The smell of fabric softener has to be one of the most comforting smells — fresh and yet cozy at the same time. But you can use fabric softener in all areas of the house, not just in the laundry room. Here are some great hacks for keeping every room fresh and every surface clean with this simple laundry staple.

1. Toilet tank

Originally posted on Instagram by Sadie’s Professional Cleaning Services, this hack revealed how fabric softener will banish nasty smells with every flush without causing any damage to your toilet system. Pour a cup of laundry detergent/fabric softener into the tank of the toilet, and each time you flush, a sweet aroma will be released throughout the room.

2. Cleaning a burnt pan

Scorched pans can be a real pain. But instead of aggressively scrubbing them, try soaking the pan with a spoonful of fabric softener dissolved in warm water. Leave it to sit overnight and washing it will be much easier in the morning. The burnt crust will slide right off.

3. Cleaning wood

Lynsey Crombie, aka the Queen of Clean, suggests using fabric softener to wash wooden surfaces. As it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, it will gently remove dirt without damaging the surface. Best of all, it will leave the entire room smelling fresh.

4. Freshen up upholstery

Fabric softeners can be diluted with water and used as a fabric freshener for upholstered furniture, such as sofas, chairs, and cushions. Mix a small amount of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle, then lightly mist the fabric surfaces. Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that the fabric doesn’t react negatively.

5. Eliminating hard water stains

Those annoying water marks can appear on shower doors and on the faucet, making a clean bathroom look grimy. There are chemical cleaners you can use for this, but fabric softener is a great alternative. Add 1/2 cup of fabric softener into 1/2 cup of warm water and spray it onto the surface. Clean it with a sponge and let it dry. The stains should wipe right off and no chemical smell will be left behind.

6. Removing car stickers

This hack, suggested by an auto glass company, works on those on strongly bonded window and car stickers. First, peel off as much of the sticker as you can. Then to remove the sticky glue residue, dilute fabric conditioner in equal parts hot water and wipe over the area. After a little light scrubbing the sticker and glue should come right off.

7. Freshening curtains/blinds

Curtains can absorb all kinds of smells, from cooking to smoke to outside pollution. Having them professionally cleaned can be expensive and time-consuming. But you can keep your curtains smelling sweet with a fabric softener freshener spray. Add some softener and a 1/2 spoonful of baking soda to a spray bottle and mix with water. Just like that, you’ll be able to freshen up your curtains. This spray will also work on soft furnishings and linens.

8. Remove pet hair

Fabric softener sheets can be used to remove pet hair from clothing, upholstery, and carpets. Rubbing a fabric softener sheet over the affected areas helps to reduce static and makes it easier to collect and remove pet hair.

9. Soften up your carpets

Carpets take a lot of wear and tear, not to mention spills and feet! To fluff up the fibers and refresh the scent, mix hot water and fabric softener, spray it over the carpet, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and wash it off using a steam carpet cleaner. It’s important to wash it well if you have small children or animals.

This is an update by Hella Staff to an article previously published in August 2020 written by Ruthie Darling.