Learn how to make homemade dryer balls using only wool! No crochet hook is needed, and each of the wool balls comes together in just 10 minutes!
With the weather changing there are always those times of year that I start to consistently notice a problem with static electricity in our clothes.
I have made liquid fabric softener that I use sometimes in winter, but I noticed that I still need to use a dryer sheet with the clothes.
I had heard so much about dryer balls, so I decided to make my own.
These homemade dryer balls are easy to make and not only help with static, but they also help reduce dryer time, which saves on the energy bill.
Plus, they cost less than store-bought dryer sheets and are free from toxic chemicals, which I love. They are also a great natural alternative to plastic dryer balls.
Table of contents
- What Is The Best Yarn For Dryer Balls?
- What Is a Skein of Yarn?
- What You'll Need
- How to Make DIY Wool Dryer Balls
- How to Use Wool Dryer Balls?
- Can You Use Essential Oils?
- Helpful Tips
- How Do Dryer Balls Work? What Are the Benefits?
- How Do You Recharge Wool Dryer Balls?
- Common FAQs
- More Laundry Tips and Hacks:
What Is The Best Yarn For Dryer Balls?
For the best results you will want to use 100% pure wool roving yarn. Wool absorbs the water for a faster dry time, while roving keeps the little balls from falling apart during the drying process. A skein of yarn will yield about 3 balls.
You will want to start by wrapping the yarn around two fingers about ten times.
What Is a Skein of Yarn?
A skein of yarn is a loosely wound bundle or hank of yarn. Even though measurements can vary, they are typically oval or cylindrical in shape, and the yarn is wound in a continuous loop. This is the yarn I used.
What You'll Need
- Wool Roving Yarn - I gathered mine from Jo-Ann's but Amazon has it too.
- Pantyhose foot - I cut the leg out of an old pair of panty hose aka nylon stockings.
- Twine or string - this separates each ball of yarn in the stocking when you first put it in with a load of clothes.
- Essential Oils - optional, but gives the set of dryer balls a pleasant scent.
How to Make DIY Wool Dryer Balls
STEP 1: Take a couple of strands of yarn and cut them into small pieces that are a couple of inches long, then set these aside.
STEP 2: You will want to start by wrapping the yarn around your pointer and middle finger about ten times.
STEP 3: Then take a small piece of yarn (the one you cut earlier) to tie off the part wrapped around your fingers.
STEP 4: You can now use this to start your yarn balls (you will repeat this step for each of your wool dryer balls).
Wrap the yarn around the yarn core from every angle.
STEP 5: You will want to wrap about ten times in one direction to make a tight ball before you move to another direction. This takes about 10 minutes per ball. I just did it while we watched TV at night.
Once your ball is about the size of a tennis ball you can cut the yarn and pull the excess yarn through the ball so it doesn't come unwound.
STEP 6: You are now ready to felt the yarn balls. Add the first ball to the panty hose foot. Wrap a piece of string around the pantyhose to separate.
Then add the next ball and repeat with the string. Continue this process until all of the handmade wool dryer balls are in the panty hose.
PRO TIP: You want to make sure you don't use the yarn to separate the balls or else it will felt too.
STEP 7: Add the pantyhose with balls to the washing machine (with wet clothes) then into the dryer with a couple of loads of laundry until your wool starts to become solid balls. I found it took about 3 times for the wool fibers to become solid balls.
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls?
Once they have felted into solid balls you can now pull them out of the pantyhose and use them in the dryer.
Just toss about 4-6 balls in the dryer with a load in place of a dryer sheet.
Note: I don't recommend you use dryer balls when drying microfiber clothes. You can see how I care for microfiber cloths here.
Can You Use Essential Oils?
Most who choose to switch to natural wool dryer balls find that they miss the fresh scent of dryer sheets. If that's the case, add a couple of drops of essential oils to one of the dryer balls. Even those with sensitive skin can usually handle the oils.
Helpful Tips
- I like adding 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to mine.
- For a steam effect, spritz your DIY dryer balls with water before adding them to a load of laundry. This will help more with wrinkles.
- Some like to use old wool sweaters instead of inexpensive wool yarn. If that's the case, you would cut the old wool sweater or other items into strips and follow the same process. Just remember, you want 100% wool without other kinds of materials.
How Do Dryer Balls Work? What Are the Benefits?
Reducing Drying Time:
Dryer balls work by creating space between your clothes in the dryer. As they tumble around with your laundry, they help to separate the clothes and allow warm air to circulate more efficiently. This improved air circulation can lead to faster drying times. The movement of the dryer balls also helps to prevent clothes from clumping together, which can further reduce drying time.
Softening Fabric:
Dryer balls can also help soften clothes naturally. As they bounce around in the dryer, they physically break down the stiffness and soften fabrics. This is particularly useful if you're looking for an alternative to commercial fabric softeners that often contain chemicals.
Reducing Wrinkles and Static:
The constant movement of dryer balls can help prevent clothes from sticking together, which can reduce wrinkles and minimize static cling. While they may not completely eliminate static, they can help to some extent.
Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective:
Dryer balls are often considered a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option compared to disposable dryer sheets. They are reusable and can last for a long time, making them a more sustainable choice.
Chemical-Free:
Unlike some commercial fabric softeners and dryer sheets that contain chemicals and fragrances, dryer balls are a chemical-free option. This makes them a good choice for people with sensitivities or allergies. But as we mentioned, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for that nice smell.
How Do You Recharge Wool Dryer Balls?
If you notice that the dryers are not performing as well as they were, it's time to recharge.
Place the balls back into a stocking and wash on a gentle cycle with hot water. Toss them into the dryer on high heat until dry.
Remove from the stocking and reuse again for your next load of laundry!
Common FAQs
It depends on your preferences. Wool dryer balls are a natural, chemical-free option that can potentially reduce drying time and overall costs. Fabric softeners, while providing a softer feel, often contain chemicals. Consider your priorities, such as eco-friendliness, sensitivity to chemicals, and budget when choosing between them.
No, dryer balls typically do not damage fabric. In fact, they are designed to do the exact opposite, to be gentle on clothes. Dryer balls help improve air circulation, reduce wrinkles, and soften fabrics without causing harm.
No, dryer balls generally do not more lint. Technically they can help reduce lint by preventing clothes from clumping together, leading to better air circulation and less lint formation when drying.
If you are looking to save money or just use less disposable products this is a great way to do it. I love that my homemade wool dryer balls will last years instead of just a couple of loads. If you need some extra anti-static for your clothes you can try my lavender fabric softener. It's easy to make and uses vinegar so it's not full of chemicals.
Lydia Beiler says
I had no idea that dryer balls were this easy to make! I'm so fascinated.
Tabitha says
Oh my goodness, these are perfect! I would love to try making these. My mother-in-law just got some for Christmas and I was thinking about buying some. Maybe now I can make my own wool dryer balls. Thank you! -Tabitha