This is exactly what dryer balls do, they roll in between the folds and layers of your clothes to make sure the hot air moves into all the bits so that everything dries evenly. With this being said, you could also expect your drying time to decrease. Popping about 3-4 balls in your dryer will give you the best results, but hey, go wild!
What is the purpose of a dryer ball?
During dry cycles, dryer balls create separation between layers of clothing, and that separation allows hot air to circulate more easily and dry the load faster. Without dryer balls, wet clothing sticks together for the first several minutes of the dry cycle until it becomes dry enough to separate on its own.
Can you put tennis balls in the dryer?
Whether you reach for the tennis balls you already have lying around the house or order a pack of wool dryer balls, this is one laundry tip you're going to want to try ASAP.
Do dryer balls really make clothes dry faster?
Without dryer balls, wet clothing sticks together for the first several minutes of the dry cycle until it becomes dry enough to separate on its own. As they bounce around, dryer balls gently agitate the fibers of the clothing, which contributes to the softening of the fabric (allegedly) and, based on my experiment, helps reduce wrinkles.
Do dryer balls damage dryer drums?
There are some rumors out there that the extra stress that dryer balls put on your dryer’s drum could cause damage and reduce its lifespan. Fortunately, these rumors are entirely false. Dryer balls are soft, light, and designed specifically to bounce around safely in your dryer.
Why do people put balls in their laundry?
Besides reducing wrinkles and fluffing towels, a few tennis balls can help speed up drying time, so your laundry will be done faster than you think.
Do balls in the dryer work?
Quite simply, they don't work. Dryer balls also make the claim to make clothes softer, which we haven't tested – but as per our fabric softeners article, you can just give your clothes a flick when they come out of the wash and that should add some air to the fabric.
What can I put in the dryer besides tennis balls?
Instead of using a tennis ball, other objects can produce the same results. Tie a couple of T-shirts into balls and put them in the dryer with a single pillow. Add in a single clean shoe with multiple pillows. Small stuffed animals without any plastic parts can fluff the pillows and keep the dryer quiet.
What is the benefit of a dryer ball?
Dryer balls soften clothes and linens naturally by tumbling around with the laundry, smoothing out the wrinkles and softening the clothing. That being said, they work best when the dryer isn't crammed full. The balls need room to bounce around and circulate inside the dryer tub.
How do you recharge a dryer ball?
An easy way of restoring them is to "recharge" your dryer balls by washing them in hot water on a gentle cycle and then dry them in the dryer - or air dry, but it'll take a lot longer. This will regenerate the wool and give the dryer balls a fresh recharge.
How many times can you use dryer balls?
Each set can be used up to 1000 times, or roughly 2-3 years, depending on how often you do laundry. Plus, unlike plastic dryer balls, wool is biodegradable.
Are dryer balls necessary?
They help prevent laundry from clumping together in the dryer by tumbling between layers and separating fabric. This action allows warm air to circulate better which can even help reduce drying time. The movement of the dryer balls against fabrics can also help fight wrinkles, prevent static and soften clothes.
Do aluminum foil balls work in the dryer?
For static-free loads of laundry, two or three inch-thick balls of aluminum foil should do the trick. Rip off a few sheets of foil, crumple them up tightly and toss them in your dryer. Your clothes will come out sans static, all due to an exchange of electrons. Here's how it works.
What do you put in the dryer with pillows?
Place the pillows in the dryer at the lowest heat possible. Add a softener sheet for freshness, and two or three tennis balls to help fluff them. Keep an eye on the pillows and remove them as soon as they are dry.
Can I use tennis balls as dryer balls?
Yes, that's right. One of the most creative hacks for laundry doers everywhere is to throw tennis balls in dryer machines. What does this do? It can prevent clumping of the filling of bulky items (like those mentioned above) AND create more fluff1.
Do dryer balls replace dryer sheets?
