Dryer Sheet Hack for Beading

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Now, I’m going to be up-front here. The dryer sheet hack isn’t my invention! It’s a clever little trick I’ve heard a lot of beaders using. In fact, this post is really two clever tricks to solve two common beading problems. So, read on to make your (beading) life a little easier…

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What two problems am I talking about?

These are just two little annoyances that won’t affect your beading, but they might affect your enjoyment. So, what are they?

Static electricity

Well, have you ever finished a project and, as you were trying to put back the leftover beads, they were so static they ended up sticking to your bead scoop, jumping over the board and generally being difficult?

Yes, that’s right, beads are just little pieces of glass, and they can be affected by static electricity, like a lot of things. (Now, I don’t know the ‘science’ behind that problem. So, if anyone else does, please leave a comment to explain it for the rest of us!)

Black dye

Or, are you a fan of Fireline beading thread? Have you tried the ‘smoke’ version? And did you find your fingers end up black?

Well, the ‘smoke’ Fireline is actually coated in a black dye which can rub off on your fingers as you work. Don’t worry, it does wash off! But some people find this more of a problem than others. So, what’s the solution?

Beading Tray

The dryer sheet hack for beading

It turns out that dryer sheets should actually be listed as ‘essential kit’ for your beading tool box! It doesn’t have to be new dryer sheets either. So, we can help the environment here too, by recycling some old dryer sheets for these hacks!

The first dryer sheet hack

Use the dryer sheet to wipe over your beading mat or bead board from time to time. This will remove the static that can make those beads jump around!

When you think about it, it’s logical really… We use dryer sheets to condition clothes, which includes removing static. So, the same idea works on the material of your beading mat.

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The second dryer sheet hack

If you’re working with ‘smoke’ Fireline, when you cut your length of thread, run it through the dryer sheet before you use it. This will remove any excess dye. So, your thread should still remain darker, but hopefully your fingers won’t turn quite so black!

And, by the way, you can also use a damp paper towel for this, if you don’t happen to have any dryer sheets to hand.

So, kiss goodbye to your black beading fingers…

The one problem I’m still struggling with is what to do about the static that gathers inside a new factory pack of seed beads. Ever tried pouring those out as they stick to the sides of the plastic and jump everywhere…?! I’m not sure the dryer sheet hack will work on that one, but maybe I’ll try it anyway!

So, I hope that little tip has helped you… Don’t be so quick to throw away your used dryer sheet next time. Pop it in your beading box instead! And if you want more handy beading tips, you can use this link, or sign up below to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

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6 Responses

  1. Terry Paterson says:

    Dryer sheets are hormone disruptors and can cause cancer. I wouldn’t be recommending their use if I was you. Just saying. Do some research if you don’t believe me.

    • beadflowers says:

      Thanks Terry – that’s good to know. Sadly, that is true of a lot of chemicals used in everyday products that we’re all encouraged to use. I’m glad you pointed this out and will leave it up to people to check it out and make their choices. As I said in the post, this is something that a lot of people already use, not a ‘hack’ that I’ve tried personally.

  2. Marilyn Peters says:

    I have found that by puffing a breath into the tube or bag containing seed beads will cancel the static and let the beads drop. Don’t know why this works ~ but it has for me.

  3. Laura Dicus says:

    I’m a watercolor artist so already have a collection of small spray bottles with a fine mist tip… and the distilled water used to fill them. I also keep one of these in the craft room for when I’m working with alpaca and silk fibers. I found myself reaching for one when I had a particularly static-y baggie of beads. I caught myself but the thought “why not?” And it worked fine. I just had to leave the beads out on the board for a few minutes before putting them away in tubes. The fine water droplets dried in no time, less than the time it took to make and drink a cuppa. In Seattle. With 100% humidity. With temps around 40F. No fan.

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