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Did you know that the chemicals in dryer sheets are some of the most toxic chemicals in your home? It’s unfortunate but true, and luckily, there are safer alternatives. The best wool dryer balls are a safe, non-toxic alternative to dryer sheets.
Wool dryer balls can soften your clothes, just like dryer sheets, and the best wool dryer balls can even speed up the drying process. They’re also a more eco-friendly option because you can reuse dryer balls for hundreds of loads.
So, what are the best wool dryer balls, and should you switch?
Switching to Wool Dryer Balls
Whenever you put a load of laundry in the dryer, you probably include a dryer sheet. Well, wool dryer balls an excellent alternative to dryer sheets.
The best wool dryer balls are durable, so you can use them for many cycles before you have to replace them. Since you have to use a new dryer sheet each time, the best wool dryer balls can cut down on waste and cost.
There are tons of benefits that you can reap by using the best wool dryer balls. However, you have to know how to use them correctly.
What are wool dryer balls?
A wool dryer ball is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a wool ball that you can throw in the dryer with your laundry. The best wool dryer balls are made of natural fibers and can help dry your clothes more quickly.
Now, there are other types of dryer balls, usually plastic or rubber. However, wool dryer balls are softer and great if you want something more natural.
Wool dryer balls also tend to be quieter than plastic or rubber dryer balls.
What do they do?
When you dry a load of laundry, the dryer rotates, and your clothes tumble around. However, the extra weight of wet clothes can make them stick together and keep them from drying.
If you include a few of the best wool dryer balls in with your load, the balls can keep your clothes from sticking and allow more hot air between the fabric.
The faster your clothes dry, the less energy you use, so the best wool dryer balls can lower your energy bill.
Finally, wool dryer balls usually don’t have the chemicals or perfumes you find in dryer sheets. While a refreshing scent can be nice, certain chemicals and perfumes can be irritating to some people.
What are the benefits?
The two biggest benefits to using wool dryer balls are that they’re eco-friendly and they can save you money. With dryer balls, you don’t have to replace them after every load, like dryer sheets.
You can use dryer balls for up to 1,000 loads. However, you should replace them earlier than that if they look worn down.
Wool dryer balls can also save you some cash. Since you don’t have to buy dryer sheets all of the time, you can cut that expense out of your budget. But the energy efficiency of dryer balls means you can lower your energy bill.
When comparing wool dryer balls with plastic ones, the wool dryer balls don’t make as much noise. We all know that the dryer can already be loud, so the last thing you want is to add the sound of balls bouncing around.
What are the downsides?
Unfortunately, even the best wool dryer balls aren’t perfect. While there are many great things about wool dryer balls, there are some downsides to consider.
The first downside is that you can’t use them with large loads of laundry. Since wool dryer balls separate your clothes to help them dry faster, they just don’t work when the dryer is full.
Second, using wool dryer balls doesn’t always prevent your clothes from getting static cling. To solve that problem, you need to shorten the drying period. So if you have a timed dryer, you’ll have to keep a watchful eye over it.
Another downside to using wool dryer balls is that most of them are white and can cause white lint to transfer to your clothes. Unless you want to look like it snowed, you can find some dark wool dryer balls. Lint may still transfer, but it won’t be as noticeable.
Who should make the switch?
While wool dryer balls are fantastic for some people, they aren’t for everyone. Certain people should use wool dryer balls, but others probably won’t see a difference.
You should use the best wool dryer balls if your clothes never seem to thoroughly dry. Dryer balls can speed up the drying process, which means dryer clothes.
On the other hand, you should avoid dryer balls if you only ever do full loads of laundry. If you wait until you have no clean clothes before you do your laundry, the dryer is going to be too full for the dryer balls to have any effect.
If you’re on a tight budget, switching to wool dryer balls might be your best option. You can reuse them up to 1,000 times. However, you have to replace dryer sheets every time.
You should avoid dryer balls if you like the added scent of dryer sheets. While you can add essential oils to dryer balls, it isn’t always safe to do so, because oils can be flammable.
There are many reasons to switch to wool dryer balls, but the biggest thing to consider is whether you want to or not. If you’re at all interested in trying the best wool dryer balls, do it! You can always switch back to dryer sheets if you aren’t happy.
Where can you buy them?
You can buy the best wool dryer balls at home department stores like Bed Bath & Beyond or Target. However, online retailers, like Amazon, also carry some of the best wool dryer balls.
The Quest to Save
Whether you want to save some money or the environment, you need to use the best wool dryer balls. But there is a surprising amount of wool dryer balls to choose from.
To determine which set of dryer balls is the best, we looked at a few things. First, we looked at specs, including size and any material differences.
