Is there anything better than throwing on freshly washed, warm clothes?
What about clean clothes that are washed with sustainable and non-toxic materials? Dryer sheets typically contain harmful materials, such as fragrance, benzyl acetate, and even formaldehyde [1]! Not only are they toxic to our health and environment, they’re toxic to our wallets, too. These products lack reusability. Instead, use wool dryer balls. These non-toxic laundry items are a great way to reduce your use of dryer sheets. Toss in a dryer ball the next time you dry your clothes. Here’s all you need to know to make this simple change for your health.
What Are Dryer Balls?
Get many of the benefits of dryer sheets without exposing your home to harmful chemicals. Invest in wool dryer balls to keep your threads looking sharp and feeling static-free.
Wool dryer balls are typically crafted with wool from sheep or alpaca. Unlike conventional dryer sheets that can release toxic substances into the air, dryer balls are a safe choice for both your family and the environment. They can be reused for hundreds of loads, making them a cost-effective solution as well.
Why Dryer Balls for Laundry?
So, how do dryer balls work? Dryer balls collect lint and naturally soften fabrics without the use of chemicals and perfumes.
Beyond being a healthier option, dryer balls may actually work better than your typical dryer sheet. They are durable and reusable. Therefore, this alternative to dryer sheets may save you time and money with a reduction in drying time and electricity usage.
Additionally, your clothes may leave better than they come with minimized wrinkles and static cling!
Instructions for Using Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are as easy to use as they are round. Follow our simple guide before your next load into the washer:
- Place your wet clothes in the dryer.
- Add 1-2 balls for a light load and 3-6 for a heavier load.
- Close the dryer, and you’re good to go!
How Many Dryer Balls Do You Use At Once?
Forget repeatedly having to buy dryer sheets. Dryer balls are great for the environment and your wallet!
How many dryer balls you use at a time could depend on a lot of factors, including how much laundry you are drying and how many times you’ve used the dryer balls.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend 1-2 wool dryer balls for a small load, 3-4 for a medium, and 5-6 for a heavy load.
How Do You Recharge Dryer Balls?
Dryer balls’ amazing reusable abilities mean that they live longer than their initial purchase. We recommend revamping your dryer balls at least every 6 months to make sure they continue cleaning properly.
Not sure how to recharge dryer balls? Just simply run them in your laundry machine through a gentle cycle in hot water and then dry them on high heat.
How to Store Wool Dryer Balls
Store your dryer balls in a dry and ventilated area. A dry and ventilated area ensures that the balls stay fresh and don’t accumulate mildew growth.
Keep them out of reach of your furry friends so they don’t end up as their dinner! We recommend placing them in a wooden compartment somewhere in your laundry room or closet.
How Do You Add Essential Oils to Wool Dryer Balls?
Want to customize your laundry loads? Add essential notes!
First and foremost, only use oils that are third-party tested. This will ensure there aren’t any heavy metals or other harmful contaminants in the oils. Contamination is common with essential oils [2]. So, be on the safe side!
Once you select a third-party lab-tested essential oil, add 1-3 drops from an eye dropper to a dryer ball. Ensure you do not use more, as too much can cause irritations or have other potentially harmful effects.
Then, toss the wool dryer balls into the laundry as you normally do. Go through your days smelling like lavender, rose, tangerine…the possibilities are endless!
Where to Get Dryer Balls
Don't let the wool get pulled over your eyes. Wool dryer balls are not hard to find anymore. In fact, wool dryer balls are becoming more and more accessible for consumers to purchase. You can find them at many popular stores.
They're also readily available on Amazon. Just make sure to purchase white, gray, or black wool dryer balls. They should be the color of an animal's coat.
Fabrics with other colors could have threads that are colored by heavy metals or petrochemicals. These chemicals can be released into your air, especially during hot drying cycles.
Get Personalized Tips for A Healthier Home
Want to continue making healthy lifestyle choices? Make your place a healthier home by ensuring you are aware of your toxic exposures. Get tested with Million Marker’s Detect & Detox Test Kit. Learn about the levels of phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and oxybenzone in your body. Get practical recommendations for minimizing those exposures!
Wool Dryer Balls vs. Dryer Sheets
When comparing dryer sheets to dryer balls, there’s a clear winner. Wool dryer balls are far superior to dryer sheets in every way. They are free from harmful chemicals, keep clothes free from static, reduce the time to dry clothes, and can even be used to tailor your aromatic experience. Just throw the dryer balls into your next dryer cycle and see (and smell) the benefits for yourself!
Resources
[1] https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dryer-sheet-ingredient-safety
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21774014/