Toss those dryer sheets and make your own DIY Wool Dryer Balls!
Looking for another easy Laundry Money Saving Tip?
I absolute LOVE my DIY Wool Dryer Balls! They’re so simple to make, cut down drying time, and save the cost of dryer sheets in your laundry loads! They do such a great job of softening your clothes, reducing wrinkles, and fluffing up your laundry. Plus… I love that they’re all natural, too! They can also help save money on laundry with shorter drying times! Woohoo!
Make some for your Laundry room, or you could even give some as a fun Homemade Gift!
Now when it comes to static, I live in Phoenix where it’s very dry and we can get a lot of static. I find that I mostly get static when things are dried too long at too high of a heat. Now that I use dryer balls in every load, I dry on Low or Medium heat and for a shorter time. After making those changes, I haven’t really had to deal with static at all anymore.
Plus, I was so happy to ditch my dryer sheets completely for a simple natural alternative! Have you ever seen what types of bizarre things go into dryer sheets? Yikes!
Did you know you can even make your dryer balls scented, too? I add drops of Orange Essential Oil to the dryer balls, and they smell A-MAZING!
Are you ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need for this Wool Dryer Balls DIY project…
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DIY Wool Dryer Balls
Supplies Needed to Make Wool Dryer Balls:
- 1 large Skein 100% Natural Fisherman’s Wool Yarn {465 yards}
- 1 pair Panty Hose
- Optional: Crochet Hook
- Optional: Essential Oils for Scent
Fishermen’s Wool
Essential Oils
DIY Wool Dryer Ball Instructions:
- Begin by wrapping yarn around 2 fingers approx. 15 times.
- Then slip yarn off fingers, and wrap around the middle 15 times.
- Now it’s time to make a ball! Simply just wrap yarn around and around, gradually turning, until you form a baseball sized ball.
- When you’ve finished your ball, snugly tuck in the end of the yarn under several other pieces, so it’s no longer visible. {you can use your fingers or a crochet hook}
- Repeat process until you have 4 balls. {now is a good time to turn on a Fun Movie so you have something fun to do while rolling, or work on these during a Road Trip… if you’re in the passenger seat. 😉 }
- Once you have wrapped 4 balls, cut off one leg of panty hose, and slip balls into the panty hose, knotting between each ball.
- Wash in your laundry machine on the hottest setting, then dry in your dryer on the hottest setting, then repeat this process 3 more times. This will ‘felt’ the wool balls. You can toss them in with your loads of towels as you’re completing this step. {they’ll shrink down and become solid during this process}.
- Remove balls from panty hose, and they’re ready to use!
- Optional: After your Wool Dryer Balls have been felted, add 4 drops of your favorite Essential Oil scent to each ball, and they’re ready to use! I like to use Orange Essential Oil. Then, every 5 loads or so, I reapply 4 drops to each dryer ball to keep the scent fresh.
How to Use Your Dryer Balls:
- Simply toss all 4 balls into each dryer load with wet clothing. They’ll help fluff up your clothes AND cut down on drying time! If using Essential Oil, as the scent gradually wears off, simply add more drops as necessary.
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About Wool Dryer Balls…
Penny writes: “I’ve used these for years in my dryer instead of dryer sheets and love them.”
Diana writes: “They work! I put a few drops of essential oils on them and my laundry smells so fresh!”
Becca writes: “I love using laundry balls. They’re so eco-friendly and save money! I like to put essential oils on mine.”
Debbie writes: “I had issues with static in my clothes and read putting safety pins in them takes it away so I gave it a try! Happy to say, it worked!”
Patti writes: “They truly do work. I am doing my best to keep chemicals out of my laundry, especially eliminating dryer sheets. The yarn and some essential oils do the same work that the dryer sheets do, but without the harmful chemicals.”
Stephanie writes: “I’ve been using wool dryer balls for years, I’ll never go back to traditional dryer sheets!”
Now… don’t worry ~ if you don’t want to make your own Wool Dryer Balls, you can buy Wool Dryer Balls, too!
For some strange reason I just kind of find it therapeutic to roll yarn… but the pre-made Wool Dryer Balls work great, too!
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So have you tried making these DIY Wool Dryer Balls? Or do you have another fun Laundry Tip?
Leave a comment & share!
Keira says
Love using these in the dryer!
Heidi says
So do I, Keira… they’re such a game changer!
Christie says
This is so neat! I love this idea! Much better than the plastic kind which end up in landfills! Such a helpful idea.
