homeworks wool dryer balls

The Best Dryer Balls of 2024

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Product image of Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls

Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls

Reduced drying time

Hypoallergenic

Left some items damp

Needs high dry times for heavy loads

Product image of Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

Shorter drying time

Highly rated

Soften laundry

Needs longer drying times

Too much static

Product image of Whitmor Dryer Balls

Whitmor Dryer Balls

Not effective at softening fabric

Product image of Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

Cute shapes

Softened laundry

Product image of SnugPad Wool Dryer Balls

SnugPad Wool Dryer Balls

Chemical free

Inexpensive

Flimsy design

Cailey Lindberg

Updated January 12, 2024

Dryer balls claim to solve some of your worst laundry problems by shortening dry times and keeping your clothes from clumping during the cycle. They contain far fewer chemicals, serve as a natural fabric softener, and are better for the environment than those single-use dryer sheets. But do they really work?

To find out, we took to Reviewed's lab to see if they can improve your laundry loads, and find which ones are the best to buy.

These are the best dryer balls money can buy.

Budieggs Wool Dryer Ballshad better drying power than the rest of the products we tested.

  • Material: 100% New Zealand wool
  • Quantity: 6

The Budieggs had better drying power than the rest of the products we tested and left laundry really soft. In our lab testing, the Budieggs left T-shirts slightly damp to the touch after a single load, but that was true with every product we tested. The comforter we dried was also damp in the middle, but our testing found that most comforters did not dry completely without the use of tennis balls, even with longer drying times and higher dry settings.

These are the best dryer balls money can buy.

Smart Sheep is made by women and minorities who are paid a living wage.

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls, made of 100% New Zealand wool, are soft to the touch and were the most luxurious material that we tested, earning our pick as best wool dryer balls. While the Smart Sheep was on the more expensive side for dryer balls, the price can be justified by the quality of the wool and the way it's produced.

Like the Budieggs, the inside of the comforter we used in testing still felt damp and T-shirts were not completely dry, but that could be remedied with a longer dry time or higher settings. They were clearly high-quality and could be used over and over again.

Other Dryer Balls We Tested

Product image of Whitmor Dryer Balls

  • Material: Plastic
  • Quantity: 2

The Whitmore Dryer Balls are a solid choice if you don’t want to purchase wool dryer balls. These thermoplastic dryer balls are more durable than wool and would likely last longer than 1,000 loads. Compared with wool dryer balls we tested, there wasn’t a huge difference in terms of dampness. However, our test laundry wasn’t as soft when we took it out of the dryer.

Product image of Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls

  • Material: 100% organic New Zealand wool

Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls were certainly the cutest product that we tested, and come in multiple designs and colors. We chose the sloth-shaped dryer balls and found them to be quite fun to use. Although the Friendsheep were a bit of a novelty, they were also made of organic New Zealand wool and made our T-shirts and comforters soft to the touch. We loved using them, but they lacked drying power.

Unfortunately, the inside of the comforter we dried was still wet and our T-shirts felt slightly damp. Since the Friendsheep are pricier than other dryer balls we tested, this might not be something to consider if you’re interested in trying dryer balls for the first time. Then again, the cute designs may encourage your kids to help with the laundry!

Product image of SnugPad Wool Dryer Balls

SnugPad Dryer Balls, made of organic New Zealand wool, are baby-safe and chemical-free. However, they didn’t score many points for quality, durability, or drying power in our tests. Laundry still felt damp after drying for 40 minutes. It is possible that this could be changed with a longer dry time or higher drying temperature.

They were, however, the least expensive of the bunch, so if you want to try out dryer balls without a huge financial investment, these wool dryer balls might be a good budget option.

Product image of Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls

One thing that the Woolzies do have going for them is that you can add a few drops of essential oils on the wool fabric to make your laundry smell delectable. The Woolzies are also organic and chemical-free, but these wool dryer balls didn’t perform as well as others on our list. They actually did worse in terms of drying power—the entire comforter was still damp after drying.

Organic wool

Can be used with essential oils

Poor drying power

How We Test Dryer Balls

These are the best dryer balls money can buy.

Our lab team spent weeks laundering towels, t-shirts, and a queen-size comforter to find the best dryer balls.

Each load was weighed before and after washing and then dried for 40 minutes on a normal cycle. For every set of dryer balls, we dried each of the three loads on a timed dry cycle and measured its post-dry weight. We used the recommended number of dryer balls based on load size. For comparison, we also dried loads with a tennis ball to see how dryer ball results fared.

In addition to the more extensive lab testing, our tester brought the dryer balls home and used them in her day-to-day laundry life using her GE dryer. The testing load included multiple T-shirts, along with a few pairs of black yoga leggings covered in pet hair.

Dryer Balls Vs. Dryer Sheets

Because wet clothes take less time to dry, you should be careful about not running your dryer too long with dryer balls, which can create static electricity. We discovered that when using dryer balls, it is wise to reduce your normal drying time by 10 minutes to reduce static cling. If you’ve already over-dried your load, wetting the wool dryer balls and running your dryer for a few minutes should eliminate any residual static.

Dryer balls are capable of reducing lint and pet hair. During testing, black leggings completely covered in pet hair were completely shed free after using wool dryer balls. Your favorite essential oils also can be added to some dryer balls to make your laundry smell better.

One downside to dryer balls is that they will make quite a bit of noise in your dryer, but because they can be reused, there’s less waste than with dryer sheets.

These are the best dryer balls money can buy.

Dryer balls are capable of reducing lint and pet hair, which we found to be accurate during testing.

Dryer Ball FAQ

How do dryer balls work.

After removing bedding from a dryer, we’ve all found sopping wet pillowcases stuck inside a dry fitted sheet. Using dryer balls should help prevent this, as they aim to prevent laundry clumping.

Adding dryer balls to your dryer will effectively separate your laundry and keep clothes from wrapping around each other. All this allows more heat in, so you can dry your clothing in less time. Also, laundry that dries evenly should have fewer wrinkles.

How Do You Use Dryer Balls?

Using dryer balls is simple—just add them to your machine and watch them work. Keep in mind that dryer balls are not as effective on large loads, because they need space to work properly.

How Many Dryer Balls Per Load?

For small loads, three or fewer dryer balls should be sufficient. Six or more dryer balls may be needed for a large load.

How Long Do Dryer Balls Last?

Replace your wool dryer balls every 1,000 loads (or 2 to 3 years' time) to keep them working and looking their best.

Wool Dryer Balls vs. Plastic Dryer Balls: Which are better?

Wool dryer balls are heavier than plastic ones and separate your clothes better, which leads to shorter drying times. Plastic dryer balls will not be as noisy during drying, but they did not perform as well as the wool dryer balls in our tests. Overall, we found that the plastic dryer balls we tested left clothes damp, even with longer dry times.

More Articles You Might Enjoy

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the tester

Cailey Lindberg

Cailey Lindberg

Staff Writer, Updates

Cailey Lindberg is a Staff Writer at Reviewed and full-time Dog Mom to @sandor_thebassethound. In her spare time, she writes about music and history for Mental Floss.

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How To Use Wool Dryer Balls And Why They Work

Please tell me I’m not the only one who turned 30 before discovering how to use wool dryer balls! I’d always just tossed a dryer sheet in and called it good. It gave our clothes the lovely scent I was used to and softened them up. But on my search for safer cleaning products, I decided to swap out our laundry detergent and dryer sheets for gentler products without hidden fragrance.

If you haven’t started using wool dryer balls and are wondering why anyone could give up their lovely scented dryer sheets…read on! I’ll explain what they are, how to use them, and why so many people are using them now!

a pile of white wool dryer balls stacked on top of each other.

Benefits of wool dryer balls

I discovered dryer balls when searching for a chemical free dryer sheet alternative, but didn’t know all the other benefits of using them! Like:

  • Decreases dry time by separating clothes and allowing air to circulate more efficiently
  • Saves money on electricity
  • Never need to buy dryer sheets again
  • Keeps chemicals off your skin
  • Reduces problems for those prone to eczema or asthma
  • Decreases wrinkles (yay if you’re like me and don’t iron…ever)
  • Softens clothes naturally by bouncing them around
  • Eco friendly! No extra garbage, biodegradable, lasts for years, and replaces dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners.

More non toxic cleaning posts to enjoy:

If you are looking to make a few safer swaps in your home, be sure to check out my Dropps laundry and dishwasher review as well as my Branch Basics review . I wrote both after we had used them for about a year so I could really get a feel for the products.

You might also like how to deodorize stinky wooden cutting boards .

What are wool dryer balls used for and how are they different than dryer sheets?

Wool dryer balls are balls of real wool that you put in your dryer to speed up dry time, fluff fabric, soften clothes naturally, and replace dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets and fabric softeners are mainly used to soften clothes by coating the end of each fiber with a soft waxy substance that repels water. They also give a nice “clean” scent to your clothes and decrease static cling.

One downside to fabric softeners and dryer sheets is that your towels will never absorb water as well. In order to get that soft feel, the fabric softener and dryer sheets have to coat the fibers. This gets worse over time until you strip your towels. So you’ll have to choose super soft towels or super absorbent towels.

Wool dryer balls will probably never give your towels the exact same baby soft feel that dryer sheets and fabric softener can…but they will still be fluffy and fairly soft!

How to use wool dryer balls

Wool dryer balls are the easiest thing in the world to use!

  • Toss them into the dryer with a wet load of clothes.
  • Decrease your dry time by 10 minutes the first time and each time after until you find that sweet spot that dries your clothes completely. It will take less time than your used to, often around 25% less dry time!
  • That’s it!

Yes, you’ll hear bouncing sounds in the dryer. Kind of a downside but it’s not crazy loud if your dryer is in another room.

How many wool dryer balls should you use?

XL dryer balls like the best selling wool dryer balls on Amazon or the 3 pack multicolored balls from Dropps do great with 3 for small to regular loads, or more for large loads.

Remember, the dryer balls are bouncing between wet clothes creating pockets of air so 1 ball probably won’t do as good of a job as 3+ balls.

I will say that I used just 1 ball for a long time not knowing to use more, and it was STILL beneficial! On a regular to large load it reduced my timed load from 60 minutes to about 45. Then I learned more dryer balls work better at separating the wet clothes, and now usually use 2-3 and set my dryer for 40 minutes. (I don’t have a newer dryer that auto stops when it senses clothes are dry enough).

How long do dryer balls last?

This depends on the size of dryer ball (XL is what I use) and how often you do laundry. Smaller balls weigh less and will get used up faster.

One of the top rated XL wool dryer ball sets by Smart Sheep says they last for 1000+ loads. These are recommended by Good Housekeeping and made of premium New Zealand wool.

For me, even at 1 load a day that would last over 3 years! Apparently people like them because they have over 40K near 5 star reviews on Amazon.

homeworks wool dryer balls

Dropps’ Dryer Balls

homeworks wool dryer balls

I personally use the XL wool dryer balls from Dropps , also made of premium New Zealand wool. They are about the same size as the ones above, but they come in a 3 pack (1 white, 1 charcoal, 1 black) and say good for 10K loads! I’ve used mine for a year and barely notice any size difference.

  • Use cream for white loads
  • Black for darks
  • Charcoal for mixed

I LOVE the multi color pack because I don’t get black wool on white clothes or white wool on my husband’s black scrubs.

If you don’t buy Dropps wool dryer balls , I’d still look for a set of white ones and a set of black ones. I find that having 2 sets of my Dropps dryer balls is plenty.

Set of 3 wool dryer balls from Dropps, including a black, white, and gray ball sitting on a stack of hand towels.

Save 15% off your Dropps order with the code DROPPS15

homeworks wool dryer balls

If Wool Dryer Balls reduce static cling, why are my clothes still sticking together?

One of the things wool dryer balls CAN help do is to reduce the static cling. But I’ll admit, a LOT of my loads still have static cling. And it’s the number one complaint I see for wool dryer balls. So why might your clothes be stuck together in a big pile at the end?

Static electricity forms in your dryer when the clothes rub up against each other over and over again creating friction.

The balls help to reduce static electricity just by bouncing around in there, but it’s not always cling free. I learned there are a few things to try if your clothes are still very clingy when dry.

  • Decrease the dry time! This is probably the main issue most people have, and it’s easy to go too long. Drying your clothes too long increases static electricity and wastes energy. It’s almost always less time with wool dryer balls than your timed dry loads suggests, so just play with it. I think it’s my main problem when my clothes cling.
  • Hang dry synthetic fabrics. Apparently synthetics like polyester and nylon create more static electricity, so just hang drying those few items in there should help the whole load.
  • Add a crumpled tinfoil ball to the load. I’ve never done this, but it discharges static build up, pretty cool!

Here’s a few more tips on reducing static cling in your dryer .

Is it safe to add essential oils to your dryer balls?

A lot of people add essential oils to their dryer balls to give their laundry some scent. From what I’ve seen, people use 2-10 drops or so every 4-5 loads or as scent goes away.

However, I’ve chosen not to do this because I worry about the added fire hazard since essential oils are potentially flammable with high heat.

According to consumer reports, US firefighters respond to over 13K house fire calls yearly caused by dryers. Here’s an article on what you should do to prevent dryer fires .

