A Guide to Using Wool Dryer Balls

Key Takeaways

• Wool dryer balls are natural replacements for dryer sheets and fabric softener. Made from 100% New Zealand wool, they soften clothes, reduce static cling, and cut drying time by improving hot air circulation, all without synthetic chemicals, fragrances, or plastic waste. They're also hypoallergenic, making them a better choice for sensitive skin.

• One set lasts up to 1,000 drying cycles and costs less over time. Unlike single-use dryer sheets, wool dryer balls are reusable for months to years, reducing both plastic waste and recurring cost. When they've finally run their course, they're compostable.

• Getting rid of static is simple with the right technique. If static persists after switching to wool dryer balls, the fix is usually lowering the dryer heat, removing clothes before they over-dry, or adding a safety pin to the ball to discharge electrons into the drum. These tips help new users get the most out of the swap.

Wool dryer balls might be one of the easiest eco swaps you can make in your everyday laundry routine, especially if it's your first time trying them out in your laundry room. Not only are wool dryer balls better for the planet than plastic dryer sheets or liquid softeners, but they're also less work for you and more cost-efficient when used in your dryer machine. Not to mention, they help to improve the softness of your clothes. Here's what else you need to know:

What are wool dryer balls?

Wool dryer balls are a natural and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fabric softeners and dryer sheets. They are typically made from 100% pure wool, often from sheep, and are designed to be tossed into the dryer along with your laundry. Wool dryer balls are natural fabric softeners, eliminating the need for chemical-laden products and dryer sheets. A few drops of essential oil can even be added to the ball to create a natural fresh scent.

Blueland Dryer Balls use New Zealand wool sourced from suppliers who take care to treat sheep well, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices. They do not live transport sheep, they shear sheep in early summer, and they do not engage in harmful wool harvesting practices like mulesing. The primary purpose of the premium New Zealand wool dryer balls is to help reduce drying time, static cling, and lint, as well as wrinkles in your clothes.

What are the benefits of using wool dryer balls?

1. Reduced Drying Time: The wool balls create space between wet clothes in large loads in the dryer, allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently. This can result in faster drying times and, consequently, energy savings. Using wool dryer balls can significantly reduce dry time and cut down on energy consumption.

2. Softening Clothes: As the dryer balls tumble in the dryer, they help to naturally soften fabrics, reducing the need for chemical-based fabric softeners and resulting in fewer wrinkles.

3. Reduced Static Cling: Wool has natural anti-static properties, which can help reduce static cling in your laundry.

4. Longevity: Wool dryer balls are durable and can be used for multiple loads of laundry. They typically last for several months to a few years, depending on usage.

5. Scent Options: Some people like to add a few drops of essential oils to their wool dryer balls to impart a mild, natural fragrance to their laundry.

6. Hypoallergenic: Wool is a natural material and is often a good choice for those with sensitivities or allergies to synthetic materials.

Do dryer balls have a scent?

Blueland dryer balls don't have any scent in them—just New Zealand wool. You won't find any glues or chemical residue either. This is why they're a much better choice if you're sensitive to fragrance or other laundry additives. But, if you prefer they do have a scent, you can create your own! Simply put a few drops of an essential oil of your choice, such as lavender, directly onto the dryer balls, made of organic wool. Just make sure you let it dry before tossing into the dryer with clothes.

Do dryer balls make the dryer extra loud?

Nope! Because the dryer balls are completely made of wool, they're super soft so they don't bang the side of the dryer drum like other balls might.

How long do dryer balls last?

We suggest that you can use our dryer balls for up to 1,000 drying cycles but our customers have also found their dryer balls to work for even longer.

Do you have to clean your dryer balls?

Because they're only being used with washed and clean laundry, there really is no need to clean them. That said, if you feel like yours need a clean you can simply toss them into the washer to be cleaned with your next load of laundry.

What do you do with dryer balls when you're done with them?

If you feel like your long past the 1,000 dry cycles and it's time to get new dryer balls, you can just toss our dryer balls into the compost! Because they're made completely of wool, they easily break down with the rest of your compost.

How do you use wool dryer balls for laundry?

Using wool dryer balls is so easy, you'll wonder how you ever went without them. You simply just leave them in the dryer, add your wet, clean clothes and start the cycle!

How many wool dryer balls should you use?

We recommend at least three dyer balls per load but you'll want to use more with larger loads. The more you use, the more effective they'll be.

What should you do if you still have static after using dryer balls?

The most common issue that causes static is that your dryer is too hot, but here are some other things to try if you're still experiencing static after using dryer balls:

1. Reduce the heat setting or take out your clothes ahead of time. If your clothes are already dry, it's creating more static to leave them in the heat.

2. Wet one of your dryer balls and add it back into the dryer for a few minutes. This adds moisture back to the clothes to reduce electricity.

3. Add a safety pin to your dryer balls! When the pin touches the metal of the dryer, the electrons are discharged into the drum, away from the clothes, and static is reduced.