Wool dryer balls have become pretty popular in recent years, but not everyone knows what they are or what they do. If you’re wondering ‘what do dryer balls do’ then you’re in the right place because this post will explain everything that you need to know.
Let’s take a look at the key things that wool dryer balls do to your laundry:
1. Shorten drying time
Wool dryer balls dry your laundry more quickly, saving you precious time. How do they do this?
Well, they work by stopping your laundry from clumping together. This creates small gaps so that warm air can flow between your garments. As the warm air is able to get to your clothes better, they will dry faster.
It’s a bit like the difference between hanging laundry on a clothesline pegged apart separately versus chucking them all on in one lump. The more air that gets to the clothes the quicker they will dry. When in a machine, dryer balls provide the separation that is needed to dry more efficiently.
Wool dryer balls also retain the heat from your dryer and this speeds up the drying process further. These factors will mean that your laundry dries more efficiently and more quickly so that the total drying time will be reduced.
Suggested read: How Long Should A Dryer Take To Dry Clothes?
2. Save you money
Because dryer balls will speed up the drying time of your laundry, your dryer will not have to be on for as long. This will reduce your energy consumption. Using less electricity or gas for your dryer will save you money on your bills.
Of course, you will need to buy some wool dryer balls in the first place. But, they’re pretty cheap and over time you will save money as wool dryer balls can be used over and over again.
Dryer balls are also much cheaper than those single-use dryer sheets, which are pretty expensive.
3. Soften your fabrics
Dryer balls can help to soften fabrics during their time in the clothes dryer. By constantly bashing against the fibers in your laundry, the dryer balls will agitate the fibers in your clothes. This will make them softer to the touch after a shorter drying cycle than if there were no dryer balls used.
4. Reduce static
Dryer balls can also reduce static build-up on your laundry in the dryer. When you throw a few dryer balls in with your washing they will absorb moisture and keep the air damp and static-free.
To enhance this effect further you can spray your dryer balls with a bit of water before putting them in the dryer. This will increase the humidity level further and should combat any static issues.
If you still have static after trying this, there is another trick you can try… Put a safety pin through the wool dryer ball to diffuse any remaining static. Magic!
5. Make your laundry smell great
Wool dryer balls themselves are usually unscented. But, if you like your laundry to come out with a bit of fragrance then you can simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to each dryer ball.
Do this a few hours before you plan to use the dryer so that the scent can work its way into the wool dryer ball.
Then, simply add them in with your laundry as normal and it will come out smelling nice and fresh.
6. Save ironing time
Ok, don’t get too excited! I am not saying that you can pack your iron away in its box if you throw a few dryer balls in with the laundry. But, it may make the task of getting creases out of your sheets and clothes slightly easier as the wool balls should help reduce the number of wrinkles that your garments have.
7. Help the planet
If you already use dryer sheets then switching to wool dryer balls is much better for the environment. Dryer sheets are a single-use product that contains various toxins that could potentially be getting into the air and into your clothes.
Wool dryer balls are a far more environmentally responsible product – they’re natural, chemical-free, and hypoallergenic. Many of them are also 100% organic and are ethically sourced and produced.
Crucially, they can also be re-used. And reused loads of times. A thousand times, in fact, which is pretty impressive and should mean they last a good few years.
Suggested read: How Long Do Wool Dryer Balls Last?
8. Get rid of pet hair
If you are a pet owner there is an extra bonus of using wool dryer balls, they help to remove pet hair from your clothes. Yes really! This is a huge benefit if you have a dog or a cat since their hair seems to get everywhere.
As the dryer balls bounce around against your clothes, the pet hair will stick to them and collect in your dryer’s lint trap. So, using a wool dryer ball can save you from the embarrassment of putting on a clean set of clothes only to discover (usually when it’s too late) that it is covered in dog hair!
Not all wool dryer balls are the same though and I suggest that you choose ones from a reputable brand. Cheaper alternatives can fall apart and don’t offer the same benefits or longevity making them a bit of a false economy.
Suggested read: The 10 Best Dryer Balls For Pet Hair