I do use Dropps Orange Blossom fabric softener pods (scented with essential oils) in my wash loads, but supposedly the tiny amount gets washed out with the water. There’s still a light scent left behind even after clothes are dried (which is LOVELY)! It seems less direct to me than adding oils into the dryer.

Are wool dryer balls better for the environment than dryer sheets?

Definitely! The EWG warns against using dryer sheets for environmental reasons, and for the loads of chemicals and fragrances that could bother the skin and worsen asthma.

Using wool dryer balls instead means:

  • less chemicals used and produced
  • wool dryer balls are not a one time use product, so less waste
  • biodegradable
  • reduces dry time, saving electricity

Is it more expensive to invest in wool dryer balls than dryer sheets?

A 240 count pack of Bounce dryer sheets will cost you around $9. This top selling 6 pack of wool dryer balls will cost you $17 and last around 1,000 + loads (3+ years). Or, the Dropps 3 pack of dryer balls I use last for 10K loads and go for $25.

So based on cost of product alone, you will break even if not save money .

The real savings comes from your energy bill when you decrease your dry time around 25%. While cost isn’t the reason most people change over, it’s nice to know you’re not losing money.

If you have 100% real wool yarn at home, then you can also make your own dryer balls !

Wool dryer ball challenge

Try switching for half a year and see if you are happy with your laundry! If not, you can easily go back to dryer sheets.

Test out how much dry time you are saving, see if you really miss that dryer sheet smell, and easily decrease the chemicals on your skin and in your home!

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The ultimate guide to using and caring for wool dryer balls

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Caring for wool dryer balls

I bought 200 wool dryer balls.  And they were not returnable.

You should have seen my husband’s face when I told him how many hundreds of dollars we spent on dryer balls. It wasn’t woolly great, my friends.

On the positive side, I now know more than I EVER wanted to know about using and caring for wool dryer balls.

Click here to jump to the guide.

After skirting, handwashing (several times) and drying our wool from our four Babydoll Southdown Sheep, we brought it to a local mill.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have time to process the wool right away and it became too brittle in storage to use for yarn. But they assured me it would be perfect for dryer balls. So, having no clue as to how many wool dryer balls four sheep can produce, I said, Great idea!

Shearing a Babydoll Southdown Sheep.

A week later I got an email saying my 200 dryer balls were ready for pick up and payment. At first, I thought there was a mistake. 200? I questioned. She assured me that yes, each of my four little sheep grew 50 dryer balls in one year.  

Shearing a Southdown Babydoll Sheep

Thankfully, many of my amazing local friends, family, neighbours and subscribers (I SINCERELY LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO, SO, SO MUCH!!!) purchased dryer balls.

homeworks wool dryer balls

If you are interested in a set of 3 wool dryer balls from our sheep ($25 Canadian), please message me on Facebook or Instagram . I have 16 sets left. You can also find lots of wool dryer balls online or make your own (a post coming soon!).

In the meantime, as you can imagine, I have quickly learned more than I (and likely you) EVER wanted to know about using and caring for wool dryer balls.

Two Southdown Babydoll Sheep who have just been sheared.

So, without further ado, here is….

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING AND CARING FOR WOOL DRYER BALLS

What are wool dryer balls, what are wool dryer balls made of, how do wool dryer balls work, how do i use wool dryer balls.

  • Do wool dryer balls reduce drying times?

What are the benefits of using and caring for wool dryer balls?

Can i add essential oils to wool dryer balls, how are wool dryer balls different from plastic dryer balls or tennis balls, what is the difference between wool dryer balls and dryer sheets, how do wool dryer balls soften clothes, how do i store and care for wool dryer balls.

  • How many dryer balls should I use?
  • Should I only use the dark brown balls with dark coloured loads and light, cream balls with light coloured loads?

Will wool dryer balls lint on dark clothes?

Do wool dryer balls leave lint, can i use wool dryer balls with baby clothes or cloth diapers.

  • Can they help remove pet hair?

What do I do if I have static cling?

Help my wool dryer balls are pilling, do wool dryer balls smell like sheep, can i use wool dryer balls if i’m allergic to wool, can wool dryer balls cause itching, can i clean my wool dryer balls, how long will my wool dryer balls last.

  • How do I know when my dryer balls need to be replaced?
  • It’s time to replace my wool dryer balls. What should I do with the old ones?

They are “amaze” balls. At least that is what my friend, who bought a set from me this summer, nicknamed them. She was genuinely surprised by how much they actually reduced her drying time.

For example, if it normally takes you an hour to dry a load of towels, it will only take about 45 to 50 minutes with the addition of dryer balls. Test it for yourself! You will be baaaffled and amazed.

As the name suggests, they are made of 100% wool and are shaped like tennis balls. They are extremely durable and the felted wool will not unravel for many years. In fact, they can work their magic on thousands of loads of laundry. Best of all, using and caring for wool dryer balls is a breeze.

Wool dryer balls are completely natural and eco-friendly. They are made of 100% wool and will not only reduce your energy use but help eliminate static cling and pet hair. Wouldn’t ewe know it?

If you throw a pile of wet clothes in your dryer, you will notice everything clumps together until the items are dry enough to allow warm air to circulate between them. But if you add a few dryer balls to your laundry, they will happily bounce between and separate the pieces of clothing so warm air can immediately travel evenly amongst the layers of clothing and dry them 20% to 25% faster.  The balls also retain the heat they receive from the dryer and therefore quicken the drying process.

BONUS : Because wool dryer balls are made of wool, they also absorb water (some sources claim up to 30% of their weight).

Do not cram your dryer full of clothes. Leave some room for the dryer balls to do their magic.

Creamy white, Babydoll Southdown Sheep roving.

It’s so simple that all you have to do is open your dryer and add three or more dryer balls in with your laundry. Now turn on your dryer and let those amaze balls save you energy. It is recommended to use at least 3 balls. Personally, I use 6 or more especially for extra large loads.

If your dryer doesn’t have a sensor that automatically turns off the machine when your clothes are dry, keep an eye on your load to ensure you don’t over-dry your clothes. This can not only wear out your clothes faster but it can cause static cling.

Do wool dryer balls reduce drying time?

Yes!   If it normally takes you an hour to dry a load of towels, it will only take about 45 to 50 minutes with the addition of dryer balls. Test it for yourself. Do an equal load of towels with and without dryer balls and time the difference.

Before buying 200 dryer balls and spending hours researching and putting together this guide on using and caring for wool dryer balls, I thought the main benefit of dryer balls was that they reduced your energy costs, but there is so much more to these woolly balls:

DRYER BALLS ARE WOOLY GREAT BECAUSE:

You will save money $.

Not only will you reduce your energy costs (about .10 per load, which works out to $36.5 per year if you do a load a day), but you will also save money on dryer sheets. A dryer sheet costs about 0.12. If you use one per day, you would spend $43.8 per year. Switch to dryer balls and you can save a total of $80.3 per year. Admittedly, that may not sound like a lot ( you may want to save even more money by making your own laundry soap ), but there are many more reasons to choose dryer balls.

You will cut your energy use

If you save just 10 minutes on every load of laundry you dry and you do one load every day, you would save 550 watts (depending on the electricity use of your dryer). That’s a savings of more than 200 KW of electicity each year. Now imagine if every person in North America switched to dryer balls. Since there are over 126 million households in the US alone, we’d save millions and millions of KW of energy. Let’s hear it for dryer balls and the little sheep who grow them!  

Shrink your drying time by 20% or more

When you are waiting impatiently for your favourite pair of jeans to dry, you’ll appreciate those extra 10 or 15 minutes you’ll save by using dryer balls.

Eliminate static cling

You would think all that bouncing around would contribute to static cling, but by preventing your clothes from rubbing together, you also prevent static from building up.  

Wool also absorbs and holds onto moisture, which means they actually elevate the humidity levels in your dryer and limit the chance of static.

WARNING: Whatever you do, do not over dry your clothing! If the air becomes too dry, it will cause static.

If you have problems with static, try spraying your wool dryer balls with water before starting your next load to ensure the humidity remains high.  

Reduce wrinkles

One surprise benefit of using wool dryer balls is they help reduce wrinkles. This is most likely because of how they keep clothing from clumping together.

Three handmade wool dryer balls

100% natural, eco-friendly and non-toxic

Made of 100% wool, dryer balls are environmentally friendly unlike disposable products such as plastic dryer balls, dryer sheets and fabric softeners and conditioners.

Since we wear our clothes all day and then sleep all night in our sheets, what we choose to wash and dry them with affects our health. For example, dryer sheets are covered in harmful chemicals, which can get absorbed into your clothes and hence your skin. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s review of Bounce Dryer Sheets, which scores a D for high concern to our health and the environment. Wool dryer balls are a great non-toxic alternative that will also save you energy.

Reusable (1000 loads or more!)

I’ve had the same dryer balls for years and their drying magic has not worn off. Some say after 1,000 loads you may need to replace them. Still, this is much better than dryer sheets.

I couldn’t find an exact number as to how many dryer sheets end up in the landfill, but the global fabric softeners and conditioners market size in 2018 was estimated at 16.53 billion USD. If one dryer sheet costs 0.12, that’s billions of dryer sheets that end up in our landfills every year.

Big deal, you may think. It’s just a dryer sheet. But it’s not.  In addition to the chemicals and the artificial fragrances used in these products, dryer sheets are coated with other environmentally harmful chemicals. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s review of Bounce Dryer Sheets, which scores a D for high concern to our health and the environment.

Compostable

Don’t throw those wool dryer balls in the garbage. Use them in your compost. Plants love the water retention abilities of wool.

Can be naturally scented with essential oils

Most laundry products smell nice, but are synthetic perfumes good for our health? The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists 3,059 materials that are reported as being used in fragrance compounds. Of these 3,059 ingredients, some have evidence linking them to health effects including cancer, reproductive toxicity, allergies and sensitivities. Is any of this true? I really don’t know. But if you want your clothes to smell nice, why not try essential oils instead.  

Yes, but with caution.  Only use a few drops per dryer ball and let dry (you don’t want any oil stains on your fabrics) before using in your laundry. You should also use caution when choosing which essentials oils to use in your dryer. In some cases, heating essential oils to a high temperature in a clothes dryer has caused fires. Yes, you read that right. But don’t freak out. I have been using essential oils in my laundry for more than 10 years and have never started a fire. But, I wanted you to be aware that it is possible. Please read this article from Emma Loewe, Senior Sustainability Editor at mindbodygreen, which says:

“Different essential oils have different flash points. The flash point is the temperature at which enough of that oil has vaporized into the air that it could ignite. Once oils are exposed to temperatures that exceed this flash point, they become a potential fire hazard. This is why it’s important to check on the flash point of any oil before popping it directly into a hot machine.” https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/essential-oils-in-dryer-safety-guide

So, which essential oils do I use? Sandalwood, geranium and cedarwood are all safe for the dryer. Emma recommends avoiding oils that have low flash points (closer to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) such as the mint family, citrus family and eucalyptus.

Plastic dryer balls and tennis balls are both made of plastic which, once heated, can release harmful chemicals . Wool dryer balls, which are made of 100% wool, are completely natural. They are also much gentler on clothing and make less noise bouncing around the washing machine than plastic balls.

Dryer sheets are coated with artificial fragrances and other environmentally harmful chemicals. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s review of Bounce Dryer Sheets , which scores a D for high concern to our health and the environment .

Dryer sheets are also not reusable and billions of them end up in our landfills every year.

Wool dryer balls, on the other hand, are made of 100% wool and are completely natural. Wool dryer balls also have the added benefit of speeding up your drying time and reducing energy usage in the process. They are also reusable and compostable.

Handmade wool dryer balls

I’m not sure they do. I couldn’t detect a noticeable difference in the softness of my clothing with or without dryer balls.

Caring for wool dryer balls is easy. I simply leave mine in the dryer. But you can also keep them in any well-ventilated area. Wool needs to breathe so don’t store them in plastic.

How many wool dryer balls should I use?

It really depends on your dryer and the size of the load. Never use less than 3 balls. I prefer to use 6, especially for large loads. But you can use more than that especially if you do a lot of extra-large loads. The more balls you use, the less time your laundry takes to dry. Isn’t that woolly awesome?

Should I only use the dark brown dryer balls with dark coloured loads and light, cream dryer balls with light coloured loads?

We have one black sheep in the family and she produces beautiful, chocolate brown dryer balls, which you can use in any coloured laundry load. There is no risk of the colour transferring to your favourite white t-shirt.

This is similar to the question above. No, they will not.  I’ve been using and caring for wool dryer balls for years and have never had any such problems. They can be used with any coloured load.

No, they should not leave any lint on your clothing although I have read that this can happen with new dryer balls. This hasn’t happened with my own, but if it did occur, it should stop after a few loads or you should try a different brand of dryer balls.

I would argue that wool dryer balls are the best choice. Made of 100% pure wool, they are completely safe and non-toxic.

Can wool dryer balls help remove pet hair?

