If you want to make your clothes softer and fluffier while avoiding chemicals, then wool dryer balls (WDBs) may be on your radar. These compact spheres made from wool are intended to be a natural, reusable alternative to traditional fabric softener sheets or plastic dryer balls.
The only question is ...... are they really as incredible as some people make them out to be?
The truth is that there is not a great deal of evidence to determine if wool dryer balls work and if they do indeed work like fabric softeners.
But we can delve into how they can improve your laundry results, and the general consensus seems to be about how they get the job done, as well as some options for products to try. So let's get started.
Generally speaking, dryer balls work by "disrupting" your laundry load.
Basically, they bounce between clothes to prevent fabrics from bunching or pilling. This should speed up drying time, stop static electricity from forming, improve softness and fluffiness, and reduce wrinkles. Some people say they also get their pet's hair out of their clothes, but that's kind of TBD.
Typically, wool dryer balls come in sets of three or more, and in different sizes to support both your delicate clothing and your heaviest towels. Some carry a fresh scent, while others don't but can be treated with your favorite essential oils. You ideally want dryer balls made of 100 percent wool, and that match your overall aesthetic. Wool is very absorbent and wicks moisture out of the garments for a faster drying time.Plus, unlike dryer sheets, which boast similar benefits, they are reusable, compostable, and go a lot easier on your dryer.
So why wool in particular? It turns out that these things are very absorbent and can even cut your load drying time in half. It is a sustainable, renewable material that is good for the planet. It's also a smart choice for people with sensitive skin, as wool is hypoallergenic.
Probably. Ball-shaped objects of any kind - from wool dryer balls to tennis balls - may help separate clothes so they don't pucker, which may encourage them to dry faster.
One source says wool dryer balls may reduce drying time by 50 percent, but others say it's more like 10 to 25 percent. In any case, the consensus seems to be that WDB will get your wet jeans or towels out of the dryer faster.
Probably. If you like the idea of scented laundry, but don't want to deal with artificial fragrances, WDBs can help.
Some people like to pour a few drops of essential oils directly onto a ball and toss them into the dryer to infuse the clothes with the scent of the oils.
This works well, although it may take some trial and error to determine exactly how many drops of essential oil to use to get the level of scent you're looking for.
Maybe. While the balls bounce around your dryer, they could potentially grab onto pet hair, lint, or other fibers that are sticking to your clothes. And a sponsored study of one dryer ball brand (made of microfiber, not wool) found that the balls captured a decent amount of rogue fibers.
Probably not. Dryer sheets are coated with positively charged ions that are transferred to the clothes in the dryer, preventing them from sticking together. Dryer balls are not, and at least one independent test found that they don't seem to do much good for static electricity. (Note: this experiment tested plastic dryer balls, not wool - so the jury is still out on the effectiveness of wool on static electricity).
It's also worth remembering that the drier your clothes are, the more likely they are to cling to each other. And since WDB is leading the way in accelerated drying, you know what can happen with that.
If you want to try adding wool dryer balls to your laundry, you have a lot of options. Most options are advertised as extra-large, which means they're a little larger than a tennis ball, and are available in packs of six, which manufacturers say is enough to hold a lot of laundry. Nangong Junke Felt Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in the production of wool dryer balls, designed for custom design. We welcome your any inquiry!
