Why You Should Be Using Wool Dryer Balls

Protecting your clothes should be your top priority when using a drying machine. Any mistake could result in shrunken pants, itchy shirts, or torn-up sweaters. Luckily, several tools are available at our disposal to help maintain the quality of our garments, such as dryer sheets. According to Whirlpool, dryer sheets maintain your laundry's soft texture and limit the amount of static produced. Additionally, this product performs best with items made of natural materials.

However, in recent years, wool dryer balls have grown in popularity due to a variety of benefits, per Dependable Cleaners. One reason is that they lack harmful chemicals, making them a better choice for the environment. So, unlike dryer sheets, they won't leave behind a residue on the walls of your drying machine. However, this is only one of many reasons why you should try using dryer balls. We'll break down everything you need to know below.

How it works

According to Maytag, using wool dryer balls prevents your laundry from tangling together by bouncing between your personal items. As a result, the warm air your dryer produces can better flow through your laundry and dry them faster. The wool material it's made of is also known to soak up moisture and reduce drying time. Other benefits include wrinkle and static prevention, as well as softer clothes. The plastic and rubber options are more durable; however, wool dryer balls are better if you don't want your drying machine to sound like 100 tennis matches.

However, since they're not as durable, it's important to maintain them properly. Maytag suggests placing one inside a sock and tying it shut before tossing it into the washing machine. Then set your water cycle to hot and let it wash before transferring it to the dryer. If you do this every 8 to 10 months, you'll be able to use them for a longer time.

Additional benefits

There are many more benefits we believe you should be aware of when it comes to wool dryer balls. According to One Good Thing, by reducing drying time, this product is also reducing your electricity bill. And not only that, but they save costs by lasting much longer than dryer sheets, which must be thrown away after each use. The National Park Service reported that dryer balls could withstand 1,000 loads of laundry, which means they can last a little over three years. 

One Good Thing also notes that wool dryer balls can be used to deliver pleasant scents to your laundry with the help of essential oils. All you'll need to do is add three to four drops of your favorite scent to the dryer balls before throwing them into the drying machine. To create a fresh scent, it's suggested to use a mixture of citrus and mint, such as orange, pink grapefruit, and spearmint.