1) Dryer balls reduce drying time and help clothes dry more efficiently which saves energy and money. 2) Dryer balls replace dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener saving you money because you can cross it off your shopping list!
Do wool or plastic dryer balls work better?
That can save you from the need to add a scented fabric softener to get that comforting, fresh laundry scent. Since wool dryer balls are generally heavier than plastic, they do a better job at breaking up your laundry and shortening dry times.
Why do dryer balls work?
During dry cycles, dryer balls create separation between layers of clothing, and that separation allows hot air to circulate more easily and dry the load faster. Without dryer balls, wet clothing sticks together for the first several minutes of the dry cycle until it becomes dry enough to separate on its own.
Why do we need dryer balls?
The purpose of dryer balls is to reduce drying time, eliminate static cling (when clothes stick to each other or your body due to static electricity), and soften clothes.
Why use dryer sheets?
If your goal is to reduce static cling and soften your clothes, dryer sheets are the way to go. They release positively charged particles onto clothes neutralizing the imbalance of electrons that occurs when clothing items rub together.
How long does it take for a load to dry without dryer balls?
Loads without dryer balls took an average of 47 minutes and 37 seconds to dry compared to the loads with dryer balls, which took an average of 41 minutes and 20 seconds to dry, a 14% reduction in drying time. Here are the full results:
Does wool dryer ball have moisture?
That moisture helps elevate humidity, which limits the chances of static. To enhance this effect, spray wool dryer balls with water before starting the cycle. Since wool is denser than most materials, it will hold onto that moisture and keep humidity levels higher while everything else dries completely.
Do wool dryer balls make noise?
Although they don’t have spikes like plastic dryer balls, they are just as effective. Wool dryer balls are heavy, yet soft and don’t make as much noise as the plastic kind. They absorb moisture, which aids in drying, but they also release moisture, which reduces wrinkles and static.
What happens if you put your clothes in the dryer?
If you put your laundry in the dryer and pressed start, the wet clothes will just bunch together like wet hair and flop around in a solid pile. If you could get your hands in there and separate them after each turn, they should dry nicely and evenly.
Can you leave cat balls in the dryer?
To make sure it lasts that long, do not keep them stored in a plastic container, let them breathe freely. To hell with it, you can even just leave them in the dryer. And if your cat attacks your precious balls…. Attack!
Can dogs run away with dryer balls?
Or your dog decides to run away with your dryer balls, don’t worry, it is perfectly safe for the pup and if they decide to bury them in the ground; it is not the end of the world; they are biodegradable.
Do dryer sheets make you dizzy?
Dryer sheets contain fragrances made from chemicals, shocker! These fragrances combined with the acetone in the sheets have actually made people lightheaded and dizzy. In some cases, these two softening villains have even triggered cases of asthma. I’ve felt better.
Benefits of using dryer balls
It may seem too good to be true: toss a few dryer balls in with your laundry, and you’ll get results similar to what you’d get using liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets. But it’s true; dryer balls really do perform for most types of fabrics and load sizes.
Wool dryer balls vs. plastic dryer balls
The two most popular materials for dryer balls are wool and plastic. Both are durable and non-toxic, and they hold up to repeated use. There are pros and cons to each.
Dryer ball features
The best way to compare dryer ball sizes is to think of different types of sports balls: golf balls, tennis balls, baseballs. Wool and plastic dryer balls are available in these sizes, ranging in circumference from about five to ten inches. Baseball-size wool dryer balls (“extra-large” dryer balls) are one of the most popular choices.
Dryer ball prices
Affordable and reusable, dryer balls generally cost between $10 and $30. The priciest sets contain six to eight top-quality organic wool balls and run between $20 and $30. For $10 to $20, you can get a similar set made of lesser-quality wool.
Tips
Although wool dryer balls from sheep-friendly sources are available, they may not be suitable for consumers who prefer not to use animal-based products. If you live a vegan lifestyle, opt for plastic dryer balls instead.