Dryer Lint Clay

Dryer Lint Clay

by Marilyn Mackenzie

A while back, I put a plastic container near the dryer, where I could toss the used dryer sheets and dryer lint.  Not having to walk across the room to throw these away was important, becuase of my fibromyalgia. 

Sometimes, just getting downstairs (I don't usually carry the laundry, but get my son or hubby to do that), then lifting the dirty clothes to waist high to drop it into the washer is enough of a chore.  Walking back up the stairs while the clothes wash, then back down again, then transferring the clothes from the washer to the dryer, tires me some more.  Then there's the trip back up stairs to wait while the clothes dry, and back down to take the clothes from the dryer and into the basket.  (Again, I don't usually carry them back upstairs.)  Whew.  Saving a few steps made sense.

So now I've accumulated quite a bit of dryer lint, and I remembered that I had instructions for making dryer lint clay saved on my computer.

Actually, I have instructions for dryer lint that is cooked and not cooked.

The Non-Cooked Dryer Lint Method of Making Clay

Materials: 2 cups dryer lint, firmly packed; 1/3 cup warm water; 6 tablespoons white glue; 1 tablespoon clear dishwashing liquid.

Instructions: Tear the lint up into little bits.  Mix everything in a bowl and knead until workable.  Make things, like you would with any clay.  Let creations dry for several days.

The Cooked Dryer Lint Method of Making Clay

Materials: 1 1/2 cup dryer lint, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup flour, 2 drops vegetable oil, newspaper, paint (optional).

Instructions: Tear the lint into small pieces.  Place lint in a saucepan and cover it with the water.  When the lint is saturated, add the flour and stir until it is smooth.  Add the drops of vegetable oil.  Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring constantly, until it forms peaks and holds together.  Pour it onto newspaper to cool.  Shape and model figures.  Allow to dry for 3 to 5 days.  Paint and if desired.

Cool, huh?  Did you know you could make something out of dryer lint?

Now...what shall I do with these used dryer sheets?