Yes! Wool dryer balls separate the items in your laundry so air can circulate evenly between them, which helps loosen pet hair. At least that is what I’ve read. Here is an article from USA Today, which confirms that wool dryer balls remove pet hair and offers some other suggestions to help remedy this problem.

Make sure you are not over-drying your clothing, which can cause more static and wear out your clothing prematurely. Synthetic materials such as polyester can also cause static. Try hanging them to dry or stopping the dryer prematurely and letting them air dry. You can also try spraying your wool dryer balls with water (this will not increase drying time) before starting your next load to ensure the humidity remains high.

In some cases, the balls can become so dry that they can’t absorb humidity. You can restore them by placing each ball in the bottom of a clean sock and washing them in hot water on a gentle cycle. Dry them on high heat. This will regenerate the wool.

Your wool dryer balls may start to pill over time (bits of lint attaching to them).  You can remove the pills or leave them. It won’t affect their effectiveness.

Four Babydoll Shouthdown Sheep in the barn.

Thankfully, no. The wool used to make dryer balls has been thoroughly washed and cleaned. Wool dryer balls smell just like any other wool product such as a 100% wool yarn or a 100% wool sweater.

Yes, the dryer balls will not shed or pill onto your clothing. If you have an allergy to lanolin, it has already been washed away during the cleaning of the wool itself. If it is the bristly fibres that cause an allergic reaction, don’t touch the dryer balls directly. Use gloves or a cloth instead.

No, they will not cause itching as they do not shed or pill onto your clothing. However, if you are sensitive to the bristly fibres of the wool, you may want to wear gloves while handling the dryer balls themselves.

Yes, you can clean wool dryer balls! Simply wash them with your next load of laundry. Place each ball in the bottom of a clean sock and wash them in hot water on a gentle cycle. Dry them on high heat.

I have been using my wool dryer balls for more than five years and they still get the job done. However, I have read that after 1,000 dryer loads, they may start to look scraggly and unravel.

How do I know when my wool dryer balls need to be replaced?

Eventually, your wool dryer balls may start to unravel. Time wool tell. Mine haven’t yet – even after using them for five years. But when they do, it is time to replace them. But don’t throw them in the garbage. Use them in your compost!

It’s time to replace my wool dryer balls, what should I do with the old ones?

Use them in your compost. Plants love the water retention abilities of wool.

I hope this guide to using and caring for wool dryer balls has encouraged you to make or get your hands on some wool dryer balls (just maybe not 200 of them). If there is something I missed, please leave your question in the comments below and I will be happy to answer you.

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May 12, 2021 at 10:05 pm

Would love a few of your real wool dryer balls! If not now then next shearing :).

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September 30, 2021 at 5:11 pm

Thank you for this info. I’ve been using mine for 7 years and they are a bit scraggly. I was looking for info on reducing static cling and found you. We live in the mountains of Colorado. Humidity on average below 40% and winter below 20%.

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October 1, 2021 at 4:02 pm

Hi there! You’re welcome and I hope you found the information useful. You can reduce static cling by spraying your dryer balls with a little water. Thank you!

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March 13, 2022 at 3:01 pm

Thank you for the ultimate guide on wool balls. Mine need to be regenerated by washing. 🙂

March 14, 2022 at 9:12 pm

You’re welcome! And thank you! 🙂

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Why wool dryer balls work & how to use them (plus, a safety tip).

Emma Loewe

While you certainly don't need dryer balls to do the laundry, they can help keep your clothes soft and static-free. These tennis-ball-size dryer accessories can be made up of rubber or plastic, but more often you'll find them in natural materials like wool. A reusable swap for single-use dryer sheets, they do the same job of drying and softening clothes—just in a more environmentally friendly way. Using wool dryer balls is pretty straightforward, but here are some insider tips and best practices for getting the most out of yours. Plus, a note about why you actually might not want to put essential oils in them.

How well do dryer balls actually work?

For something so simple, dryer balls work surprisingly well. "Wool dryer balls reduce static and drying time by separating clothes and allowing hot air to circulate evenly and efficiently. The wool from the balls also helps reduce drying time by absorbing some of the moisture from the clothes," Julia Watkins , the author of Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home , explains.

Many wool dryer ball sellers claim that their product reduces drying time by about 25%, and in my experience, this sounds about right! The tool can be especially helpful for drying larger items like towels, sheets, and pillowcases more quickly since they prevent them from clumping into one big impossible-to-dry blob.

How do I use them?

Just pop two or three of them (depending on your laundry load size) in your dryer before you run the machine. And don't be alarmed if you hear some extra thudding in there; dryer balls can be a little noisy as they bounce off the walls of your machine. Allow them to air dry between uses to keep them fresh.

If you notice that your dryer balls are starting to be less effective over time, throw them in the washing machine on high heat (this is one of the few times you need to wash with hot water) and then dry them in the dryer for a quick refresh.

How long do they last?

"One set of dryer balls usually lasts for up to 1,000 loads of laundry, which equates to about two to three years for most households," says Watkins. When you compare this to the hundreds of single-use dryer sheets you'd use in the same time frame, it makes sense that dryer balls are popular among the low-waste crowd .

Watkins points out that since they reduce drying time, they can also help you cut down on your laundry's energy use. Plus, when their two- to three-year life span is up you should be able to compost your wool dryer balls. Just check in with the manufacturer to make sure they're 100% natural first. You can also flex those DIY muscles and repurpose them into craft projects or seasonal decorations.

Can I make them smell good?

Dryer balls are naturally unscented, so some people will use essential oils to give them a fragrant pop before popping them in the dryer. This should be done with caution: Certain essential oils such as rosemary , eucalyptus , and lemon can be flammable at high temperatures and pose a potential fire hazard in the dryer. Plus, not all essential oils are skin-safe, so if you're new to the EO realm, it's best to keep them in the diffuser instead of on your clothes.

Where do I find them?

You can either make your own wool dryer balls out of wool yarn encased in a pair of pantyhose, or buy them premade. A pack of three usually falls in the $10 to $20 range. Watkins can vouch for the Woolzies brand dryer balls . Grove Collaborative , Branch Basics , and cleancult are a few more green cleaning companies that sell their own versions.

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How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

A Natural and Reusable Alternative to Dryer Sheets

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

homeworks wool dryer balls

Amanda Rose Newton is a pest specialist and horticulture expert, reviewing pest control and gardening content for The Spruce's Cleaning and Gardening Review Board. Her passion for pest control and sustainable gardening allows her to review plant and pest content for best practices and accuracy. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. She is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and a pest specialist.

homeworks wool dryer balls

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

  • Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls

Instructions

  • How to Use Wool Dryer Balls
  • Working Time: 2 - 3 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 3 hrs
  • Yield: 3 or more wool dryer balls
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Dryer balls are an alternative method to keep clothes soft and static-free instead of using fabric softener or dryer sheets . You can find a variety of dryer balls on the market. There are balls made from PVC that look like little hedgehogs as well as felted wool balls. Some people swear by adding tennis balls to each dryer load to speed drying and reduce wrinkling. But you can also make homemade wool dryer balls.

Making your own felted wool dryer balls is simple and a great way to use up leftover 100% wool yarn. Dryer balls need to be crafted from 100% wool that has not been treated with any chemicals. You can even recycle wool sweaters that are no longer wearable. Dryer balls are also much less expensive to make than to purchase. Wool dryer balls are also so soft that they can't hurt your dryer even when they're bouncing around. And since they're wool, they don't hold moisture for long and can't get moldy.

Benefits of Using Wool Dryer Balls

  • By choosing a 100% natural wool ball to soften clothes, you can avoid introducing chemical residue and fragrances to fabrics that can be harmful to sensitive skin.
  • Wool dryer balls help keep clothes separated in the dryer, allowing the heated air to circulate better, dry items quicker, and reduce energy usage.
  • The wool balls also capture static and  prevent static cling .

What You'll Need

Equipment / tools.

  • Large needle or crochet hook
  • Clothes dryer
  • 100% wool yarn or 100% wool fabric strips
  • Small amount of cotton string
  • Old thin sock or pantyhose
  • Cooking pot

The fabric or yarn to make dryer balls must be 100% wool or another animal hair (like alpaca, but not cashmere) that will shrink, or felt, when exposed to hot water. The natural hair has barbs that latch onto one another to create a more solid finish. This will provide the density you need for the ball to hold its shape. The natural fibers also help control static much better than synthetic fibers.

How To Make Wool Dryer Balls

Prepare materials.

If you're going to use old woven or knit wool fabrics, like old coats and sweaters, cut the garment into thin strips or ribbons.

Wind Up a Ball

Wind the wool yarn or fabric strips into a ball. Start by wrapping them around your fingers, and be sure to switch directions often to get a ball that's equally round—the same way you'd wind a ball of yarn. Wrap tightly and in an orderly fashion until you have a ball about the size of a tennis ball, around 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Secure the end of your yarn by running it under several strands of yarn. This can be done with a large needle or a crochet hook. It's best to make several balls before proceeding to the next step.

Some suggest using a tennis ball as the core and adding wool yarn or fabric around it as a quick way to make a ball. But these balls won't last as long as a solid wool ball, and you still have the problem of chemical exposure.

Create a Sack of Balls

When the balls are the correct size, put them into an old sock or the leg of a pair of pantyhose, using cotton string to tie off between each one.

Soak and Felt in Hot Water

Add the filled sock or pantyhose to a pot of hot water, and bring it to a boil, which will make the felted dryer balls. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat source, but allow the balls to soak until the water is cool. The hot water will cause the wool to shrink and felt. If you're using anything other than white or natural-colored wool, you may see some dye transfer. Some dyed wool yarn or fabric is not colorfast . This won't be a problem when the balls are finished and used in the dryer.

Dry the Core

Next, squeeze any excess water from the balls, and put the sock of balls in the dryer to dry on high heat . When dry, cut the strings between the balls, and remove them from the sock or pantyhose. The balls will be smaller (due to felting) and should look fuzzy. You shouldn't be able to unwind them. These balls become the core of your final dryer balls.

Finish the Ball

Using the ball cores, begin the wrapping process again with the wool yarn or fabric strips. Keep wrapping until the ball is around 3 1/2 inches in diameter. This is slightly bigger than the final product. Repeat the soaking and drying process.

How to Use Your Wool Dryer Balls

  • Put three to six balls at a time into your dryer, depending on the size of the load. You can take the balls out of their stocking or socks or keep them in while using them to dry your laundry; it's your choice.
  • Spray your balls with water and put them in the dryer to create a steam effect which can further reduce wrinkles.
  • Make your wool dryer balls smell good by adding a couple of drops of essential oil to them before you put them in the dryer.
  • When you want to clean your dryer balls, pop them in your washing machine with your regular laundry and wash them in hot water.

After a few uses, you'll see  pilling  on the surface of the balls. While this isn't attractive, it won't reduce their efficacy. You will need to replace a wool dryer ball when recharging it won't work to refresh it and you are seeing more static cling. A dryer ball is probably done if little bits and pieces of it begin to fall off.

You can reuse wool dryer balls for hundreds of loads. If you are experiencing static cling and think your wool dryer balls are depleted, first try recharging them. Put the balls in a stocking or thin socks and wash them in your washing machine using a gentle cycle and hot water. Dry on high heat in the dryer.

Only 100% pure wool will work for dryer balls. Wool is a very complex fiber. For one, wool's fibers interlock and felt nicely. Wool contains lanolin which makes the fiber water-repellent while at the same time it can absorb moisture without letting water pass through its fibers. This process helps eliminate static cling in the dryer. Blends, cotton, or anything treated will not work because it won't felt in the correct way to create the ball. It's recommended to use wool without a tight twist, such as wool slub since it felts up quickly.

Barani, Hossein, and Shahdokht Rahimpour. “ The Dyeing Procedures Evaluation of Wool Fibers with  Prangos Ferulacea  and Fastness Characteristics. ”  Advances in Materials Science and Engineering , vol. 2014, 2014, pp. 1–6. 

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How to Use Dryer Balls for Perfectly Dry Clothing

In this beginner’s guide to dryer balls, learn what they are, how to use them, and why they might be what your laundry routine is missing.

What Are Dryer Balls?

Types of dryer balls, advantages of dryer balls, how to use dryer balls, how long do dryer balls last, do you still need dryer sheets.

Dryer balls are considered an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to dryer sheets and fabric softeners, but they actually serve different purposes. Often made from wool, rubber, or plastic, dryer balls reduce wrinkling, static cling, and drying time. About the size of a tennis ball, dryer balls are a popular addition to any laundry routine . They bring all the benefits of dryer sheets and fabric softeners without any residue left behind on your clothing or skin.

Dryer balls look a lot like tennis balls, except they are usually made from wool, rubber, or plastic, or some combination of the three. They go inside the dryer drum with wet clothing, and they can be an alternative or companion to dryer sheets and fabric softeners. 

Dryer balls soften clothes, reduce static cling, and speed up the drying process. Because they are chemical-free and last many years, dryer balls are considered a green and economical alternative . Ultimately, if you use them correctly, dryer balls are a simple and effective way to improve your dryer’s performance.  

Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska

There are two main types of dryer balls: those made from natural materials like wool and those made from synthetic materials like plastic. Rubber dryer balls could be natural or synthetic, so you’ll need to read the fine print as you shop around.

