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  1. #1
    Registered User paintedstars's Avatar
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    Talking Fabric Softener Laundry Sheets to scare away animals

    I read this on this site and was wondering if anyone else uses Fabric Softener sheets to deter bears?

    "All animals hate the smell of fabric softener so bring lots of fabric softener sheets and put them everywhere. Put them in your knapsack, your tent, in your sleeping bag and even in your cooler. This is extra protection and will help mask the smell of food and keep curious animals away."

    http://www.twinj.com/how-to-keep-bea...m-campsite.htm

    From reading this forum all over about what to do with your food, I would prefer to just keep it in my tent in an OPSAK and then even from there put the individual opsaks that contain anything that comes in contact with food in a Hunter's Specialities scent proof bag. Any other advice would be appreciated. I know already of LONE WOLF's response about sleeping with food!

  2. #2
    Registered User RevLee's Avatar
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    Backpacker magazine has a never ending column of what attracts/repels bears.

    http://www.backpacker.com/ask_a_bear...ets/blogs/1807
    The mountains are calling and I must go.
    - John Muir

    http://postholer.com/revlee

  3. #3
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    Fabric Softener sheets are a powerful asthma trigger for many asthmatics. If you use these sheets, you need to be very careful exposing people in any kind of enclosed space. If you have these outside an odor-proof bag and entered an enclosed shelter, hostel, motel room that I was in, I would have an immediate asthma attack (within a couple minutes or less). You should ask before entering a room if anybody inside has asthma. If somebody else enters a room, you should ask if they have asthma and warn them.

    There are also questions on the long term safety of fabric softeners for everyone, but the asthma reactions can happen in minutes rather than years.

  4. #4
    Registered User Moose2001's Avatar
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    another stupid myth. Just hang your food and get over it.
    GA - NJ 2001; GA - ME 2003; GA - ME 2005; GA - ME 2007; PCT 2006

    A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.
    —SPANISH PROVERB

  5. #5
    Registered User Brady's Avatar
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    fabric softener has been known to repel a hippy or two

  6. #6

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    Don't believe everything you read. Especially on this site.

  7. #7
    Registered User paintedstars's Avatar
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    Okay, I won't be taking dryer sheets. =) I still would like to know about this food issue.

  8. #8
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    I heard you can use fabric softener sheets to keep cheese fresh on the trail.

    Also, I once saw a thru hiker weave several sheets into a survival bracelet.
    Last edited by Spokes; 03-15-2012 at 06:21.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spokes View Post
    I heard you can use fabric softener sheets to keep cheese fresh on the trail.

    Also, I once saw a thru hiker weave several sheets into a survival bracelet.
    Added bonus...these sheets turn hard cheese into soft, sweet smelling cheese! No more comments about who cut the cheese!

  10. #10
    Registered User The Cleaner's Avatar
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    I've heard that you can put them on your hat to repel gnats.....

  11. #11
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
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    i hear dogs can be used to repel animals
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  12. #12
    International Man of Mystery BobTheBuilder's Avatar
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    Who ever said all animals hate fabric softener sheets never saw my cat in a basket of warm laundry fresh from the dryer, Also, that little Snuggle Bear llikes them.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobTheBuilder View Post
    Who ever said all animals hate fabric softener sheets never saw my cat in a basket of warm laundry fresh from the dryer, Also, that little Snuggle Bear llikes them.
    Just the thought of this makes me angry as a person who is very allergic to cats. Nothing I would hate to see more in my fresh laundry than a dirty smelly cat rubbing its filthy hair and dander in my newly cleaned clothes. Don't get me wrong I like cats for the most part and think they are cute, but am biased because of my allergy.

  14. #14
    International Man of Mystery BobTheBuilder's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lunchbx View Post
    ... a dirty smelly cat rubbing its filthy hair and dander in my newly cleaned clothes. ...I like cats for the most part and think they are cute....
    "Smelly Cat, oh Smelly Cat, what are they feeding you?"

  15. #15
    Registered User turtle fast's Avatar
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    Its the CO2 from you that attracts most insects and the dryer sheets do not do anything but make you smell better and look sillier....pair it with an aluminum foil hat and you are in business to look crazy. Now I do think that it may be interesting and sweet smelling enough to attract a bear or raccoon to munch on your pack.

  16. #16
    Punchline RWheeler's Avatar
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    I like to put dryer sheets in my shorts so my farts cause people to be confused on how to feel about their juxtaposed mix of awful rancid odor and refreshing lavender.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by RWheeler View Post
    I like to put dryer sheets in my shorts so my farts cause people to be confused on how to feel about their juxtaposed mix of awful rancid odor and refreshing lavender.
    Interesting. I just spray my butt with Fabreze.

  18. #18
    Punchline RWheeler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spokes View Post
    Interesting. I just spray my butt with Fabreze.
    Is it good or bad that the first thing I thought of was "hmmm, when the can of Febreze is empty, I wonder if it could be used to make a good bottle-style stove..."

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by RWheeler View Post
    Is it good or bad that the first thing I thought of was "hmmm, when the can of Febreze is empty, I wonder if it could be used to make a good bottle-style stove..."

    Now you're stinking..... I mean, thinking!

  20. #20
    Punchline RWheeler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spokes View Post
    Now you're stinking..... I mean, thinking!
    It's both, Spokes... it's both.

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