Heidi says
I’m so glad you liked the tip, Christie! I’ve been using these almost every day for over 4 years now and still just LOVE them! I like how you can add essential oils for a little scent, too. 🙂
Hasin says
Heidi
You are such a star, I love reading your diy posts, they are so helpful and practical plus money saving! I’m off to get some wool to make these balls with my daughters as I don’t use any fabric conditioners due to the allergies. I love how you infuse them with orange oil and the others. Lavender will be the pick! Thanks
Heidi says
Aww… thank you, Hasin! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the DIY tips and tricks! Lavender would be such a lovely scent on these dryer balls, too! Have fun making yours with your daughters. 🙂
Liss says
Do you have to use wool yarn?
Great idea!
Heidi says
Hi Liss… yes, the wool will help to naturally wick moisture away from your clothing as it dries, which will also help to reduce the drying time. 🙂
Jes says
Sorry if this seems silly to ask, but do we wash the wool balls again after a certain period of time; Or just the first four and never again after that? Im really excited to make my own. Thank you kindly from Indiana 🙂
Heidi says
Hi Jes ~ that’s not a silly question at all. You’ll just wash them those first times and that’s it. Mine just live in my dryer and stay there in between laundry loads. I take them out when adding essential oils to freshen them up again, then toss them back in the dryer. Hope that helps!
Tiff Setzler says
Thank you so much for this post, I look forward to making these!
Heidi says
You’re very welcome, Tiff… have fun making your dryer balls. You’ll love them! 🙂
Janelle Cluff says
I have some old, blue wool yarn I found at Goodwill for $0.50. Does it need to be the natural/white color? I’m kind of afraid of the dye leeching out.
Heidi says
Hi Janelle ~ I prefer using the lighter tones for that same reason. It is always a possibility that some of the dye might transfer if the yarn isn’t colorfast. It shouldn’t be a problem once the balls are completed and felted, but if you’re concerned… I would probably just stick with the light or natural tones.
RM says
Hello! I’m finally ready to try making my own! Do I have to use panty hose when I wash, or can I tuck them into a bra/lingerie bag?
Barb says
These sound great. I have a lot of acrylic yarn. Do you think I could use that for the middle and then wrap the outside with wool yarn?
Heidi says
Hi Barb ~ I honestly have never tried that. If you make some like that and get it to work, let us know!
Cheryl Kohan says
I’ve got wool yarn that I’ve never used so I’m for sure going to try this! I think they’d make great little gifts, too.
Heidi says
Hi Cheryl ~ that sounds like a great idea! I’m sure people would love to receive these as gifts!
Gina McIntyre says
Hi! Could you share the oils that you have used for your dryer balls? I know about lavender & patchouli & purify. Would like some other options! Thank you!
Heidi says
Hi Gina ~ My favorite oil to use on my dryer balls is the Now Solutions Orange Essential Oil, which you can find here: https://amzn.to/2TGy9pf
I start by adding 4 drops to each dryer ball, the every 5 loads or so, I reapply 4 drops to each all to keep the scent fresh.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Renee says
I made wool balls once before and most of them unraveled. I did not felt them then. Could that be why?
Heidi says
Hi Renee ~ yes… the felting process is a critical step you’ll need to do when making your wool dryer balls. The felting process causes the fibers to connect together as one, and will prevent them from unraveling. Hope that helps!
Anita says
I have made these in the past using an old 100% wool sweater. I rolled the yarn as described here and boiled the woolen balls on the stove. Then I put them in the dryer with a load of towels. They have been working great for about 5 years. I love them! I usually refresh the essential oil (I use lavender and lemon) with 5 or 6 drops per ball about every 10th load of laundry.
Thanks for your great posts! I use many of your ideas every day!
Carri says
When you wash them, do you use detergent? That may be a silly question but I wasn’t sure.
Heidi says
Hi Carri ~ not a silly question at all! When you first wash them in the pantyhose for the felting process no detergent is needed, you’ll wash just in water. Hope that helps! 🙂
Jean says
Hi !! I would love to use them however I’m allergic to wool. My question is, because they become felted. Do you think it would still affect me? Thanks!!
Andrea says
Hi Jean. I worked in the wool industry for many years. You are likely not allergic to wool, but sensitive the coarse wool fibers. Most coats or mid priced wool garments use a coarse wool than the very high priced suit coats and sweaters. The reason wool felts is because of the design of the natural fibers. They have serrated scales on them that ‘lock’ together when washed in hot water. Using a felted ball in the dryer should not affect you. If you would like to learn more and see a microscopic wool fiber, check out this link! Have a wondeful day!
https://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/tag/wool/
Sarah says
Is “Roving” wool yarn ok to use? It states 100% pure new wool.