Wool dryer balls are considered the most environmentally-friendly option . They last a very long time and absorb moisture to reduce drying time and static. You can also add essential oils to the wool fibers in order to add a light fragrance to your laundry. Wool dryer balls are also quieter inside the dryer drum, making them ideal for laundry rooms close to living spaces . 

Plastic and rubber dryer balls are the most durable options, and they won’t shed fibers as they wear. Also, some plastic or rubber dryer balls have spikes or bumps to separate clothing further and to improve the overall performance of your dryer. 

Getty Images / Helin Loik-Tomson

By adding three or four dryer balls to your laundry load, you can see many benefits. Dryer balls prevent laundry from clumping together as it tumbles. The increased airflow will also make a noticeable difference when drying bulky items, especially those with feathers or filling.

Reduced Drying Time

Dryer balls create a separating action when tumbled in the laundry that effectively increases air flow and improves circulation in the dryer. Wool dryer balls also absorb excess moisture. Together, the result is a shorter drying time . 

Reduced Static Cling

Dryer balls create separation between clothing items in the dryer, as well as the individual fibers that make up each item. They ensure less overall friction, which means less overall static cling. While dryer balls don’t eliminate static completely, as some dryer sheets do, dryer balls create a noticeable improvement from drying alone. For added effect, you can spray wool dryer balls with a bit of water to make them slightly damp before placing them in the dryer cycle. This will add a steaming effect. 

Softer Clothing

Dryer balls soften clothing without the need for chemicals. As they tumble in the dryer, they fluff and agitate the clothing’s fibers. This movement loosens the fibers and increases the airflow between drying items. When drying clothing with natural fibers, like jute, organic cotton, or wool, expect to feel a marked difference.

Natural Fragrance (Optional)

Wool dryer balls are versatile. You have the option to add fragrance to the laundry load by dropping about 10 droplets of your favorite essential oil into each dryer ball. Ensure the oil has dried completely before starting the load, or else the wet oils may stain fabrics. From lavender to citrus, you’ll be able to personalize the scent on your clothing, making the fragrance stronger or subtler to your liking.  

Dryer balls are safe for both gas and electric dryers. Add any extra fragrance or moisture to wool dryer balls well before starting the cycle.

Place three to four dryer balls inside the dryer drum with wet laundry. Using multiple dryer balls maximizes effectiveness. Also, avoid overloading the dryer. Store the balls in a dry place after the cycle is complete.

Dryer balls can last months, if not years. Dryer balls typically last a thousand loads before needing to be replaced. 

Rubber or plastic dryer balls have a shorter lifespan than wool ones, but they can still last many years. Generally, dryer balls should be replaced every three to four years. While wool ones can last over double this lifespan, they may loosen or lose their shape when nearing the end of their usefulness. They may also start to shed more lint or wool piles onto your laundry load.

To refresh wool dryer balls, individually place each one in a sock and tie the top. Wash them in hot water and place them in the dryer until they are completely dry. Doing this annually can tighten the fibers and prolong their life. 

Well, no. You do not need to use dryer sheets with dryer balls. After all, they serve a relatively similar function. But their differences could make it ideal to use both together, rather than one or the other. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. 

Some people prefer to use both because dryer sheets offer a consistent smell and no static cling. If you’re not looking to change your current routine completely, add dryer balls when tackling bulkier items like winter wear and bedding.

Over time, transition to using dryer balls more frequently with delicate and natural fabrics. You may eventually find that you don’t need dryer sheets after all.

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The 8 Best Dryer Balls, Tested and Reviewed

From wool to plastic options, these top picks will keep your laundry soft, dry, and wrinkle-free.

homeworks wool dryer balls

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks

Final Verdict

Our testing process.

  • How to Shop
  • More to Consider

Take Our Word for It

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

When it comes to laundry, using simple and efficient tricks and products can make the chore a little less bothersome. Enter dryer balls—most are soft, fluffy, and made of wool, while others are plastic and look like they can double as pet toys. All have a purpose in softening and drying laundry at a faster rate and are a much more eco-friendly option over single-use dryer sheets.

To find the best dryer balls, we tested 18 of the most popular options on their performance, durability, noise level, and value. We also spoke to two experts— Adam Morris , engineer and founder of Appliances Made Simple, and Taylor Barefoot , cleaning expert, editor-in-chief, and founder of Snug Sensations—for tips on how to maximize the usage of dryer balls and what to look for when buying them. With plenty of appliance knowledge, particularly with dryers, Morris says that “dryer balls are a great solution to cut drying time and save money on your energy bill.” 

After weighing our test results and insights from our experts, we compiled a list of the best dryer balls. Here are our picks, along with tips and useful information on how to shop for dryer balls so you can actually enjoy laundry day.

Best Overall Dryer Balls

Handy laundry wool dryer balls.

  • Performance 5 /5
  • Durability 5 /5
  • Noise Level 5 /5

These wool dryer balls significantly reduce drying time.

They don’t make much difference in terms of texture.

Wool is a highly sought-after and often expensive material, which is why most dryer balls tend to be on the pricier side. Handy Laundry Dryer Balls, however, are budget-friendly without compromising efficiency or quality. Made with 100% New Zealand wool, they stand out as our top pick. 

We observed minimal fraying and pilling post-dry, and the dryer balls looked the same as they had before going into the dryer. After drying towels for 30 minutes with the dryer balls, we observed a 25% decrease in moisture level. Thinner towels felt slightly damp, and thicker ones felt relatively wet after this process, with the middle sections being a bit wetter than the edges.

When placed in the dryer with the towels, we found the dryer balls to be unexpectedly quiet. While we could hear a bit of noise, we would compare it to the sound of them in heavy bedding. After using them for a month at home, we noticed a significant decrease in overall drying time, though we didn’t observe any difference in the texture of our linens. And, for those who prefer scented dryer balls, these balls can absorb a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to release a natural, fresh scent in your dryer.

Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 6 in pack | Diameter: 3.18 inches

Most Durable Dryer Balls

Everspring 100% new zealand wool dryer balls.

  • Performance 4.5 /5

Crafted entirely from wool, these dryer balls are quiet and gentle on clothing.

They don’t significantly reduce dry time for normal and large loads.

Dryer balls reign over dryer sheets due to their sustainability; they can be reused again and again, with some manufacturers guaranteeing over 1,000 loads. After running these Everspring dryer balls through the dryer, they looked as clean as they had when we put them in, with no lint in sight. They also maintained their 10-inch circumference in our testing, a testament to their durability. Given their impressive performance after use, we anticipate these dryer balls will last through several loads.

After drying wet towels for 30 minutes with the dryer balls, we observed a significant 43% decrease in moisture—one of the most substantial reductions we discovered in our testing. Although the towels were not completely dry after 30 minutes in the dryer (as expected), the moisture felt evenly distributed, with no spots wetter or drier than others. Thanks to their entirely wool composition, the dryer balls operated quietly, allowing us to hold a conversation nearby easily as they ran. Additionally, we found the soft material to be gentler on our linens compared to the plastic dryer balls we tried. However, these balls fell short in terms of static reduction, as we observed no decrease compared to our standard drying regimen. 

After using the dryer balls for one month, we didn’t notice any change in the texture of our linens, though we did find our clothes to feel marginally softer. Drying time remained relatively unchanged for our normal and large loads, decreasing slightly for our smaller ones. Overall, we believe these balls are ideal for small loads of essentials, and with such a low price tag, we consider them a steal given their longevity. 

Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 3 in pack | Diameter: 3.18 inches

Best Dryer Balls for Wrinkles

Grove co. wool dryer balls & eucalyptus essential oil set.

  • Noise Level 4.5 /5

They effectively reduce wrinkles and static in clothing.

These are some of the more expensive dryer balls we tested.

When you’re eager to put on your freshly cleaned clothing, the last thing you want to deal with is pesky wrinkles. Luckily, these dryer balls alleviated that issue, vastly improving our laundry routine. They noticeably eliminated wrinkles in our clothing, saving us the time we would typically spend on ironing and steaming . 

After washing, the towels measured in at a 28% moisture level, and after 30 minutes in the dryer with the dryer balls, they measured 29%. We were surprised by this 3.29%  increase in moisture, so we recommend using the dryer balls for longer than 30 minutes for the best results. While our linens didn’t dry completely, however, they did get noticeably softer. We also observed a significant change in terms of static, as our clothes hardly clung together post-dry. 

We noticed no difference in their appearance after use, and the wool was almost completely undisturbed. They’re a bit loud in the dryer, though, so we wouldn’t recommend using them overnight or while napping. After one month of use, the dryer balls were still going strong. While they eventually began pilling and collecting some lint, they continued performing up to par. Equipped with just three balls and aromatic essential oil, this pack was one of the pricier ones we tested. Still, we found the scent of the oil pleasant yet not too strong, so we think this pack may be worth the splurge.

Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 3 in pack | Diameter: 3.02 inches

Best Dryer Balls for Drying Time

Kainga recka wool dryer balls.

The fresh fragrance of the essential oils transfers nicely to linens without being too strong.

There may be a few loose threads after drying.

Whether we like it or not, we don’t always have time to wait for the drying cycle to complete. Luckily, dryer balls can speed up the process. After one month of consistent use, we were amazed by how much these hypoallergenic dryer balls reduced our drying time. 

With a starting circumference of 8.5 inches, these were among the smaller dryer balls we tested. Despite their size, they still delivered an impressive performance. After using the dryer balls for 30 minutes, we observed a 33% moisture decrease, leaving our towels only slightly damp. The scent of the essential oils transferred nicely to the towels, resulting in a fresh aroma that we found pleasant without being overpowering. While we noticed a few loose threads after use, we observed no scuffs or shrinkage. 

These dryer balls were far more effective at removing static than others we’ve tested, and they significantly softened the material of our linens. Although they were fairly loud in the dryer, the noise wasn’t too disruptive to daily activities. We also appreciate the adorable sheep designs, with each dryer ball featuring a unique one, adding a fun flair to the laundry process. 

Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 8 in pack | Diameter: 2.71 inches

Best Heavy-Duty Dryer Balls

Nellie's dryerballs.

  • Performance 4 /5

The dryer balls’ spikes separate thick items like bedding and towels, resulting in faster and more even drying.

They don’t remove static very well.

Heavy loads of laundry require heavy-duty dryer balls, and this Nellie’s two-pack certainly rose to the occasion. These balls excelled with heavy loads of sheets and towels, effectively separating the laundry so that everything dried quickly and evenly. Even our thickest linens, which typically don’t dry as thoroughly, dried adequately with these dryer balls and even became softer over time.

With a diameter of 3.22 inches, these dryer balls were among the larger ones we tested. We found them to be a bit softer and squishier than standard plastic ones. Given their material, we were pleasantly surprised by how quietly they operated in our machine; they were even quieter than some of the wool dryer balls we tested. After using them for one month, they maintained pristine condition—we observed no obvious shrinkage or lint accumulation. Our only complaint was regarding static removal, as we found these dryer balls released less static than wool ones typically do.

Considering this pack only offers two dryer balls, it is certainly one of the pricier ones we tested.  Even so, we think its impressive performance makes up for it. If you’re looking for an effective way to dry heavy linens like bath towels and bedding, Nellie’s Dryerballs check all the boxes. 

Material: Thermal rubber plastic | Amount: 2 in pack | Diameter: 3.22 inches

Best Dryer Balls for Static

Smart sheep wool dryer balls.

  • Durability 4.5 /5
  • Value 4.5 /5
  • Ease of Use 5 /5

These wool dryer balls effectively reduce drying time, wrinkles, and static.

They pill and get fuzzy over time, so they may not have as much longevity as other dryer balls.

If you’re tired of your clothes clinging together, dryer balls are known for reducing static. Wool dryer balls are particularly absorbent, retaining humidity to reduce this static electricity. This six-pack from Smart Sheep stood out in our testing for its ability to do just that. After using the dryer balls for a month, we found that they sped up the drying process, reduced wrinkles, and eliminated static. 

Crafted with New Zealand wool, these dryer balls were notably quiet in our testing, making only a gentle, muted thud in the dryer. We attribute this noiselessness to their soft and squishy material, which seemed to absorb the bounce.  After 30 minutes of use in our Lab, the dryer balls reduced the moisture in our towels by 19%, leaving them damp yet evenly dry.

It’s worth noting that the dryer balls did get fuzzier over time. One of the balls actually got so pilled that it ripped after use, leading us to question the pack’s long-term durability. The manufacturer said this is normal, though, and we didn’t notice any change in performance as a result. Given their ability to reduce wrinkles and static, we think these dryer balls are an excellent option. Plus, the versatile pack comes in several playful designs, including standard white, sheep, penguin, and puppy.

Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 6 in pack | Diameter : 2.95 inches

Best Dryer Balls with Essential Oils

Woolzies organic wool dryer ball.

  • Performance 4.8 /5

These fluffy dryer balls are available in multiple fragrances.

They pill after several uses.

