worth a try?

You’d be helping out your mailman, anyway! And postal workers have other tips to avoid getting stung or bitten. They’re advised not to wear aftershave or perfume, for instance, and apply bug spray instead. They should also be on their guard when eating candy or anything else that’s sugary – just in case. But is there really any science behind the dryer sheet method?

Well, while Swiger may have been dismissive, she still has an open mind. The entomology specialist told Today, “Now this does not mean that [the dryer sheet method] has not deterred wasps or yellowjackets at some point. It just means that research has not been able to definitively rule it as effective.”

You may not believe in the dryer sheet approach yourself. But Strickley begs you to let your mailman do his thing regardless. He told Reddit users, “So please, if you one day randomly see a dryer sheet at the back of your mailbox, just know that your carrier more than likely put it there to deter these Satanic creatures from building their home in it.” And seriously, if you’ve only been using dryer sheets when you do laundry, you’re totally missing out. Take our word for it: after trying these hacks, you’ll never go back!

The acetone that makes dryer sheets perfect for cleaning paint brushes also makes them great for removing stubborn nail polishes, such as those that contain glitter. Simply soak one in your usual remover and run them over your talons. Then, your natural nails will soon be revealed – all without the need for scrubbing.

Some unpleasant smells are practically unavoidable in bathrooms, but stashing dryer sheets inside your toilet rolls is a clever way to release scent every time you use the facilities. You may still want to keep an air freshener handy, but the dryer sheet will keep you covered in case you run out of your favorite fragrance.

Dryer sheets make brilliant dusters, thanks to their ability to repel dust. And they work particularly well when it comes to cleaning furniture and baseboards, as their static-busting properties make light work of lifting dust from surfaces. As a bonus, using dryer sheets in this way can also prevent dust from settling – meaning you can go for longer between cleans and enjoy some relaxation time instead.

Dryer sheets can refresh any small room without overpowering the senses with heady scents. You can also get creative with where you place these little squares of freshness. You could tuck them inside cushions, for instance, or hide them under furniture so that your guests will be unaware of your clever little trick.

Rid your iron of scorch marks and sticky starch residue using a dryer sheet. There are two methods of doing this. The first involves ironing a dryer sheet on low heat to remove any unwanted gunk. Alternatively, you can clean the cold iron base by rubbing a damp dryer sheet over it.

Garbage smells are unpleasant, to say the least. However, you can neutralize the odors caused by discarded food by placing a dryer sheet at the bottom of your trash can. As your waste accumulates, the little piece of fabric will soak up stinking odors, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh.

Amazingly, rodents apparently hate the smell of dryer sheets. With that in mind, they work wonders in repelling rats and mice. Simply place a few scented sheets in key spots around your home – any areas where pets are likely to lurk or near cracks and holes through which they can enter would be most sensible – and help prevent an infestation.

Another way to recycle used dryer sheets is to use them to dust off the screens on our devices. Electricity attracts dust and can leave our computers and phones looking worse for wear. But a quick wipe with an old dryer sheet will attract existing dust and prevent more from settling on our screens.

They may look pretty flimsy, but dryer sheets can be more effective than scourers when dealing with stubborn, baked-on food. Simply add a non-toxic dryer sheet to the offending pan or dish along with some hot water and leave it to soak. After a few hours, you’ll be left with a clean dish – all ready for your next culinary creation.

Spilling glitter is nothing short of a calamity – those sparkly, little reflective pieces get everywhere, and you’ll continue to find them in the most unlikely places for months! Next time disaster strikes, however, save yourself all that unnecessary drama by using a dryer sheet to wipe up the mess with little effort.

Some kids want to take their soft toys everywhere, and as a result, they can end up pretty grimy. This can be a real pain, as many stuffed animals should only be spot-cleaned. But by rubbing dryer sheets over these plushies, you can remove dirt with ease and keep them looking their best for longer.

Due to the fibers in dryer sheets, they are ideal for cleaning up any dry spillages. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to keep a box handy in your kitchen. That way, next time you’re baking or cooking, you can easily wipe up items like flour off worktops to leave them clean once more.

Given their design, window blinds are among the most awkward spots in the house to clean. However, one of the easiest ways to dust them is by slipping one dryer sheet over your fingers and running it across every individual slat. The anti-static fabric will easily collect dust, leaving you with perfectly clean blinds.

If your air conditioning unit leaves a stale smell in your home, why not fashion a dryer sheet into a makeshift fragrance filter? Simply attach one to the inside of your vent. That way, air will blow out through the scented fabric and give your room a continuous, pleasant aroma – all without any hard work on your behalf.

If you’ve taken anything from the previous hacks, you’ll know that it’s a good idea to keep some dryer sheets in the kitchen. Among their many uses, they’re excellent at cleaning chrome surfaces, such as faucets. And given their proven shining abilities, the laundry aids also come in handy when you’re buffing any chrome on your vehicles.

Over time, our vacuum cleaner bags can come to smell a bit musty. Worse still, while we’re cleaning up, this scent can be released into our homes – making them smell just as bad. In order to tackle this, try placing a dryer sheet inside of your vacuum bag. This will work to combat the unpleasant odor.

If your toilet could do with a clean but you’re pushed for time, this clever dryer sheet hack will be your best friend. Simply drop two sheets into the bowl and leave them to work their magic for a little while. Then, when some time has passed, remove them from the water and use them to wipe down the pot to leave it gleaming.

If you enjoy hand sewing but often find yourself in a tangle, try this little trick next time you reach for your needle and thread. Just run a dryer sheet down the piece of thread to eliminate static cling. That way, you can reduce the risk of the length becoming knotted or sticking together as you work.

Second-hand books are a great way to boost your reading list while also being kind to the planet. But well-thumbed pages often come with a distinctive musty smell. Some people can’t get enough of this aroma – but others would rather leave it in the thrift store. If you fall into the second camp, just place the book in a zip-lock bag alongside a dryer sheet for a couple of days.

Next time you unexpectedly run out of refills for your Swiffer, don’t despair. Instead, just reach for a couple of trusty dryer sheets and pop them around the mop head. The fabric is perfect for picking up dust and dirt, so they’ll work amazingly across your hard floors.