Wool dryer balls are an incredible, all-natural way to eliminate static cling, soften clothes, save energy, and dry clothes faster. If you’re reading this post, you probably want to know how long wool dryer balls last and what you can do to make them last longer. In this post, we’re going to answer these FAQs and help you make better use of them.
If you like to use natural, eco-friendly products, you should make wool dryer balls a key part of your laundry toolkit. When you place dryer balls in between wet layers of clothing, they allow warm air to dry your clothes quickly and prevent them from sticking together.
How Wool Dryer Balls Work
While your dryer is designed to dry clothes, wool dryer balls add a second layer of drying. You’ve probably used conventional fabric softeners to improve the quality of your laundry. However, those liquid fabric softeners contain harmful chemicals and irritants that are not good for our planet. Wool dryer balls are an incredible alternative to chemical-based clothes washing products.
Wool dryer balls perform maximum results when used with small or medium loads. The more room they have to move around, the better results they produce. They not only keep clothes separated in the dryer to help air move freely but also retain heat. This can lead to 25% less drying time per load.
Note: Over-drying can make it difficult for you to reduce static cling.
How Long Do Wool Dryer Balls Last?
Wool dryer balls can be used over 1,000 times and you may need to replace them after two to five years depending on your laundry needs. For example, if you do one load every week, your wool dryer balls can last for almost 20 years. Likewise, if you do 20 large loads a week, you can use dryer balls for about a year. You can do the math and find out how long your wool dryer balls will last. One thing is for sure: you can’t get similar results using traditional fabric softeners.
The average American family does about 300 loads of laundry per year. If dryer balls have an expected lifespan of around 1,000 loads, your wool dryer balls can last for 3.33 years.
Imagine how much money you’ll save if you’re a regular user of fabric softeners. We can conclude that wool dryer balls are the most cost-effective way to soften and dry your clothes. Besides, these are made of 100% wool; they don’t leave residues. You extend the life of your clothes, protect the environment, and save laundry costs.
Good quality wool dryer balls or plastic dryer balls will give you 1,000 loads of laundry, which seems like an eternity. Since you can’t keep track of loads, you should replace them when they start unraveling or look scraggly.
How To Extend the Life of Wool Dryer Balls
If you want your wool dryer balls to give you 1,000+ loads, take good care of them. After lots of runs in the dryer, wool dryer balls are likely to become less efficient in absorbing water. To restore the effectiveness of your wool dryer balls, all you need to do is wash them in hot water and then dry them on high heat. This recharging process will regenerate the wool and restore its ability to absorb and extend its lifespan.
Don’t toss them in the trash if you just feel like it’s time to replace them. Here are a couple of tips for freshening up the organic wool:
- Make a mixture of mild laundry soap and warm water and hand wash wool balls. Don’t machine-wash them as it can further damage the felted wool.
- To get rid of the lintbuild-up, wash them gently and then shave the surface with a sweater shaver or razor.
The Right Time To Replace Dryer Wool Balls
As we mentioned earlier, it's not practical to count 1,000+ loads and then replace your wool dryer balls. You have to examine them when pieces of wool start coming off. When people don’t use them properly or don’t care for them, dryer wool balls become less efficient before their expected lifespan.
If you’ve decided to replace used wool dryer balls, don’t throw them away. You can still use them in so many creative ways. For example, you can freshen your air by adding some drops of essential oils to them and placing them in a drawer or closet or if you compost add them to the bin or pile.
Why Wool Dryer Balls Are Better Than Dryer Sheets
The top benefit of wool dryer balls is that they are an environmentally friendly alternative to dryer sheets. You might be wondering whether or not dryer sheets are bad for the environment. If you want to learn more about the eco-friendliness of dryer sheets, read the ingredients mentioned on dryer sheets.
Dryer sheets are a single-use item and there is a fair chance that they emit harmful toxins into the air. So many experts consider wool dryer balls a safer choice when it comes to environment and cost-effectiveness. Why? Because they are an all-natural, chemical-free alternative to traditional dryer sheets. This is also why people with sensitive skin prefer to use wool dryer balls.
Shop LaundryFresh Dryer Ball Kit
When it comes to natural ways of drying clothes, Azuna offers a superb solution in the form of the LaundryFresh Dryer Ball Kit. The kit contains an natural spray with your favorite essential oils and 100% organic New Zealand wool dryer balls. It’s a perfect mix of natural products that allow you to soften and freshen up your clothes in an eco-friendly way. Don’t forget to add this kit to your laundry room.
You no longer need to use a chemical-based fabric softener or dryer sheets. All of our products are natural, non-toxic and biodegradable. Reduce lint, wrinkles, and soften clothes with the best wool dryer ball kit. Visit our online store to browse through our odor eliminating and air freshing products!
Sources:
Laundry Practices and Water Conservation (US National Park Service) | NPS
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls and Why You Should | Everyday CHeapskate