Andrea says
A money saving and washing machine saving tip for my household… I have a front load washer and for the first 6 months I just hated it because if I wasn’t around to get the laundry right out, it smelled mildewed. My sister in law finally suggested putting vinegar in the bleach tray every now and then. I did that and that helped with the smell of the clothes and the washer. Then I found online that vinegar is a great natural fabric softener and refresher. I use it now almost every load with a drop of essential oil- doTERRA purify is my favorite! I’m looking forward to making these dryer balls though, and using the oil in the dryer! Thanks.
Heidi says
That’s a great tip, Andrea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Vanette says
Hello! I’m excited about making these for Christmas gifts! Will they felt ok in a front load washer?
Heidi says
Hi Vanette ~ how fun… these would make great Christmas gifts! Yes… they’ll felt just fine when washing in a front loader. 🙂
Julie T. says
Does it need to be a full-on wash cycle? Can I put it in the shortest cycle (20 minutes in my Bosch front load washer)? Or, can I soak them in hot water in the sink and then use the spin cycle in my washer?
One other question. I presume that because they are felted, there is no pilling or lint on my other clothes, is that right?
Thanks for the post!
Julie
Heidi says
Hi Julie,
Correct… once it is felted there should be no lint on your other clothes. I’ve never had any problems with that. For the washing process, I just washed on the full hot cycle. Have fun making your dryer balls!
Carmen says
One more question. Do you wash four times, then dry four times, or do you wash/dry then wash/dry three more times?
Heidi says
Hi Carmen ~ you’ll wash in your laundry machine on the hottest setting, then dry in your dryer on the hottest setting, then repeat this process 3 more times. Hope that helps!
Amy says
2 questions – You use these instead of fabric softener? How long does 1 ball last? Thank you.
Heidi says
Hi Amy ~ yes… you can skip the fabric softener when using dryer balls. The balls can last for several years, too. 🙂
momof2 says
Do you take the panty hose off after you wash them the four times? Or does it stay on? Thanks for the clarification! And hi from Flagstaff!
Heidi says
Hi there Momof2 from Flagstaff!
I apologize for not making that more clear… yes ~ after washing, you’ll remove the dryer balls from the panty hose, discard the panty hose, and the dryer balls will be ready to use!
PS ~ Flagstaff is one of my absolute favorite areas to go hiking around in the woods! I think we went up there at least 5 times this summer. SO beautiful! 🙂
Amber says
I love mine!
Heidi says
I LOVE them, too… I’m totally hooked!
Teresa says
How much did it cost you to make these?
Heidi says
Hi Teresa ~ they can be made for as low as the price of one skein of yarn. So it cost me about $8.00 to make four. Or you can also buy pre-made ones here: http://amzn.to/2c5jYEw Hope that helps!
KellyRae says
How do the felted wool dryer balls affect static for the dryer loads? Will that still be a problem?
Heidi says
Hi KellyRae ~ I live in Phoenix where it’s very dry and we can get a lot of static. I find that I mostly get static when things are dried too long at too high of a heat. Now that I use the dryer balls in every load, I dry on medium heat and for a shorter time. After making those changes, I haven’t really had to deal with static anymore. It’s also saving money with shorter drying times. Hope that helps! 🙂
KellyRae says
Howdy neighbor! I live about 60 miles south of Phoenix 🙂 Static has been such a problem that I already dry on medium and pull the clothing out while still slightly damp so I was hoping the DIY felted wool balls would eliminate. Sounds like I’ll just have to try it.
Heidi says
Yay for neighbors! 🙂 Yes… just give it a try. You could always add 1/2 of a dryer sheet in as well if you still need to. You can check out my tip for cutting back on dryer sheets here:
https://thefrugalgirls.com/2010/01/save-money-on-laundry-cut-dryer-sheets-in-half.html
KellyRae says
Great tip, thanks Heidi! I’ve been using 1/2 sheets so I’ll try the DIY wool ball first without any dryer sheet and then maybe a 1/4 sheet.
Vickie says
I recently switched to dryer balls and I love them. I have always had a problem with static but since using these ball I haven’t had any. Can’t wait to make my own.
donna says
I’ve used dryer balls for years & love them. No gunky fabric softeners in my washer. They work great. Thanks for the tips.
Heidi says
Aren’t they the best, Donna? I’m completely hooked on mine now, and can’t believe I didn’t try them sooner! 😉
Carmen says
What’s the optional crochet hook for?
Heidi says
Hi Carmen,
Oops… thanks for catching that! When you’ve finished your ball, you can either use your fingers or a crochet hook to snugly tuck in the end of the yarn under several other pieces, so it’s no longer visible. Hope that helps! 😉