Nothing beats the fresh smell of clean clothes, and some dryer balls come equipped with essential oils to give your linens that post-wash scent you know and love. Made of organic wool, Woolzies dryer balls are available in lavender, lemon, and orange fragrances, allowing you to tailor your laundry’s scent to your preference. In our testing, the balls retained the essential oils well, transferring only a subtle fragrance to our linens. We appreciate that the aroma wasn’t overpowering—we recommend that those seeking a stronger smell add more drops. 

These dryer balls did a great job at keeping our towels separated during testing, preventing them from bunching up and speeding up the drying process. While they weren’t necessarily loud, the sound was definitely noticeable. They maintained their same shape and quality, even after a month of use, though we did observe slight piling over time. 

Material: Organic wool | Amount: 3 in pack | Diameter: 3.02 inches

Best Plastic Dryer Balls

World market hedgehog dryer balls.

World Market

The plastic spikes effectively reduce static and wrinkles.

They are louder than wool dryer balls.

Dryer balls, regardless of the material they’re made from, help reduce dryer times by lifting and separating clothes, creating pockets to stimulate airflow. Plastic dryer balls tend to be more efficient in this aspect in comparison to wool dryer balls because of the spikes that cover them. With their plastic spikes and cute hedgehog design, World Market’s Hedgehog Dryer Balls are our favorite plastic dryer balls we tried.

After drying the towels for 30 minutes with the dryer balls in our Lab, we observed a 9.78% decrease in moisture. While the towels maintained a similar level of wetness before and after 30 minutes of drying, after one month of use, we observed a noteworthy reduction in drying time. Our clothing felt notably softer and far less wrinkly after using the dryer balls. We were amazed that post-drying, our socks looked as though they had been professionally pressed. The spikes on the dryer balls also made our linens catch less static, keeping our garments separate when we removed them from the dryer. 

The dryer balls had an interesting texture, feeling almost rough to the touch. Given that they’re made of plastic, these dryer balls were the loudest ones we tested. We would compare the noise level to the sound of several pairs of shoes, the volume so loud that we found it difficult to have conversations nearby. While we wouldn’t recommend using them overnight, we think their ability to reduce wrinkles, static, and roughness, along with their cute hedgehog design, make them a great pick. 

Material: Plastic | Amount: 2 in pack | Diameter: 3.18 inches

After a tedious testing process, the Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls reign as our Best Overall pick. Crafted from 100% New Zealand wool, they stood out for their quiet operation, impressive durability, and quick drying time. If you’re looking for something fragranced, we recommend the Woolzies Organic Wool Dryer Balls .

We tested 18 dryer balls in our Lab and at home, evaluating them on their performance, durability, noise level, and overall value for money. 

In the Lab, our first step involved examining the size, appearance, and texture of each dryer ball. We wrapped the fabric measuring tape around the widest part of each ball and recorded its circumference. Once we were assigned a dryer, we placed six dryer balls into the empty machine, without any laundry, to assess their noise level.

Next, we were provided with six towels. Before washing them, we evaluated their texture and softness. Placing a large bowl on the scale, we zeroed it out and recorded the weight of the dry towels. Using a moisture meter, we assessed the moisture level of the dry towels, taking measurements at the bottom, middle, and top of the dry towels to account for all areas. After noting these measurements, we rinsed the towels in the washing machine (without detergent)  and repeated the same process with the scale and moisture meter.   

After collecting the pre-drying data, we put the six wet towels into the dryer with the six dryer balls. If the balls were scented, we added two to three drops of essential oils per ball before placing them in with the towels. For the Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls & Eucalyptus Essential Oil Set , we used the oils included in the pack. Ensuring the vent was clean before drying, we ran the dryer on a normal cycle for 30 minutes. During the drying process, we observed the noise level of the balls. After the allotted time, we repeated the weighing and moisture meter process. We then examined the appearance and texture of the balls, noting any changes. To evaluate any potential shrinkage, we used a fabric measuring tape to determine the circumference of the used dryer ball. If the ball was made of wool, we cut it in half to observe the core. 

For long-term results, we took the dryer balls home with us. After a month of use, we evaluated their performance, considering whether they reduced drying time, wrinkles, or static. Regarding durability, we assessed whether they shrank, pilled, or sustained any significant damage over time. We also considered whether they altered the texture of our linens. Taking all these factors into account, we compiled our list of the best dryer balls. 

Note: We used three different dryers in our Lab testing, which likely played a role in the Lab results.

How to Shop for Dryer Balls Like a Pro

Dryer balls can come in wool, plastic, foam, or rubber, but wool dryer balls are by far the most popular. According to Morris, wool dryer balls don't contain some of the chemicals, additives, or smells commonly found in plastic counterparts, making wool dryer balls great for people with sensitive skin. “Wool dryer balls have a ton of different benefits, but the one that is most important to me is cutting drying time, especially with the current cost of energy ,” Morris says. “If I can cut down on drying time even just five to 10 minutes, it's a win for me, especially in the long run.” Plastic dryer balls are less eco-friendly, but they do last for quite a while and are very effective at reducing drying time.

Most wool dryer balls are between 2.5 and 3 inches in diameter, while oversized dryer balls are between 3 and 4 inches in diameter. The bigger the size of the dryer ball, the shorter the drying time. Oversized dryer balls are also best for large loads and bulky laundry such as bedding and towels. 

“When buying dryer balls, size does matter because you want them to be able to move around freely in your dryer,” Barefoot says. “If they are too small, they will get lost in the laundry and won't be able to do their job properly. On the other hand, if they are too large, they will take up too much space in the dryer and won't allow your clothes to move around as freely, leading to them not drying evenly. The ideal size for dryer balls is somewhere in the middle so that they can move around freely and still be effective.”

Dryer balls typically come in sets of three, four, or six. To decide which is best for you, both experts agree it depends on the size of your laundry loads. For small and medium loads, most brands recommend either three to four regular-sized dryer balls or two oversized ones, and five to six (or three to four oversized) dryer balls for large loads. “If you find that your clothes are still taking too long to dry or are coming out wrinkled, try adding a few more dryer balls to the mix,” Barefoot says.

More Dryer Balls to Consider

Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls, 6-Pack : These dryer balls held up well after one month of use, and we appreciated having the option to add essential oils for a more aromatic experience. However, our clothing still experienced a significant amount of static, and we didn’t notice any changes in texture. 

Kikkerland Puffer Fish Dryer Buddies, 2-Pack : Shaped like pufferfish, these adorable dryer balls kept our clothes fluffy and wrinkle-free. Just keep in mind that they are a bit louder than wool dryer balls, so they may not be suitable for overnight drying. 

Questions You Might Ask

How do you use dryer balls.

Using dryer balls is quite simple. For best results, keep them in your dryer to make sure you don’t forget to add them in after every cycle. Lightly misting wool dryer balls with water can also help with reducing static cling. 

“Just add them to your dryer along with your wet clothes,” Barefoot says. “They will help fluff your clothes and reduce drying time. Most dryer balls can be used for multiple loads of laundry. Just make sure to clean them regularly!”

How do you clean dryer balls?

Cleaning dryer balls may seem counterintuitive or even unnecessary, but it may be required or helpful for the reusability and lifespan of a dryer ball. As a general rule of thumb, dryer balls should be cleaned every 80 to 100 loads of laundry. 

“Dryer balls can be cleaned, as strange as that may sound since the main purpose of them is to roll around with clean laundry,” Morris says. “As a general rule, simply put them in the wash with cold water (your dryer balls will likely have specific instructions) and let air dry. This should remove any buildup, lint, etc.”

How long do dryer balls last?

Most dryer balls, especially those made of wool, can last for hundreds and even thousands of loads. With proper care, dryer balls can last for years, which makes them the best eco-friendly alternative to single-use dryer sheets. 

“I've had mine for around a year and a half and have yet to see any sign of defects,” Morris says. “I don't track how many loads I do, but it's certainly not on the low side, so they should last a while.”

To ensure your dryer balls stay in great condition to keep reducing wrinkles, static, and dry time, Barefoot suggests keeping an eye on their wear and tear. “The lifespan of your dryer ball will vary depending on how often you use your dryer and the type of fabric you are drying,” Barefoot says. “If you are using your dryer balls regularly, it's important to inspect them periodically, checking for any damage to let you know it’s time to replace them.”

This article was written by Jamie Fischer , a commerce writer for Real Simple , and L. Daniela Alvarez , contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours researching dryer balls and reading customer reviews. She also received tips on how to shop for dryer balls from Adam Morris , founder of Appliances Made Simple , and Taylor Barefoot , cleaning expert, editor-in-chief, and founder of Snug Sensations .

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The Best Dryer Balls

Dryer balls can do more than prevent tangled, wrinkled laundry. toss the best dryer balls into your next load to help save money, cut down on waste, and reduce harmful chemicals..

By Ana Chevalier | Updated Apr 15, 2022 9:25 AM

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The Best Dryer Balls Options: Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls

Photo: amazon.com

Compared to single-use dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener, wool or plastic dryer balls are an economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to help make clothing, towels, and bedding static- and wrinkle-free. The best dryer balls work by preventing fabrics from clumping together in the dryer, helping the laundry dry more efficiently with fewer wrinkles. They also retain heat, which boosts your appliance’s effectiveness by distributing their warmth while allowing heated air to flow among the dryer’s contents. The more dryer balls you add to a single load, the more you can cut down drying time —sometimes reducing it by up to 40 percent.

With so many different options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which are the best dryer balls for your laundry. Dryer balls are available in various styles and materials, and they all work in a similar manner. Keep reading for comparison shopping advice and recommendations.

  • BEST OVERALL: Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls
  • RUNNER UP: CoolCloudS Dryer Balls
  • BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wantell Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack XL
  • BEST ORGANIC: OHOCO Wool Dryer Balls 6 Pack XL
  • BEST COLORFUL: S&T INC. Reusable Dryer Balls
  • BEST SCENTED: Woolzies Organic Wool Dryer Balls & Essential Oil
  • BEST OVERSIZED: Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls

The Best Dryer Balls Options

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Dryer Balls

Dryer balls are safe for almost all fabrics, from cotton and hemp to polyester blends and more. With scents being optional, they’re less likely to cause skin irritation for people with sensitive skin than some dryer sheets and fabric softeners. The best dryer balls are reusable for months to even years, eliminating the need to continually purchase new dryer sheets and fabric softener and cutting down on landfill waste. Choosing a set for your home comes down to three main decisions: material, size, and number.

Most dryer balls are made of felted or boiled sheep’s wool, while some are constructed from plastic. Regardless of the type of material, all dryer balls work in the same way to keep clothes soft while reducing static and wrinkles. The best wool dryer balls are hypoallergenic and contain no synthetic ingredients. Since many wool dryer balls contain no additional fragrance, they are ideal for babies or anyone with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

Wool and plastic dryer balls also vary in shape. Wool dryer balls are smooth and round, while plastic dryer balls are bumpy with small nodules that separate garments in the dryer, naturally increasing airflow. They can be either stiff and rigid or more malleable. Extra-hard plastic dryer balls are designed to help eliminate extra-tough stains in clothing. (You also can find dryer balls with cute animal designs and shapes, such as penguins or porcupines, which makes them a thoughtful housewarming, baby shower, or holiday gift.)

Dryer balls are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. The most popular size for a dryer ball is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter, roughly the size of a tennis ball. An oversize dryer ball, on the other hand, can measure 3 inches or more in diameter. The larger the size, the better they can fluff your laundry.

Their growing popularity means a wide variety of dryer balls are available. Purchase as few or as many as needed in a single package, with quantities ranging from two dryer balls to 20 or more.

For a small dryer or a single load of laundry, most people use six balls, and experts recommend six dryer balls for larger loads. The number of dryer balls to have on hand is a personal preference, but how many you use in a given load will depend on the amount and type of clothing or other laundry in addition to the size of the dryer.

Our Top Picks

Keep reading to find a collection of some of the best dryer balls on the market that offer quality, value, effectiveness to help make the most of your next load of laundry .

Best Overall

Friendsheep organic eco wool dryer balls.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls

These ecologically-friendly wool dryer balls from Friendsheep are perfect for the new, delicate skin of babies or anyone with chemical or fragrance sensitivities. These eco-friendly dryer balls are made from 100 percent pure New Zealand wool, with no additives or other materials. Each dryer ball, which can be reused to complete more than 1,000 loads, will reduce drying time by up to 40 percent.

These wool dryer balls are hand-stitched by women in underprivileged communities in Nepal who receive fair wages, an education, and medical care for their work. The dryer balls are produced in an ethical work environment that empowers the workers while maintaining a deep respect for the surrounding nature and animals.

Product Specs

  • Material: Organic New Zealand wool
  • Size: 3-inch diameter
  • Quantity: 6 balls
  • Longevity: 1,000 loads
  • Hypoallergenic and organic; suitable for adults, children, and babies
  • Reduces drying time by 40 percent
  • Ethically-made
  • Organic cotton bag

Get the Friendship Organic dryer balls at Amazon , Sears , and Walmart .

CoolCloudS Dryer Balls

best dryer balls coolclouds

These six organic New Zealand wool dryer balls from CoolCloudS are completely natural and made without fillers, synthetics, or harsh chemicals, which makes them a safe choice for babies or anyone with sensitive skin. Use them for over 1,000 loads while lowering your drying time by up to 25 percent.

