How to Make Wool Dryer Balls
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Looking for another way to justify your yarn habit? Wool Dryer Balls will save you time and money, and might just be the answer to your laundry woes! Let me tell you how and why you should make wool dryer balls.
How to Make Wool Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are a great, long-lasting, and chemical-free alternative to fabric softener. Dryer balls soften your clothes, they decrease drying time, are great for families with allergies, and they last for up to 1,000 loads of laundry! Simply leave them in the dryer at all times, wash them when they need freshening. You’ll want to use 3 – 6 of them, or as many as you can make with a couple of skeins of roving wool. They need to be about the size of a baseball, at least 3″ diameter.
To make wool dryer balls:
1. Purchase 100% wool. I highly recommend Paton’s Classic Roving in a light color such as “natural” (to avoid color bleeding).
2. Wind the roving yarn into balls. Keep wrapping until each ball reaches ~3″ across. You should be able to get two balls per skein.
3. Use your yarn needle to tuck the end down inside the ball as far as you can secure it.
EITHER:
Felt by hand – This has a better effect but takes longer…
4. Turn on the hot water – as warm as you can comfortably stand it. Suds up a few drops of liquid dish soap and massage into the wool to start the felting process. Work the fibers of the wool together by combining hot water and friction until the fibers fuse and individual strands of wool are no longer noticeable.
OR:
Felt by washing machine…
4. Insert wound balls one at a time into pantyhose or knee-highs. Tie a knot, insert the next ball, tie a knot etc. Throw in the washer to felt.
5. Toss felted dryer balls into the dryer and leave them in the dryer forever. That’s it!
What wool to use for dryer balls?
To make dryer balls, you want to use 100% wool like this. You do not want to use a superwash (aka washable wool) because it resists felting, a necessary component in the process.
Why dryer balls?
Your clothes dry faster. This saves on both time and energy output, which saves you money! The wool also acts as a static guard, eliminating the need for fabric softener or dryer sheets.
How do dryer balls work?
The wool balls bounce around, fluffing up the clothing making it easier for the air to circulate and therefore dry your clothes faster and more evenly. Because they are made of 100% wool, they are moisture resistant and will not mold.
Can wool dryer balls replace fabric softener?
YES! Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener. As the dryer balls roll around in your dryer, they soften your clothes. You can even add a drop or two of essential oils to give your clothes a light scent.
What are other things we replace with homemade?
I’ve been making homemade laundry detergent for years. This homemade recipe is so much cheaper than buying detergent at the store. While you’re at it, try this recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent, and homemade glass cleaner too! Instead of buying overpriced Swiffer solution, make your own! All of these recipes are ridiculously easy and most can be made with items you already have at home.
How to Make Your Own Homemade Swiffer Cleaning Solution
Homemade Butter (and Buttermilk!) Using a Kitchen Mixer
