“Dryer balls separate clothes better than dryer sheets, allowing hot air to circulate more evenly and efficiently, which then reduces drying time,” she says. “Because the wool from the dryer balls is so absorbent, dryer balls can reduce drying time by 10 to 25 percent.

Do they actually work? Short answer: yes they do! Dryer balls can dramatically reduce your drying times (sometimes even by 25%!!), they soften clothes, and, if used correctly, they reduce static in your laundry. Wool dryer balls are especially great, because they work silently (contrary to plastic and rubber balls).

Safe for use in both gas and electric dryers, simply place the dryer balls in your dryer at the start of a cycle. Be sure not to overload your dryer with laundry, as this can prevent proper drying and extend drying time.

As they bounce and roll around clothes stay separated, allowing hot air to get into the middle of the wet circulating mass easier and more efficiently. They also naturally soften your clothes, reduce wrinkles and static without any harmful chemicals or additives.

Vinegar and baking soda do a good job of naturally softening clothes, but they don’t do much for static. Wool dryer balls are a natural, reusable alternative. They go right in the dryer with your clothes and as the balls bounce around, they help air circulation to dry clothes faster.

The scents I recommend trying out first are lavender, lemon, tea tree, and orange. The easiest way to scent your dryer balls is to simply dab a few drops on 2-3 of the balls. Let them dry for about an hour (or quick dry them alone in your dryer) and then toss them in with your laundry.

While plastic balls are not as environmentally friendly as wool varieties, they’re durable and don’t leave behind any fibers in the laundry. Wool dryer balls, on the other hand, are the most durable option and can be combined with essential oils to infuse pleasant scents into your latest load of laundry.

Dryer balls effectively reduce the time it takes for clothes to dry, which can save you hundreds in gas and electricity over time. Dryer sheets have no impact on drying time. Dryer balls fluff clothes as they dry, which contributes to reducing static, softening clothes, and reducing wrinkles.

Steps For Making Wool Dryer Balls

1. Begin wrapping your wool yarn around your first two fingers about 10 times.
2. Pinch the bundle of yarn in the middle and pull off your fingers.
3. Wrap yarn around the entire bundle until you have the beginnings of a ball.
4. Continue wrapping tightly until your ball is the desired size.

It is totally okay to use a ball of foil inside the dryer. This will not effect your dryer performance.

1) Dryer balls reduce drying time and help clothes dry more efficiently which saves energy and money. 2) Dryer balls replace dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener saving you money because you can cross it off your shopping list! Wool dryer balls are an all-natural, chemical-free alternative.

You can put essential oils on your dryer balls, but it is a potential fire risk. However, many people do this with no problem. Essential oils have flashpoints, which is the temperature at which the oils will turn into vapor, with the potential of heat or another ignition source causing a fire.

Though individual results vary, it appears that the dryer balls actually do fluff fabrics and reduce drying time. According to a study done by Technicare Services Limited, dryer balls can decrease drying time by up to 25 percent, but an independent home study done by Green Energy Efficient Homes demonstrated a reduction of less than 10 percent.

The best wool dryer balls to buy Fan favorite: Smart Sheep. More than 28,000 satisfied Amazon shoppers agree that these WDBs do great things for their laundry. Organic option: SnugPad. Pack that gives back: Wise Wool. Pick that makes laundry day more fun: Wooly Heroes. Best storage option: East Cobb Products. Budget pick: Handy Laundry.

The wool dryer balls are significantly heavier than the plastic ones, and therefore move through your wet clothes in the dryer more efficiently, separating them, and drying them better. Even though they are slightly bigger and heavier than the original plastic ones, their bouncing and banging around in the dryer seem to be somewhat less noisy.

Dryer balls are sets of balls, either wool or spiky plastic. Their manufacturers claim that they help soften fabrics without chemicals in a tumble clothes dryer.