These dryer balls, which are available in either gray or white. For an extra touch, give the laundry a soothing, refreshing fragrance by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to each dryer ball.

  • Size: 2.96-inch diameter
  • No fillers, synthetics, or harsh chemicals
  • Safe for babies and sensitive skin
  • Lowers drying time by 25 percent
  • Can be used with essential oils
  • Comes in multiple colorways
  • Some users report shedding

Get the CoolClouds dryer balls on Amazon . 

Best Bang For The Buck

Wantell wool dryer balls 6-pack xl.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: Wantell Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack XL

For stretching the dollar, Wantell’s package of six extra-large wool dryer balls ranks high on the list. At 2.9 inches in diameter, they’re also one of the largest dryer balls on the market for the price tag.

These handmade wool balls are made from 100 percent organic New Zealand wool. They are chemical- and fragrance-free, a wise choice for babies and adults with allergies or sensitivities. Plan for each dryer ball to last for at least 1,000 dryer cycles and to shorten drying time by up to 40 percent.

  • Size: 2.9-inch diameter
  • Chemical- and fragrance-free
  • Safe for those with allergies and sensitive skin
  • Shortens drying time by 40 percent
  • Suitable for small to medium loads
  • Not suggested for use with overly large loads of laundry

Get the Wantell wool dryer balls on Amazon .

Best Organic

Ohoco wool dryer balls 6 pack xl.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: OHOCO Wool Dryer Balls 6 Pack XL

These organic wool dryer balls from OHOCO are oversize and made with all-natural New Zealand wool. They don’t include any added chemicals or fragrances, making them ideal for anyone concerned about skin irritations or reducing their carbon footprint. They can be reused to complete at least 1,000 dryer loads.

These dryer balls can decrease drying time up to 25 percent, and because they’re made with felted wool, they limit the amount of friction against fabrics, creating less static. OHOCO recommends using the white dryer balls for light-colored loads and the gray dryer balls for dark clothing and bedding.

  • Size: 2.75-inch diameter
  • Oversized, felted wool design
  • Decreases drying time by 25 percent
  • Decreases static
  • Different colored options for contrasting load colors
  • 3 balls required per load to reduce drying time
  • Some users have reported manufacturing defects

Get the OHOCO wool dryer balls on Amazon and at Walmart .

Best Colorful

S&t inc. reusable dryer balls.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: S&T INC. Reusable Dryer Balls

Each brightly colored dryer ball from S&T INC. is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and is covered in small raised nodules. However, the nodules have smooth edges that won’t catch or snag on fabrics while reducing static. These dryer balls are available in a set of six with a choice between blue or orange.

While the dryer balls will shorten drying time by up to 25 percent, they’re also specially designed to promote even drying of clothing, towels, and bedding. Use two to three dryer balls for standard loads and four to six for larger loads.

  • Material: Plastic
  • Size: 2.5-inch diameter
  • Longevity: Unlisted
  • Raised nodules; does not cause snags
  • Reduces static
  • Reduces drying time by 25 percent
  • Promotes even drying
  • Smaller than comparable options
  • May create some noise while drying

Get the S&T INC. dryer balls on Amazon and at Walmart .

Best Scented

Woolzies organic wool dryer balls & essential oil.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: Woolzies Organic Wool Dryer Balls & Essential Oil

Unlike other dryer balls, Woolzies’ pack of three organic wool dryer balls includes a bottle of 100 percent pure lavender essential oil. If desired, simply add a few drops of the scented oil to a dryer ball. Place the ball in the dryer with a load of dry clothing, towels, or bedding for 10 additional minutes to leave them smelling fresh and fragrant.

These pure New Zealand wool dryer balls are also hypoallergenic. They contain zero fillers, additives, or harmful chemicals, and they will not shed their fibers in the dryer. They are recommended for children and adults with wool sensitivities. This combination product of dryer balls and essential oils can add that lavender scent to more than 1,000 loads. If fruity scents are more to your liking, lemon and orange are also available.

  • Material: New Zealand wool
  • Size: Unlisted
  • Quantity: 3 balls
  • Comes with 100 percent pure lavender essential oil
  • Hypoallergenic
  • No fillers, additives, or harmful chemicals
  • Also available with lemon and orange scents
  • Fewer quantity compared to similar options

Get the Woolzies wool dryer balls at Amazon , Sears, and Walmart .

Best Oversized

Handy laundry wool dryer balls.

The Best Dryer Balls Options: Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls

At 3 inches in diameter, these 100 percent pure New Zealand wool dryer balls from Handy Laundry are extra-large, which means they can handle just about any size load. They are all-natural and free of chemicals, and they also won’t shed fibers that fill up the lint trap. These organic, felted dryer balls can lower drying time by up to 25 percent, while also fluffing up the laundry and reducing static cling. Handy suggests adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to provide a touch of fragrance to each load.

  • All-natural construction
  • Reduces static cling
  • Safe to use with essential oils
  • Some users report manufacturing defects

Get the Handy Laundry dryer balls at Amazon , Sears, and Walmart .

Our Verdict

If you are looking for an organic, ethically-made option, the 6-pack of Friendsheep Organic dryer balls are for short-term, even drying and are hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the handmade Wantell dryer balls are safe for those with allergies and sensitive skin and are some of the largest dryer balls on the market.

How We Chose the Best Dryer Balls 

We researched the most sought-after dryer balls in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their material, size, quantity, longevity, colorways, and other special features included by top brands.

To ensure our list included the best options on the market, we included hypoallergenic picks that are made with organic New Zealand wool or plastic to reduce drying times by 25 to 40 percent, decrease static, and dry clothing and linens evenly. Each of the above picks includes 3 to 6 dryer balls that last for over 1,000 loads with 2.5- to 3-inch diameters and are effective and easy to use.

Some of these picks come in various colorways to be compatible with either light or dark colored clothing and can be used with essential oils for added fresh scent . Plus, each pick is free of harsh chemicals, fillers, synthetics, and fragrances making them safe for sensitive skin.

The Advantages of Owning Dryer Balls

Whether you’re trying to save money, help protect the environment, or eliminate harmful chemicals from your life, dryer balls can help when laundry day rolls around.

Let’s look at some of the key advantages of owning wool or plastic dryer balls:

  • Reduced drying time. Perhaps the most significant benefit of using dryer balls as opposed to dryer sheets is increased efficiency; most dryer balls boast an ability to shorten drying time by 25 percent or more.
  • Reduced static. When laundry items become tangled in the dryer, static forms. Dryer balls naturally separate these items and prevent them from clinging together.
  • Chemical- and fragrance-free laundry. The fragrance in some dryer sheets or fabric softeners can be an irritant for those with sensitive skin. Dryer balls are made without harsh chemicals or fragrances.
  • Environmentally friendly alternative. Also unlike dryer sheets and fabric softeners, dryer balls can be used countless times, often up to several months, or even years, before they need to be replaced.
  • Money saved. While the initial purchase of a set of dryer balls may seem like a big bite out of the budget, the cost per use is significantly less since they’re purchased less frequently than dryer sheets or fabric softener.

Now that you have more information about dryer balls, you may be wondering how to use them with different dryer models and clothing and linen types. Read on for some of the most frequently asked questions about these efficient products.

Q: How do you use dryer balls?

Open your dryer and place your wet laundry items inside. Toss in the dryer balls, close the door, and start the dryer.

Q: How many dryer balls should you use? 

Use from two to six dryer balls at a time, depending on the size of the dryer and the amount of laundry. (All six can be helpful in drying large loads and large appliances.)

Q: Do dryer balls replace dryer sheets? 

Dryer balls are intended to replace both dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener.

Q: How long do dryer balls last? 

Dryer balls can last anywhere from several months to several years, depending on how frequently they’re used. Many of the best dryer balls specify that they’re good for 1,000 loads.

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How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Wool acts as a natural fabric softener to reduce static cling and dry clothes faster.

An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.

The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing.

homeworks wool dryer balls

After using wool dryer balls in your laundry, you'll wonder how you ever went without them. The material acts as a natural fabric softener to reduce static cling, dry clothes faster, and soften garments.

This easy DIY approach comes from our friend Anusha Rajeswaran of Fish and Bull and can be made with just wool roving, hosiery, and scissors. After the dryer balls are done, you can use them over and over again, offering a sustainable alternative to some other fabric softeners.

Anusha Rajeswaran

If you like the scent of commercial fabric softeners, give your threads a natural scent by adding a few drops of essential oil to the wool roving. We like lavender, lemon, and bergamot. But keep in mind that although essential oils are safely used in dryer balls, the liquid can pose a fire risk. To be safe, only use a few drops per dryer ball and wait at least one hour until completely dry prior to using with your laundry.

Although essential oils are safe to add to dryer balls, the liquid can pose a fire risk. Only use a few drops per dryer ball and wait at least one hour until completely dry before using with your laundry.

Before using the wool dryer balls effectively, you'll need to make sure the balls are felted and feel firm to the touch. Do so by drying the wool before using it with a load of laundry. Once they're the correct texture, you can add them to the dryer with your clothes during your next load of laundry.

What You'll Need

  • Wool roving
  • Essential oils
  • Nylon hosiery
  • Paper towels

Instructions

Wind a strip of wool roving:.

Wind a thin strip of wool roving into a ball, rotating directions to create a uniform ball shape. (Note: Use a light-colored wool so that the color doesn't bleed onto your laundry.) Don't worry if it is not a perfectly smooth ball.

Make a ball:

Once it is the size of a tennis ball, tuck the last piece of wool roving into the ball to secure it in place.

Place the wool dryer balls in hosiery:

With scissors, cut the footed ends off the nylon hosiery. Start by dropping one ball into the hosiery and tying a knot to secure it in the nylon. Continue until all wool balls are secured in the hosiery.

Place the hosiery in your dryer:

Toss the knotted hosiery into the washing machine, turned to a high-heat setting. (Tip: You can also throw it in with a load of laundry at the same setting if you don't want to waste water.) Transfer to a dryer and let dry on a normal setting.

Cut the wool balls out of the hosiery:

Cut the wool balls out of the hosiery; they should be felted and feel firm to the touch. Add one drop each of your favorite essential oils to the dryer ball. For a fresh clean scent, we recommend using one drop of lavender, lemon, and bergamot essential oil. Allow the oil to dry for one hour before use.

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How to Use Dryer Balls

Last Updated: September 15, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey . Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA). This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 19,233 times.

Dryer balls are the new big thing when it comes to easy, eco-friendly laundry, but how do they actually work? Dryer balls are super simple to use and can dry your laundry faster, take away static cling, and soften your clothes. We’ve put together a handy guide to how dryer balls work, how to use them, and what the benefits are. Read on before you toss in your next load to enjoy soft, fresh clothing in record time!

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How do dryer balls work?

Dryer balls separate wet clumps of clothes as they tumble around.

  • Wool dryer balls are the most popular—they’re hypoallergenic, absorbent, and quieter in your dryer than plastic or rubber balls.
  • 100% wool dryer balls contain no chemicals, dyes, or fillers. Plastic and rubber balls may contain PVCs and other substances.

How many dryer balls do I use per load?

For a medium sized load, use 3 or 4 dryer balls.

How To Use Dryer Balls

Step 1 Add your wet clothes to the dryer.

  • Some people store their dryer balls in the dryer and add wet clothes on top of them. Either can go in first since they will tumble around anyway.

Step 2 Add essential oil to wool dryer balls if you want to scent your laundry.

  • Let the balls absorb the oil drops for at least 20 minutes. An hour or more is best for maximum absorption. [5] X Research source
  • Only use oil-infused dryer balls in warm or no-heat cycles. Oil is flammable, and a high-heat cycle with overly-saturated dryer balls could be a fire hazard.

Step 3 Spray wool dryer...

  • Wool balls absorb moisture from clothing in the dryer, maintaining a more humid environment, and helping you get rid of static cling and friction.

Step 4 Add 3 or 4 dryer balls and start the dryer.

  • When wool dryer balls are new, they might leave some lint on your clothes. Use light-colored balls for light clothes and dark-colored balls for darks to fix the problem.

Step 5 Reduce the normal drying time by up to 25% when you set the cycle.

  • An auto-sense dryer will automatically stop once it senses that the load is dry.

Step 6 Replace wool dryer balls when they look scraggly.

  • Plastic dryer balls last even longer and may not ever have to be replaced unless they break.

Benefits of Dryer Balls

Step 1 Dryer balls are cost-effective over time.

  • Wool dryer balls are also compostable. Just toss them into an organics bin when they’re used up! [13] X Research source

Step 3 Dryer balls are chemical-free.

Expert Q&A

  • ↑ https://www.environment911.org/Will-Wool-Dryer-Balls-Help-My-Clothes-Dry-Faster
  • ↑ https://afewshortcuts.com/wool-dryer-balls/
  • ↑ https://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/how-to-use-wool-dryer-balls/
  • ↑ https://umaine.edu/pagefarm/event/going-green-with-dryer-balls/

About This Article

Ayad Mirjan

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How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls & Why To Do It

How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls & Why To Do It

I love my wool dryer balls, but, I had to learn how to recharge them so that they can keep working at their best. Helping me to get those loads dried faster while using less energy.

