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I am always looking for ways to reduce toxins in my home. I want to reduce my impact on the environment and use natural alternatives as often as possible.

Fabric softeners or dryer sheets have not been used for YEARS in my laundry. Once I learned about the toxins in them, I ditched them completely. My husband, who does his own laundry, was not so inclined to give up his dryer sheets (until recently). I have converted him over now, to using wool dryer balls instead of toxic dryer sheets!

I also make a Nontoxic Laundry Detergent for sensitive skin. Only 5 ingredients! No toxic laundry detergent for my family!

Check the grade of your product on the Environmental Working Group’s website. Read this informative article on the EWG website about the dangers of fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

When I heard how wool dryer balls could reduce drying time, eliminate toxins, and reduce static cling, I decided to try my hand at making them myself!

 


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Not everyone has the time, or desire, to make their own wool dryer balls. So I have researched wool dryer balls and found some for you to purchase if you don’t want to make your own!

What is the purpose of using wool dryer balls?

Wool dryer balls are a natural, non-toxic alternative to chemically laden dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners. Ingredients in fabric softeners and dryer sheets have been linked to eczema, respiratory irritation, asthma, and nervous system effects like headaches/dizziness.

Wool dryer balls are an all natural alternative. In my opinion, they are so much better than using plastic dryer balls that are available on the market. The plastic dryer balls are noisier than the wool dryer balls and they add to the plastic pollution epidemic. Wool dryer balls are made of 100% wool, all natural!

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

The dryer balls lessen drying time by creating space between the items in the dryer, so the warm/hot air comes in contact with more surface area of the items being dried. The dryer balls separate the laundry in the dryer so the hot air can circulate more evenly and efficiently. The use of the wool dryer balls also softens the clothes as the fibers in the balls gently tumble against the clothes and other items in the dryer.

By making your own wool dryer balls, you will save money too. You will not have to continually purchase dryer sheets or fabric softeners. Even if you decide to purchase wool dryer balls instead of making your own, you will be saving money and the environment. Win-win!

Do wool dryer balls really work?

It has been reported that drying time is reduced when using wool dryer balls in the dryer. It is recommended that the dryer balls are used with small to medium-sized loads as the balls need some space to work!

Static is often a result of over-drying your laundry.  Another cause of static in the dryer is synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, rayon, and acrylic.

Here are a few recommendations to reduce static in the laundry:

  1. End the cycle before the items are totally dry.
  2. Place a safety pin on one of your wool dryer balls to diffuse static.

How do I make wool dryer balls?

List of items you need:

 

 

Instructions:

  • Make sure to use 100% pure wool yarn. Do NOT use washable wool, as it will not felt.
  • To begin to make your ball, wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers about 12-15 times. Slide the yarn off your fingers and wrap around the center about 10 times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Continue wrapping the yarn tightly in all directions until you have balls of the desired size. The approximate size of a tennis ball is an adequate size.
  • Cut the yarn with your scissors. Using your tapestry needle weave the yarn tail through the ball multiple times, securing the tail. Trim any excess length of the tail.

 

  • Use the entire skein to make 4-5 balls. Place the balls into the pantyhose using dryer safe yarn scraps/cotton string to tie off the balls individually. Or you can tie the pantyhose between the balls. Do NOT use the wool yarn used to make the balls, as it will felt.

 

 

  • Wash your newly made dryer balls in a hot water cycle and dry them on the hot dryer setting to felt the balls. I did this with loads of laundry to conserve energy. It may take 5 or more loads for your wool yarn strands to bond together into the desired felted texture.
  • Remove the balls from the pantyhose and toss them into your dryer. At our house, we just keep the dryer balls in the dryer for every load.

 

Add fragrance with Essential Oils

Metal wall rack filled with bottles of essential oils.

Essential oils wall rack

Occasionally, I add fragrance to my laundry by using a few drops of essential oils on my wool dryer balls. I typically add a few drops to each ball and let the oils soak in for a while before adding them to the laundry. Ideally, wait for at least 30 minutes before putting the balls in the dryer after applying the oils. I will admit that at times I have not waited that long and did not have any issues!!

My go-to essential oil to use with the laundry is Lavender Essential Oil. I have also used Orange and Lemon Essential Oils. But the sky is the limit!  I want to try Citrus Fresh Essential Oil, Tangerine, and Joy Essential Oils. You can try using a few different oils together! I usually add the oils about every other week to my dryer balls. I have so many essential oil options! I have an extensive essential oil collection in my Wall Rack for essential oils/nail polish.

Using the essential oils gives a mild pleasing scent to the laundry without the use of toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment.

Pre-made Wool Dryer Balls 

You can find some excellent wool dryer balls on the market if you are not interested in making your own! After doing a bit of research I recommend SnugPad Wool Dryer Balls or Wooly Fresh Wool Dryer Balls. There are many other brands out there to peruse!

How long do wool dryer balls last?

This will, of course, depend on how many loads of laundry you do. But I have read that the balls can last for 1000 loads and beyond. If the balls begin to look untidy it may be time to replace them!

Since they are all natural, you can throw your raggedy dryer balls in your compost bin! We make fabulous, rich soil in our composter that goes straight into our vegetable garden. Less material going to the landfill and our garden soil is more nutrient-dense. Fantastic!

Wool Dryer Balls – Good for You and the Environment

Using wool dryer balls is a win-win situation. By using wool dryer balls you will lessen drying time, reduce toxins that you and your family are exposed to, and save yourself some money too.

Have you used wool dryer balls? What has been your experience? If you use essential oils on your wool dryer balls, what scents do you like? Please comment below!!