[typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]I’ll admit that I was as skeptical as they come when it came to wool dryer balls. [/typography]
I heard the praise but just didn’t see HOW they could cut down drying time, soften laundry, and reduce static. Finally, I decided to give them a try and I learned that they do work! This video explains everything you need to know about wool dryer balls. I’ve used highly scientific methods (joking…) to explore various questions that I hear most often.

woolbasket

I’ve found that I need at least 4 dryer balls per small load- this would include a load of cloth diapers. For larger loads you need more- and then if you have super loads like me it won’t make much of a difference since the balls need room to roam in the dryer. Overloading it and using them won’t work.

Wool dryer balls do come in different sizes and you can find this in the video. I had Tumblewool, Loo-hoo, and Molly’s Suds. Later after filming I received a set from the WAHM made brand NC Green Apples (I like the way these look the best.) so they weren’t included in much of the video.

dryerballcomparison

Tumblewool balls are the largest, Molly’s Suds were the heaviest (at 2.7 ounces), the NC Green Apples were also quite heavy. I can’t say that 2 heavier balls work the same as 3 lighter balls but I suspect that there is something to that. Heavier balls have more force behind them but having more means more clothing is getting moved around.

[typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Drying time on my cloth diapers reduced by 20-30 minutes with 4 balls per load.[/typography]

 

[typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Softening-[/typography] I do feel like using the wool dryer balls has helped slightly with softening. When you use a fabric softener you aren’t softening the clothes- you are coating them in chemicals that give them a “slick” oily feeling. This makes you think they are softer but it is actually contributing to the break down of your fabrics. If you miss the scent of fabric softeners try adding a few drops of essential oils to your wool dryer balls.

I used photoshop to "find edges" in order to highlight the static of the ball. otherwise you can't see it.
I used photoshop to “find edges” in order to highlight the static of the ball. otherwise you can’t see it.
[typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Static-[/typography] Sorry… I can’t say that wool dryer balls reduce static. I’ve used them in many a load of sheets and they come out with as much static as without.

The investment in a set of wool dryer balls is well worth it when it comes down to the energy savings. Kids also love playing with them and I keep finding balls in random places around the house. I’m determined to teach my kids to juggle because after this video I’m now the proud owner of a sheep’s worth of wool dryer balls.

Stay tuned for more videos and giveaways during the Everything but Cloth Diapers event!  

The balls seen in the video were sent by the companies for filming- I wasn’t compensated to using any brands and this is not a review.