Quick Answer:

How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls? To recharge (or refresh) wool dryer balls wash them on the gentle cycle with hot water. Then dry them on high heat in your clothes dryer.

Keep reading for a more detailed explanation on recharging wool dryer balls as well as some direction on why and when to recharge them!

Related Posts: How to Use Wool Dryer Balls and Do They Work? Best Wool Dryer Balls 8 Homemade Fabric Softener Recipes

How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls Step-by-Step

here how you can use wool dryer balls

Once you’ve been using your wool dryer balls for a while it’s time to give them a little love and attention. After many uses wool dryer balls will become less effective at helping to absorb moisture in the dryer and will need to be recharged.

1. Wash the wool dryer balls

Take your wool dryer balls and run them through your clothes washer on the gentle cycle with hot water.

Not only will this clean your dryer balls somewhat by removing some of the lint and fiber build up they may have accumulated it will also rehydrate them. This will make them better at absorbing moisture during drying by rejuvenating over-dried wool fibers.

You can wash them alone or with a full load, either way works. Just make sure that the washer settings are appropriate for the entire load.

2. Dry the wool dryer balls

Next, run the dryer balls through your clothes dryer on high heat. Again, you can run them through alone or with a full load.

Keep in mind though that since they are wet they won’t help the load dry faster. In fact, since they are so water logged they might make the entire load dry slower.

You will want to make sure they have been fully dried before you use them in a load you want them to help dry more quickly.

3. Use them again

Your dryer balls are now recharged and ready to go! Throw them in with your next load of laundry and keep on drying!

Why wool dryer balls need to be recharged

homeworks wool dryer balls

The reason you’ll want to recharge your wool dryer balls from time to time is that the wool can become overstressed and loose too much moister making it too brittle and less absorbent that it was previously.

Strangely, what we are doing when we recharge wool dryer balls is adding more moisture back into them which ultimately helps them to be more absorbent (from the Friendsheep dryer ball faq page ).

When to recharge wool dryer balls

You’ll know it’s time to recharge your wool dryer balls when they are either starting to look a little rough like mine in the image below or when you notice that they are not helping you achieve the same drying results as you had been previously.

How often should you recharge wool dryer balls?

Alternatively, don’t wait for your dryer balls to start to wear down just wash and refresh them every once in awhile.

I’d recommend recharging them once every 100 loads or so. Most wool dryer ball manufacturers say their dryer balls will last at least 1000 loads. This means you’ll only need to refresh your dryer balls 10 over their lifetime.

No need to count loads as you go. I like to just estimate and then set myself a reminder on my phone.

For example, I wash on average 4 loads of laundry per week. So, 100 loads / 4 per week = 25 weeks

And since there are 52 weeks in a year I just set myself a reminder to recharge them every 6 months which is close enough for me!

Related Questions

How do you know when your wool dryer balls are done.

The short answer is that your dryer balls are done once they start falling apart. Things to look out for are a scraggly appearance or shedding. You might begin to see wool showing up on your dried clothes when you pull them out of the dryer.

According to most manufacturers of wool dryer balls they say that dryer balls will last about 1000 loads. Here is a quick table that will give you a rough idea for how long your dryer balls might last depending on how many loads you wash each week.

However, if you ever notice your dryer balls becoming less effective then it’s a good time to give them a quick recharge!

I hope you found this post helpful! If you did please share it!

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Are All Wool Dryer Balls The Same? Our Experts Weigh In

Posted: March 6, 2023 | Last updated: June 20, 2023

<p>Wool dryer balls are small balls of tightly compressed wool that fluff up garments as they bounce around during a dry cycle. As they bounce through your laundry loads, they help separate garments to keep them from clumping together, allowing moisture to evaporate from the garments more readily, so they dry fluffier, faster and more thoroughly. For those with sensitivities to fabric softeners and dryer sheets or anyone who wants to reduce their use of either, dryer balls are an easy switch to make. No need to measure out doses or make a big investment to start using them. As a reusable product, they also are a more environmentally conscious option than dryer sheets and large bottles of softener.</p><p>In the <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/">Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab</a>, we spend thousands of hours each year testing cleaning appliances and products as well as the best cleaning methods, putting together how-to guides for the <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a38529913/how-to-wash-comforter/">best way to wash a comforter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a24878/mistakes-washing-jeans/">mistakes to avoid when washing jeans</a> and more. To put together this roundup of wool dryer balls, we tested three brands at home in our own weekly laundry loads and consulted with experts from our Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab to answer some of the most common questions about wool dryer balls.</p><h2 class="body-h2">Our top picks:</h2><p>After our picks, keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for dryer balls and answers to other frequently asked questions. Looking for other ways to shake up your laundry routine? Check out our guide to the <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/laundry-detergents/g41423872/best-laundry-detergent-sheets/">best laundry detergent sheets</a>, <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/a39947661/ways-to-reduce-waste-in-your-cleaning-routine/">three ways to reduce waste in your cleaning routine</a> and the <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/g25106486/6-laundry-room-investments-that-are-actually-worth-it/">six laundry investments that are worth it</a>.</p>

Wool dryer balls are small balls of tightly compressed wool that fluff up garments as they bounce around during a dry cycle. As they bounce through your laundry loads, they help separate garments to keep them from clumping together, allowing moisture to evaporate from the garments more readily, so they dry fluffier, faster and more thoroughly. For those with sensitivities to fabric softeners and dryer sheets or anyone who wants to reduce their use of either, dryer balls are an easy switch to make. No need to measure out doses or make a big investment to start using them. As a reusable product, they also are a more environmentally conscious option than dryer sheets and large bottles of softener.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab , we spend thousands of hours each year testing cleaning appliances and products as well as the best cleaning methods, putting together how-to guides for the best way to wash a comforter , mistakes to avoid when washing jeans and more. To put together this roundup of wool dryer balls, we tested three brands at home in our own weekly laundry loads and consulted with experts from our Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab to answer some of the most common questions about wool dryer balls.

Our top picks:

After our picks, keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for dryer balls and answers to other frequently asked questions. Looking for other ways to shake up your laundry routine? Check out our guide to the best laundry detergent sheets , three ways to reduce waste in your cleaning routine and the six laundry investments that are worth it .

<p><strong>$19.99</strong></p><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1553576&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grove.co%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fwool-dryer-balls-3-pack&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodhousekeeping.com%2Fhome-products%2Fg42861190%2Fbest-wool-dryer-balls%2F">Shop Now</a></p><p><strong>We used these dryer balls in our expert's home for several months in well over 200 loads of laundry, and these wool dryer balls from Grove Collaborative showed no changes in their structure, size or color</strong>. We tossed an old pillow in the dryer with this set of dryer balls and it fluffed the pillow right back to its original glory. While they moved through the dryer the same way as all the other dryer balls we tested, we did find that these were less noisy. Grove Collaborative is a Certified B Corporation and makes many products our cleaning experts trust and use at home. Take note that most brands recommend up to six dryer balls for very large loads and this set only includes three, so you'll need two boxes if you wash large loads and heavy bedding often. The brand claims that they can last for up to 1,000 loads of laundry before they need replacing. </p>

1) Wool Dryer Balls

We used these dryer balls in our expert's home for several months in well over 200 loads of laundry, and these wool dryer balls from Grove Collaborative showed no changes in their structure, size or color . We tossed an old pillow in the dryer with this set of dryer balls and it fluffed the pillow right back to its original glory. While they moved through the dryer the same way as all the other dryer balls we tested, we did find that these were less noisy. Grove Collaborative is a Certified B Corporation and makes many products our cleaning experts trust and use at home. Take note that most brands recommend up to six dryer balls for very large loads and this set only includes three, so you'll need two boxes if you wash large loads and heavy bedding often. The brand claims that they can last for up to 1,000 loads of laundry before they need replacing.

<p><strong>$24.99</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gleener.com/products/gleener-dryer-dots?variant=31490985328723">Shop Now</a></p><p>Though dryer ball prices did not vary significantly between brands, <strong>this set is the most cost-effective of our picks </strong>when purchased in a pack of six. We tested this set for several months in small and large loads at home and found that they held up well, though a few in the set did begin to show signs of yellowing much sooner than expected. According to the manufacturer, these dryer balls can last for up to 3,000 loads before they need replacing — three times as long as most other brands' durability claims. While we haven't tested these long enough to prove this claim, we will continue to use them and update this story as we notice any other changes. For homes that only wash smaller loads, these dryer balls are available in a pack of three. That's enough to fluff up small loads. </p>

2) Dryer Dots

Though dryer ball prices did not vary significantly between brands, this set is the most cost-effective of our picks when purchased in a pack of six. We tested this set for several months in small and large loads at home and found that they held up well, though a few in the set did begin to show signs of yellowing much sooner than expected. According to the manufacturer, these dryer balls can last for up to 3,000 loads before they need replacing — three times as long as most other brands' durability claims. While we haven't tested these long enough to prove this claim, we will continue to use them and update this story as we notice any other changes. For homes that only wash smaller loads, these dryer balls are available in a pack of three. That's enough to fluff up small loads.

<p><strong>$19.95</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GA9P5P0?tag=syndication-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10055.g.42861190%5Bsrc%7Cmsn-us">Shop Now</a></p><p>We'd be remiss to not include this set of six dryer balls from Smart Sheep <strong>with over 63,000 reviews on Amazon</strong>. The woman-owned brand based in the United States and Nepal employs women in Nepal to make the dryer balls and "work-at-home moms" in the States to inspect and package all of the orders. We haven't tested this set in the Cleaning Lab yet, but thousands of reviewers swear by it. Like other wool dryer balls, these will not reduce static in laundry loads and some reviewers even mentioned it seemed like there was more static than usual when they used these. </p><p>Though you shouldn't need to wash them often, according to the manufacturer, these dryer balls are machine washable in hot water. Just make sure to dry them well in a regular dryer cycle after. Some reviewers online also claimed that washing them rids this set of any unpleasant sheep smell you may notice straight out of the box. </p>

3) Wool Dryer Balls

We'd be remiss to not include this set of six dryer balls from Smart Sheep with over 63,000 reviews on Amazon . The woman-owned brand based in the United States and Nepal employs women in Nepal to make the dryer balls and "work-at-home moms" in the States to inspect and package all of the orders. We haven't tested this set in the Cleaning Lab yet, but thousands of reviewers swear by it. Like other wool dryer balls, these will not reduce static in laundry loads and some reviewers even mentioned it seemed like there was more static than usual when they used these.

Though you shouldn't need to wash them often, according to the manufacturer, these dryer balls are machine washable in hot water. Just make sure to dry them well in a regular dryer cycle after. Some reviewers online also claimed that washing them rids this set of any unpleasant sheep smell you may notice straight out of the box.

<p><strong>$13.00</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.indigowild.com/collections/zum-clean-wool-dryer-balls/products/sea-salt-zum-clean-wool-balls-kit">Shop Now</a></p><p>Zum's wool dryer ball kit is <strong>the only brand we tested that included a bottle of an essential oil blend with each set of dryer balls. </strong>The brand offers three unique scents that can be repurchased without having to purchase a new set of dryer balls, though you cannot purchase the dryer balls on their own. We tried the sea salt and patchouli scents in the Cleaning Lab and found them to be pleasant and light, leaving a very subtle scent on loads of laundry. The sea salt aroma blend smelled more like citrus, but it was our favorite of the two scents tested. </p><p>After just a few cycles in the dryer, these dryer balls began showing signs of wear that others didn't, like indentations on the surface. This didn't seem to affect the dryer balls' ability to tumble around the dryer. And at just $13 for three dryer balls, it is also a cost-effective option, especially considering the aroma blend scent that is included with each set. </p>

4) Sea Salt Wool Dryer Balls Kit

Zum's wool dryer ball kit is the only brand we tested that included a bottle of an essential oil blend with each set of dryer balls. The brand offers three unique scents that can be repurchased without having to purchase a new set of dryer balls, though you cannot purchase the dryer balls on their own. We tried the sea salt and patchouli scents in the Cleaning Lab and found them to be pleasant and light, leaving a very subtle scent on loads of laundry. The sea salt aroma blend smelled more like citrus, but it was our favorite of the two scents tested.

After just a few cycles in the dryer, these dryer balls began showing signs of wear that others didn't, like indentations on the surface. This didn't seem to affect the dryer balls' ability to tumble around the dryer. And at just $13 for three dryer balls, it is also a cost-effective option, especially considering the aroma blend scent that is included with each set.

