I have heard of people composting it. Now as a mulch... it would probably blow away (and look like an old patchwork quilt, given the way the lint from colors is a different color than the lint from the whites than the lint from the darks).

:)

i've heard of people putting it out for the birds to build a nest with.

Dryer loads containing nothing but synthetics produce considerable amounts of lint. I've no idea how rapidly those chemical-based particles would break down, or how helpful they would be to plant life if they did disintegrate. I seriously doubt that laundry lint will make a difference one way or another to my garden, so I think my trash can is the best repository for it.

Mine's all full of cat hair...

Mine's all full of Dalmatian hair.
:-)

Jeri

Compost. Go over to the Soil and Compost forum and do a search. Several people who responded to the thread linked below add dryer lint and vacuum cleaner bag contents to the compost pile.

Here is a link that might be useful: July Thread: What Have You Fed Your Compost Pile Today?

Rofl, cat hair!!
I think most of your lint would be cotton. Synthetics theoretically would never leave the clothes. So that's why those rayon leisure suits still look good after all these years, and your denim levis wear holes in them so fast because they are composting. Or could it just be that you never wear the leisure suits except on special occasions and your levis everyday?

Funny responses!!

Diane - I never would have thought of adding vacuum cleaner stuff into the composter. Great idea.

Well is anyone brave enough to try dryer lint as a mulch?? LOL!! I think it would turn into a dirty, stinky mess when we water. I'm not ready to try that.

I checked the link (thanks!) and looks like they have as much fun with composting as we do with roses!

Carol

carol, i think your suppose to WASH the clothes before you dry them , so the lint should be clean and smell like whatever flavor your detergent was.LOL!!
I don't compost, I quickpost (burn), that sterilizes everything, and the compost (ashes) are distributed by the wind to where they are needed. Most of the toxic stuff is turned to gases and floats away. the aluminum cans can then be recycled, and the iron ones buried to supply iron. It is so much fun being green!lol!

I removed a old birds nest from a bush yesterday and it was full of what looked like dryer lint.

I wouldn't use it as mulch, but it can go in a compost pile.

Len - I stand corrected! LOL :)

buford - I'm going to start saving mine for compost - I suppose it is a brown. Maybe in the spring I'll just let if fly! (for the birds, natch)
Carol