Here’s Why You Should Be Using Dryer Balls in Every Load of Laundry
If you hate grabbing your clothes from the dryer only to find they’re stuck together and full of static, it’s time to open your eyes to the best dryer balls. These handy balls are a simple laundry addition that produces load after load of softer, less-wrinkled and static-free washing.
In addition, the best wool dryer balls don’t just prevent your clothes from sticking together. These in-drier balls also decrease the amount of time it takes your clothes to dry, and, with the addition of a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil, they can leave your clothes smelling great, too. Wool dryer balls are, in fact, a great alternative to the somewhat environmentally problematic dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener.
Perhaps the best thing about dryer balls is that they’re so easy to use. You simply throw them in your dryer (never your washing machine) with your clothes and let them get to work. They function by creating additional space between your clothing, allowing hot air to pass through to dry items more quickly. This doesn’t just save you time, it saves you money, too, as most balls are reusable and can last for thousands of laundry loads, making them a great investment.
Check out the nine best wool dryer balls available and start enjoying softer, less-staticky and faster-drying laundry.
1. Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls
BEST OVERALL
The Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls have over 800 five-star Amazon reviews. Over 85% of users award them the best possible score, meaning you can trust you’re going to love them, too. Not only can these popular dryer balls be used to reduce drying time by up to 40%, they also reduce the amount of wrinkling and clinging as well as naturally softening your laundry. The Fair Trade and hypoallergenic balls are great for all load types and even come with a user manual filled with handy, eco-friendly tips. And, to cap everything off, the six balls sport a hilarious, penguin-like appearance and come in a drawstring bag for easy storage.
Courtesy of Amazon
2. Black Sheep Blankies Extra Large Dryer Balls
QUALITY PICK
These extra-large dryer balls will have you ditching dryer sheets right after your first load. Each ball is made from high-quality New Zealand Sheep Wool to keep an eco-friendly consistency with zero chemicals. Each ball is 100% organic and reusable for up to one thousand dryer cycles, making that already low price point seem even lower.
Courtesy of Etsy
3. Wooly Heroes Dryer Balls
BEST VARIETY
We’re going to have to keep it real here, the best dryer balls happen to be the cutest of dryer balls. Not only do these dryer balls from Wooly Heroes get the job done, but they do so adorably. Each of these balls is designed to dry your clothes faster or your money back. They are made from 100% New Zealand wool in ethical working conditions, so you can rest assure that your money will be in good hands.
Courtesy of Amazon
4. Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls
BEST SET
With over 2,500 five-star reviews from Amazon customers, these Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls are another popular and trustworthy option for your dryer ball needs. The balls are available in a six-ball set in a handy drawstring storage bag or a larger, 12-ball set for multi-load operations. Their reusable design means you’ll get years of wrinkle-, lint- and ironing-free laundry. The balls are made from premium New Zealand wool and are all-natural and chemical-free. They can also help reduce drying time by up to 25%.
Courtesy of Amazon
5. Smart Design Plastic Porcupine Dryer Balls
BEST PLASTIC
It’s hard to hate on something this gleeful. These porcupine dryer balls ditch the wool and head toward a plastic approach to fluff, lift and separate laundry in the dryer to dry your load 25% faster. The plastic used is entirely hypoallergenic which will soften your clothes without needing any fabric softener whatsoever. You can find these in a couple of gift guides all over Spy since we believe they make for some of the coolest gifts and best stocking stuffers.
Courtesy of Amazon
6. Dropps XL Wool Dryer Balls
LONGEST LASTING
Typically, the best dryer balls will last you around a thousand loads — which is a lot. But, maybe you’re looking for something with an even longer lifespan. Maybe two-thousand? Or three? What about a whopping 10,000 loads of laundry? With Dropps, that’s entirely possible. Yup, these extra-large 100% New Zealand wool dryer balls will last you a shocking 10,000 loads of laundry. You’ll likely never need to purchase another dryer ball again.
Courtesy of Dropps
7. Cactus Dryer Balls
BEST NOVELTY
These Cactus Dryer Balls will put a smile on your face every time you have to tend to the laundry. And, the pair’s fun, cactus-like design doesn’t just look amusing, the double arms and bobbles further add to their ability to soften your clothes and aerate them to quicken the drying process. The dryer buddies can be used in any kind of drying load.
Courtesy of Amazon
8. Blueland Dryer Ball Starter Set
SPY FAVORITE
We had the chance to review Blueland’s eco-friendly laundry tablets last year and instantly fell in love, so we can say with certainty that Blueland’s dryer balls are a solid option to consider for getting your clothes dry quickly. These balls are made with 100% New Zealand wool and not only lessen the dry time, but diminish wrinkles and static, too. Each ball is sustainably sourced and manufactured.
Courtesy of Blueland
9. RoaringAcresAlpacas Alpaca Dryer Balls
BEST HANDMADE
Every year, at the time when alpaca shearing is complete, the folks at RoaringAcresAlpacas sit down and produce The RoaringAcresAlpacas Alpaca Dryer Balls. These handmade balls are made from 100% genuine alpaca wool and work to reduce static and drying time for your laundry. A single batch of these balls will last for years and are a great choice for anyone looking to add a few drops of essential oil to their laundry for a more appealing fragrance. Furthermore, the balls are perfume and dye free and come with hundreds of positive reviews from happy customers.
Courtesy of Etsy
10. Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
MOST POPULAR
If you want the most popular item on the list, these Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls are the option you’re looking for. They boast over 24,000 reviews with over 15,000 of those being five-stars reviews. In short, these award-winning dryer balls have been tried and tested to the max. The balls are made from premium, New Zealand wool, and when added to your dryer, they give clothes a fluffier feel. They also help make clothing wrinkle and lint free. These dryer balls are also great for users with sensitive skin, and each ball can last over 1,000 washes, giving you up to four years of use from a single set.
Courtesy of Amazon
11. Parachute Wool Dryer Balls
FASTEST DRYING
By decreasing your drying time by up to 50%, the Parachute Wool Dryer Balls are an ideal choice for users in a rush. They are made from New Zealand wool and come in a handy, muslin bag for easy storage. Each of the 3.5-inch balls works to prevent static and wrinkles in your clothing. The premium wool used for production is also 100% natural, chemical-free, nontoxic, hypoallergenic and durable enough to last over 1,000 cycles.
Courtesy of Parachute
12. OxGord Wool Non-Toxic Reusable Dryer Balls
BEST HYPOALLERGENIC
The OxGord Wool Non-Toxic Reusable Dryer Balls offer a natural and eco-friendly way to soften your laundered clothing. The high-quality wool used in the balls can reduce drying time by up to 40% while leaving clothes fluffy and free from static. The material is also hypoallergenic and free from chemicals, which means these balls can be used with clothing for babies and those with skin sensitivities.
$10 OFF
Courtesy of Walmart
13. SplatAndCo Bed of Sloths Dryer Balls
BEST SPLURGE
If you want it all in your dryer ball choice, consider the SplatAndCo Bed of Sloths Dryer Balls. These extra-large dryer balls have been handcrafted from approximately 50 grams of durable, Canadian wool, which reduces pilling and shrinkage for up to 1,000 washes. They each feature a smiling sloth to keep you smiling as you tend to your chores. The set is supplied in a hand-stamped, Canada-made cotton bag for easy storage and is a great gift idea for friends and partners who take pride in their laundry.
Courtesy of Etsy
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