<p>The GH Beauty Lab regularly tests the lastest body and <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/reviews/g2487/best-sunscreen-for-face-reviews/">face sunscreen</a> formulas on the market. In the most recent sunscreen test,<strong> Beauty Lab scientists analyzed 62 new body sunscreens and polled 1,139 people on their sunscreen habits </strong>to inform the testing.After narrowing the field to the top 29 sunscreens, GH Beauty Lab Director <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/12432/birnur-aral-ph-d/">Birnur Aral, Ph.D.</a> and chemists <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/1473/sabina-wizemann/">Sabina Wizemann</a> and <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/12466/danusia-wnek/">Danusia Wnek</a> enlisted the help of consumer testers across demographics and races to evaluate the products. Each tester used a label-masked product at least twice over the course of one week, then reported their feedback on factors such as ease of use, scent, texture, look and feel on skin and sun protection ability. </p>

5) How we chose the best wool dryer balls

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we research, test and write about hundreds of cleaning appliances and cleaning and organizing products every year. During judging for our latest Cleaning and Organizing Awards we tested over 200 products in three months, recruiting other GH Institute experts and over 1,000 of our GH+ consumer testers to gather data. We've tested dozens of laundry detergents , the best stain removers and even a few laundry hampers .

To put together this round-up of the best wool dryer balls, we researched the dryer balls available from several online retailers, taking into account online product reviews, manufacturer claims and the cost of each product. Over several months, we tested three brands in our laundry loads at home to assess the durability of the products. We also consulted with experts in our Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab to answer questions about the sustainability of wool dryer balls and how fiber type might (or might not) affect the quality of wool dryer balls.

6) What to look for when shopping for the best wool dryer balls

Most dryer balls should get the job done, regardless of the material they are made from, how much they cost or where they are made. But, this doesn't mean you can't keep a few things in mind when deciding which brand of dryer balls to purchase.

✔️ Material: Some dryer balls are made entirely from wool while others have a hard center that is wrapped in wool or another soft fabric. While this likely won't affect a dryer ball's ability to bounce around the dryer, it could produce more noise than a dryer ball constructed entirely from soft wool. Many brands tout New Zealand wool as the best type of wool for dryer balls, but our Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs says this is not likely to make a difference in the quality of the balls. There are also plastic and rubber dryer balls that work the same way and will not unravel after a couple thousand loads like some wool dryer balls do.

✔️ Scent: If you're using wool dryer balls as a replacement for fabric softener or dryer sheets, you might miss the subtle scent these products leave behind on your laundry. Look for dryer ball sets that include a bottle of essential oil or consider buying your own favorite essential oils separately. Just a few drops on each ball before you drop them in the dryer should be enough.

✔️ Cost: Most brands recommend using up to six dryer balls for large loads of laundry or bedding, so if you find yourself drying large loads often, buy a larger set of dryer balls. For the most part, you'll find options that cost between $10 to $25 for three to six dryer balls.

7) Are wool dryer balls worth it?

Wool dryer balls are worth it for those who have sensitivities to ingredients in dryer sheets and fabric softeners or simply want to remove ingredient-packed products from their laundry routine. You'll also cut down on the number of laundry products you regularly need to purchase. Most manufacturers of wool dryer balls claim that they can be reused in over 1,000 loads of laundry, so you likely won't have to repurchase dryer balls for years, reducing the amount of waste that is produced by your laundry routine. It is a great way to simplify your routine and reduce the likelihood of overusing laundry products.

It is important to keep in mind that while dryer balls can fluff up garments and help keep garments separated during a dry cycle, they do not have the fabric softening ingredients dryer sheets and fabric softeners have, so garments will not come out of the dryer feeling as soft. They do fluff up garments which makes them feel softer than using nothing at all.

Additionally, any reduction in drying times noticed when using dryer balls is due to the physical action of keeping items separated to allow for better airflow. But drying time reduction is likely negligible, so don't expect to see much impact on your electric or gas bill. Note that this means that any claims that these spherical laundry tools make laundry day more sustainable through a reduction of energy consumption are likely not significant either. In fact, our Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab executive director, Birnur Aral, Ph.D. , says “the benefits of using a reusable item versus a one-time use item will outweigh any other purported environmental benefits made by wool dryer ball manufacturers."

Less wrinkled clothing might also be a byproduct of dryer balls' ability to separate garments while they tumble in a dry cycle, but they do not eliminate wrinkles completely nor do they totally eliminate static.

8) How to clean wool dryer balls

You shouldn’t have to clean your wool dryer balls often, but if you start to notice bits of fabric and other debris caught in the material, use a lint roller or a fabric shaver to remove the debris on the surface. For a deeper clean, check with the dryer ball manufacturer for the best cleaning method. Some brands don't recommend washing wool dryer balls in the washing machine (or at all), while others specifically recommend this method. It’s best to stick with their suggestions to avoid having your wool dryer balls unravel before their time. If your dryer balls have shrunk significantly, are unraveling or are otherwise looking worse for wear, it is probably time to buy a new set.

9) Can I use tennis balls as dryer balls?

Tennis balls can provide some of the same benefits of wool dryer balls, like separating garments and fluffing up fabrics, but we don't recommend using them in place of dryer balls. Tennis balls will cause significantly more noise as they bounce around your dryer's interior and can be made from rubber or other materials that can produce funky smells as they're heated. Plus, if the tennis balls are not colorfast, their color could transfer to your freshly washed laundry. It's best to use products for their manufacturer's intended use, so keep the tennis balls on the court and out of the laundry room.

10) Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Jodhaira Rodriguez has been researching, testing and writing for the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab since 2021. For this story, she consulted with experts across various Labs in the Good Housekeeping Institute to find the most accurate and relevant information about wool dryer balls. She also tested three of the wool dryer ball sets in this story and spent several hours reading through consumer reviews online.

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IMAGES

  1. HomeWorks 2 Pack Wool Dryer Balls: Raccoon, Pig or Sheep

    homeworks wool dryer balls

  2. HomeWorks 2 Pack Wool Dryer Balls Ecofriendly

    homeworks wool dryer balls

  3. Wool Dryer Balls Set of 6

    homeworks wool dryer balls

  4. Wool Dryer Balls

    homeworks wool dryer balls

  5. Felted Homegrown Wool Dryer Balls (Set of 3)

    homeworks wool dryer balls

  6. How to Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

    homeworks wool dryer balls

COMMENTS

  1. What Do Wool Dryer Balls Do? Here's How to Use Them Correctly

    Wool dryer balls reduce wrinkles, speed up drying times, and soften clothes. If your laundry often emerges from the dryer still damp or looks wrinkled, you may be searching for a quick fix. Enter: wool dryer balls. The soft spheres are an easy way to soften clothes, speed up drying times, and reduce static cling.

  2. The 10 Best Wool Dryer Balls

    Blueland's dryer balls are made from 100 percent New Zealand wool that's sourced from suppliers who do not engage in harmful wool-harvesting practices. Their dryer balls are also designed to replace up to 1,000 single-use dryer sheets. And, when you're finally done with them, they're compostable, too.

  3. 6 Best Dryer Balls of 2024

    Quantity: 6. SnugPad Dryer Balls, made of organic New Zealand wool, are baby-safe and chemical-free. However, they didn't score many points for quality, durability, or drying power in our tests. Laundry still felt damp after drying for 40 minutes.

  4. How To Use Wool Dryer Balls And Why They Work

    XL dryer balls like the best selling wool dryer balls on Amazon or the 3 pack multicolored balls from Dropps do great with 3 for small to regular loads, or more for large loads. Remember, the dryer balls are bouncing between wet clothes creating pockets of air so 1 ball probably won't do as good of a job as 3+ balls.

  5. The ultimate guide to using and caring for wool dryer balls

    It's so simple that all you have to do is open your dryer and add three or more dryer balls in with your laundry. Now turn on your dryer and let those amaze balls save you energy. It is recommended to use at least 3 balls. Personally, I use 6 or more especially for extra large loads.

  6. Do Wool Dryer Balls Work & How To Use Them

    Wool dryer balls will typically last for more than 1,000 loads or somewhere between 2-5 years of use. However, you will also know it is time to replace wool dryer balls once they begin to look scraggly. You don't want chunks of wool fiber to rip off in the the dryer. The occasional tissue making it into the dryer to disintegrate is bad enough.

  7. Wool Dryer Balls: Why They Work & How To Use Them

    For something so simple, dryer balls work surprisingly well. "Wool dryer balls reduce static and drying time by separating clothes and allowing hot air to circulate evenly and efficiently. The wool from the balls also helps reduce drying time by absorbing some of the moisture from the clothes," Julia Watkins, the author of Simply Living Well: A ...

  8. How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

    Soak and Felt in Hot Water. Add the filled sock or pantyhose to a pot of hot water, and bring it to a boil, which will make the felted dryer balls. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat source, but allow the balls to soak until the water is cool. The hot water will cause the wool to shrink and felt.

  9. The 9 Best Wool Dryer Balls for 2022

    Most responsibly sourced: Friendsheep Eco Wool Dryer Balls. Cutest: Wooly Heroes Dryer Balls. Best storage option: East Cobb Products Wool Dryer Balls. Best budget pick: Handy Laundry Wool Dryer ...

  10. How to Use Wool Dryer Balls

    Make sure you have enough for the size of the load you're trying to dry. For a medium load, you'll want 3-5 wool balls; For a larger load, 6-8 wool balls. Throw the balls in the dryer with your laundry, and let the dryer work its magic. Be aware, though, that using them decreases dry time. To prevent a staticky mess, pay attention to your ...

  11. How to Use Dryer Balls for Perfectly Dry Clothing

    Add any extra fragrance or moisture to wool dryer balls well before starting the cycle. Place three to four dryer balls inside the dryer drum with wet laundry. Using multiple dryer balls maximizes effectiveness. Also, avoid overloading the dryer. Store the balls in a dry place after the cycle is complete.

  12. The 8 Best Dryer Balls of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

    Given their ability to reduce wrinkles and static, we think these dryer balls are an excellent option. Plus, the versatile pack comes in several playful designs, including standard white, sheep, penguin, and puppy. Material: New Zealand wool | Amount: 6 in pack | Diameter: 2.95 inches. Real Simple / Dera Burreson.

  13. The Best Dryer Balls

    Keep reading for comparison shopping advice and recommendations. BEST OVERALL: Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls. RUNNER UP: CoolCloudS Dryer Balls. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wantell Wool ...

  14. How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

    Anusha Rajeswaran. Cut the wool balls out of the hosiery; they should be felted and feel firm to the touch. Add one drop each of your favorite essential oils to the dryer ball. For a fresh clean scent, we recommend using one drop of lavender, lemon, and bergamot essential oil. Allow the oil to dry for one hour before use.

  15. How to Use Dryer Balls: How They Work & the Benefits of Use

    When wool dryer balls are new, they might leave some lint on your clothes. Use light-colored balls for light clothes and dark-colored balls for darks to fix the problem. 5. Reduce the normal drying time by up to 25% when you set the cycle. Your load will dry more quickly than normal, so check for dryness a few minutes before the cycle is up to ...

  16. How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls & Why To Do It

    After many uses wool dryer balls will become less effective at helping to absorb moisture in the dryer and will need to be recharged. 1. Wash the wool dryer balls. Take your wool dryer balls and run them through your clothes washer on the gentle cycle with hot water. Not only will this clean your dryer balls somewhat by removing some of the ...

  17. HomeWorks 2 Pack Wool Dryer Balls Ecofriendly

    Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HomeWorks 2 Pack Wool Dryer Balls Ecofriendly - Penguin at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! ... Laundry Dryer Balls, Washer & Dryer Combinations Wool/Knits Sets, BALL Washers, Dryers, Parts & Accessories,

  18. Woolite Wool Dryer Ball Set (6-Pack) W-82429

    Have your laundry feeling fresh and new with the Woolite 6 Pack Wool Dryer Ball Set. The kit includes 60 large wool dryer balls and 1 drawstring canvas storage bag. Ecofriendly, time saving and money saving by reducing drying time by 25%, the wool balls are a natural alternative to dryer sheets. Reusable up to 1000 loads, you are sure to get your money's worth. Proven to keep your clothes ...

  19. Do dryer balls work?

    By contrast, wool dryer balls are far softer and therefore create little to no noise when at work in your machine. While not all are created equal, a quality dryer ball will speed along the time ...

  20. Are All Wool Dryer Balls The Same? Our Experts Weigh In

    $13.00. Shop Now. Zum's wool dryer ball kit is the only brand we tested that included a bottle of an essential oil blend with each set of dryer balls.The brand offers three unique scents that can ...

  21. Lightinstall

    Lutron HomeWorks QS Lighting and shade control solution for restaurant "Forum" in the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo 55 lighting dimmable zones…

  22. Tasty Peach Moscow Mule Recipe

    Peach vodka is what primarily gives this Peach Moscow Mule its peach flavor. However, if you don't want to buy peach vodka or simply want a stronger peach flavor, you could one of two things: Muddle 1/3 cup chopped peaches or 1/2 of a peach at the bottom of the mug as the first step, OR. Puree 1/3 cup chopped peaches or 1/2 of a peach in a blender.

  23. APPY HOUR: Aubrey's Holiday 4-Cheese Ball

    Aubrey is infamous around our Co-op for two things: her sassy sense of humor and her holiday cheese balls. People travel from miles around (well, staff flock from their respective departments) to dig into these savory treats she makes every holiday season. And now, Beet Box readers, we're sharing on

  24. INTERTEKH, OOO Company Profile

    Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for INTERTEKH, OOO of Elektrostal, Moscow region. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet.