If you’ve been looking for a way of making your clothes feel softer, cozier, and free of wrinkles and static straight out of the dryer, then dryer balls might be for you. Plenty of people prefer not to use fabric softener, and dryer sheets aren’t great for the environment. But, dryer balls are reusable and chemical-free, and they will keep your clothes soft and static-free with almost no effort at all!
Dryer balls are available from a variety of stores in several shapes and sizes. Some styles are made from plastic and look like something from outer space, and others are made from felted wool. You can even pick up a pack of tennis balls, which can help speed up drying and help keep your clothes free of wrinkles. But, you can achieve soft, wrinkle-free clothes straight from the dryer without spending a dime by making your own reusable dryer balls!
How to Make Homemade Dryer Balls
Dryer balls made from natural wool are a fantastic way to soften your clothes and avoid chemical residue and unnatural fragrances, as well as protecting sensitive skin from irritation. Wool balls force clothes apart during the drying process, quickening your cycle and preventing the build-up of static electricity. Making your own wool dryer balls is cheap and straightforward. You don’t need to be super-crafty, and you can even recycle old wool clothes if you are feeling particularly eco-conscious!
What You Will Need
You will need a few specific tools to create durable, reusable wool dryer balls. You’ll need a pair of sharp scissors, a large needle or crochet hook, your clothes dryer, and a stovetop.
In terms of materials, you can craft your balls from wool yarn or wool strips cut from old, unwanted clothes. You’ll need some cotton string, an old sock or pantyhose, and hot water in a cooking pot.
Instructions
Start off by preparing all your materials. If you are recycling old wool garments, you’ll need to cut them into thin strips.
Begin to construct a ball by winding your yarn or wool ribbons around your fingers, then changing directions and continuing to roll everything up as if you were winding up a ball of string. Keep the ball nice and tight, and keep going until you have a ball of wool roughly the size of a tennis ball. Use your needle or hook to slip the end of the ball underneath a few layers of wool, and pull tight to secure it.
Make a few balls using this technique, then fill your old sock or pantyhose with them, tying off the ‘bag’ with cotton thread at each ball to keep them separate.
Soak your sock full of balls in boiling water, then leave them in the pot until the water is cool. The balls will shrink or ‘felt’.
Squeeze out any excess water, then put your balls in the dryer until they are completely dry.
Finish the balls off by repeating this process until you have a solid wool ball, ready to pop in the dryer with the rest of your clothes!
If you’re more interested in letting the professionals wash, dry and fold your clothes, don’t hesitate to contact WaveMAX Laundry! We’re always happy to help our customers get the most out of their laundry experience.
