Most laundry softening products are problematic and not eco-friendly. If you’ve decided to switch from chemical-based softeners to a more natural and environment-friendly solution, you should consider using wool dryer balls. If you’ve already bought dryer balls and are not sure how to use them the right way, this blog post is for you.
On the bright side, it’s quite simple to use all-natural, wool dryer balls. However, it’s important to understand how to maximize the positive impact of wool dryer balls on your clothes. Some benefits include better static removal, added fragrance, and less drying time.
In this guide, we’ll comprehensively explain how to use wool dryer balls. We’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions related to the use of wool dryer balls. Let’s get started!
What Are Wool Dryer Balls?
Let’s quickly explain what wool dryer balls are in case you haven’t used them before and don’t know how they really work. Wool dryer balls are made of 100% natural wool. However, dryer balls can also be made of plastic and rubber.
The prime function of dryer balls is to prevent laundry from sticking together in the dryer by tumbling between fabric layers. The use of dryer balls facilitates the circulation of air which leads to reduced drying time. The dryer balls tumbling against fabric prevents static, fights wrinkles, and softens clothes.
How To Use Wool Dryer Balls
If you haven’t bought them yet, go to our online store and buy our LaundryFresh Dryer Ball Kit that contains 100% organic wool dryer balls and our Odor Eliminator + Air Freshener spray. Wool dryer balls are a more natural and eco-friendly solution than plastic dryer balls.
Whatsmore, they produce better results when it comes to drying times or softening clothes. We’ll talk more about the benefits of using wool dryer balls, but let’s explain how you should use wool dryer balls:
- Open up your dryer and put in your wet clothes.
- Take three or four balls and toss them into your dryer.
- Set your dryer to warm to get best results.
- Press start and let the wool dryer balls do their magic.
These wool balls will reduce the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes. If you want to add some added freshness to your laundry, spray each dryer ball with a spritz of our non-toxic Odor Eliminator + Air Freshing Spray and then toss them in the dryer. Your clothes will come out soft, lint-free and fresh smelling.
Since wool dryer balls reduce drying time, be sure to prevent clothes from overdrying. If you’re not using an automatic dryer, pull your laundry out before it gets too dry.
How Wool Dryer Balls Work
Dryer balls work by creating a space between the layers of clothes. Separating clothes let the hot air circulate freely between clothes. This is why it’s recommended not to use dryer balls with large loads of laundry. Wool dryer balls work best when used with medium or regular-sized loads so the balls get enough room to bounce around and get their job done more efficiently.
Wondering how many balls you should use with a regular-sized load? Generally speaking, you should use 3 XL balls per load.
When To Replace Them
You might be wondering when to replace wool dryer balls or how long they last. There’s a simple answer: wool dryer balls last over 1,000 loads.
How many laundry loads do you do in a year? Do the math and you’ll know how long you can expect your wool dryer balls to last. When wool yarn fibers start appearing on your dry clothing, you may consider replacing wool dryer balls. Or, replace them when they start looking scraggly.
Do Wool Dryer Balls Really Reduce Static Cling?
Some people come up with this question because they think dryer sheets are more efficient than wool dryer balls when it comes to static cling.
Over-drying your clothes is the most common reason why static occurs. If you run your dryer too long with or without dryer balls, you are going to notice static. As we mentioned earlier, it’s important not to over-dry your clothes when using wool dryer balls (or without). Unnecessarily extending the drying process not only consumes more energy but also reduces the lifespan of your clothes.
Therefore, make sure to keep track of the drying time, especially during dry seasons. Another tip to eliminate static is to separate synthetics to ensure static-free laundry. It might be a good idea to air dry syntheticson a drying rack.
One more quick solution: spray each ball with water and make them damp. This quick trick creates steam in the dryer which will help reduce static on your clothes.
Benefits of Using Wool Dryer Balls the Right Way
We’ve already mentioned a couple of benefits of wool dryer balls. People who are fully aware of the benefits of wool dryer balls don’t go back to using dryer sheets or fabric softeners. Here’s a list of the benefits you’ll get when using wool dryer balls:
- Dryer balls are more cost-efficient when compared to dryer sheets.
- You would be able to save energy by reducing the drying time to 20%-30%.
- As the name suggests, wool dryer balls are made of 100% natural, non-toxic materials.
- You can use a set of wool balls for 1,000+ loads of laundry.
- Essential oil can be added to wool balls to add an all-natural, long-lasting fragrance to your clothes.
One more thing about dryer balls is that they soften clothes. You don’t have to use any chemicals or additives for this purpose. When wool dryer balls tumble around with your laundry, it gently smoothes edgy fibers and softens clothes.
On the other hand, chemical-based softeners deposit a thin layer of chemicals onto fabrics. When washed with fabric softeners again and again, those layers keep building up over time. Fabric softener buildup has a negative effect on clothes. .
Where To Buy Wool Dryer Balls and All-Natural Laundry Products
Azuna now offers a LaundryFresh Dryer Ball Kit that comes with four extra-large wool dryer balls and an 6.8oz Odor Eliminator + Air Freshener Ultra Mist Spray to freshen your laundry. Visit our online store to learn more about our products!
Sources:
What is Static Cling? (with pictures) | Wise Geek
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls and Why You Should | Everyday Cheapskate
Do Wool Dryer Balls Work & How To Use Them | The Homemade Experiment
