9 Benefits of Using a Dryer Ball

Dryer balls are a great way to save time and money on your laundry. These specially designed balls help speed up the drying process by lifting and separating fabrics, allowing hot air to flow freely and evenly throughout the load.

Dryer balls are typically made from 100% all-natural wool, which is environmentally friendly and long-lasting. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to traditional dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners.  

Discover the benefits of wool dryer balls and how they transform laundry day. 

1. Faster Drying Times

Dryer balls allow for more air circulation between the garments, ensuring that your items are drying more efficiently. By placing one or two dryer balls in your machine, you can reduce the time for drying clothes by 30 to 50 percent, depending on your dryer model. 

Dryer balls work by separating layers of clothing, allowing hot air to reach all surfaces. This helps cut down your drying cycle time.

2. Less Lint

Using dryer balls can reduce the amount of lint that builds up during each cycle in the clothes dryer. If left unchecked, this accumulation of lint can cause permanent damage to the fabric and fibers of clothing, making them appear dull or stained.

Lint can also cause fires when it accumulates around heating elements or is ignited by static electricity.

3. Fewer Wrinkles

Keeping clothes looking new can be challenging, and liquid fabric softeners alone might not be the answer. Adding 2-6 dryer balls to each load of laundry helps reduce wrinkles in your fabrics.

As the dryer tumbles clothes around, the balls bounce and help keep fabrics from becoming too tangled or knotted. This reduces friction and tugging on clothing fibers which can lead to fabric pilling. 

4. Soft Clothes

Mineral deposits in hard municipal water supplies and detergent residue can build up on clothes causing fabrics to feel rough and uncomfortable to wear. While fabric softeners can chemically break down these substances, they often leave behind a residue that can irritate the skin. 

Dryer balls offer a natural, skin-friendly way to get softer clothes. As the balls tumble around the dryer, they agitate the clothing fabrics, separating the fibers and giving them a softer, fluffier feel. 

Dryer balls can also be infused with drops of essential oils for an aromatherapy experience for those who prefer fragrance along with freshness in their laundry cycles.

5. Safe for Sensitive Skin

If your skin is sensitive to wool dryer sheets and fabric softeners, then wool dryer balls are an ideal alternative. They won’t leave behind any residue that can cause skin reactions or irritation. 

Liquid fabric softeners may contain phthalates and synthetic musks such as galaxolide, which may cause contact dermatitis in people with sensitivities. Wool dryer balls don’t contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances, making them an excellent option for keeping laundry soft and safe, even for those who may have delicate skin.

6. Environmentally-Friendly

Conventional methods for drying and softening clothes can be harmful to the environment. Dryer sheets are made from synthetic polyester, making them a non-biodegradable single-use plastic that pollutes the environment. 

Fabric softeners are petroleum based and contain preservatives and dyes that can adversely impact marine life when laundry wastewater ends up in the waterways. 

Dryer balls are a great way to be more eco-friendly in the laundry room. Most dryer balls are made from biodegradable wool, so they break down when disposed of correctly. This reduces the amount of plastic waste that could end up in landfills or waterways and eliminates the need for chemicals often found in traditional fabric softeners.

7. Affordable Option

The average American household spends approximately $170 on laundry supplies each year, including detergents, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners. Dryer balls provide an economical solution to keeping your clothing, towels, and linens soft and clean. 

Dryer balls can be used for up to 1,000 loads, equivalent to around 2-5 years of use, helping you cut down on your laundry expenses. They represent an affordable option for budget-conscious shoppers looking to keep their clothes soft and wrinkle-free.

8. Save Energy

Drying your loads of laundry can be costly, especially for those with large families. On average, electric dryers can consume 2 to 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per load. The amount of energy used per load would depend on how long the dry cycle is for your specific dryer model. 

For example, if you have a 6 kWh dryer with an hour-long drying cycle and pay $0.12 per kWh, you would pay $0.72 per load. The average household does approximately 7.4 loads of laundry per week, which equates to $5.33 each week spent on drying your clothes.

One way to reduce energy waste is to switch to wool dryer balls. By reducing the drying time of your clothes, you can save money on your utility bills.

9. Reduce Static Electricity

Dryer balls help reduce static cling by absorbing the humidity created by the damp clothes at the beginning of the cycle and releasing it at the end. This makes clothing easier to iron and prevents clothes from sticking together in the dryer.  

Elevate Your Laundry Game

Ready to elevate your laundry game? Ditch fabric softeners and dryer sheets and switch to wool dryer balls. Your clothes will come out softer, static-free, and fluffier than ever. 

At HomesNGardens, we’re more than just your go-to source for inspiration: we want to help you improve your lifestyle and make life easier with smart tips and solutions.

Recent posts