Next, we considered how many balls you get. Most sets have six dryer balls, but not all of them. We wanted to look at the number of balls to understand the overall value.
Finally, we looked at reviews from customers and other websites. We wanted to know how these wool dryer balls actually worked in practice. And the best way to do that was to read what other people had to say about them.
Product Comparison Table
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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Wool Dryer Balls by Smart Sheep 6-Pack, XL Premium Reusable Natural… | Buy on Amazon |
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Wool Dryer Balls Organic XL 6-Pack by Ecoigy, Reusable Natural Fabric… | Buy on Amazon |
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Wool Dryer Balls 2.8″ XL-6 Pack,Natural Fabric Softener,Handmade… | Buy on Amazon |
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Housoft Wool Dryer Balls – XL, 6-Pack, 3-Color Sheep, Anti Static… | Buy on Amazon |
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Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls – 6 Pack – 100% Handmade,… | Buy on Amazon |
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12-Pack Kevenz XL Premium Australian Wool Dryer Balls,Reusable Organic… | Buy on Amazon |
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Wool Dryer Balls XL Made of 100% Premium, Organic Wool, Handmade,… | Buy on Amazon |
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Kitchow Organic Dark Wool Dryer Balls, 8-Pack — Made for Drying… | Buy on Amazon |
The Best Wool Dryer Balls
If you want to switch to a more eco-friendly way of drying your laundry, the best wool dryer balls are your next best friend. While there are tons of options to choose from, we found a few sets of wool dryer balls that we think stand out from the crowd.
Here are our top picks for the best wool dryer balls.
Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
Wool Dryer Balls by Smart Sheep 6-Pack, XL Premium Reusable Natural…
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Set of 6 Original Smart Sheep 100% Premium New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls (no fillers, we strive to stay…
- AS SEEN IN / AWARD-WINNING: Yahoo Lifestyle, Real Simple Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Slate, Bustle, and ABC News….
- SOFTENS LAUNDRY NATURALLY: No Chemicals or Synthetics Used (great for those with sensitive skin & babies)
First up are the Wool Dryer Balls from Smart Sheep. These dryer balls come in a set of six, and each is larger than a tennis ball.
The dryer balls are all 100 percent New Zealand wool, and they don’t contain any fillers, chemicals, or synthetics. These dryer balls soften your laundry, and they’re perfect for anyone with sensitive skin.
You can use three balls for a small or medium load, and you can use five or six for a large load. The handmade dryer balls last for more than 1,000 loads, and they’re a petroleum-free alternative to plastic dryer balls.
These dryer balls are hypoallergenic, and they can even reduce static cling. They can also keep your clothes from wrinkling, and they can get rid of lint and pet hair.
Amazon customers give the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. These dryer balls are also Amazon’s Choice for a dryer sheet alternative.
Ecoigy Wool Dryer Balls
Wool Dryer Balls Organic XL 6-Pack by Ecoigy, Reusable Natural Fabric…
- 🐑 STOP BUYING DRYER SHEETS – Set of 6 Original Ecoigy Premium 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls (70mm size). Soften…
- 🌎 ALL NATURAL AND ORGANIC: Eco-Friendly., fragrance free and hypoallergenic. Perfect for babies and sensitive skin….
- SAVE TIME & ENERGY: Speeds up drying time by 20%-40%, saving electricity and dryer wear & tear. Leaves laundry NATURALLY…
The Ecoigy Wool Dryer Balls come as a set of six dryer balls. They’re all 100 percent New Zealand wool, and each is about 2.75 inches big.
These dryer balls can soften your clothes without the need for harmful chemicals that you might find in fabric softeners. They’re eco-friendly, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. If you have sensitive skin, these dryer balls are great.
The Ecoigy dryer balls can reduce drying times by 20 to 40 percent, and they can reduce wrinkles, static cling, and lint. They come in a reusable cotton bag, so they’re an excellent option if you’re trying to reduce your waste.
The average customer rating for these dryer balls is 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Neoikos Wool Dryer Balls
Wool Dryer Balls 2.8″ XL-6 Pack,Natural Fabric Softener,Handmade…
- Natural Material – 100% New Zealand wool. Natural Fabric Softener, Non-toxic, Fragrance-Free & Chemical-Free,…
- Shorten Drying Time – Reduce the drying time by 20% – 40%. Last over 1000+ loads of laundry. Reusable and save time.
- Soften Laundry Naturally – Reduce wrinkles and pet hair on the clothes, static cling, prevent twisting & tangling, make…
Our next pick for the best wool dryer balls comes from Neoikos. These Wool Dryer Balls use 100 percent pure New Zealand wool.
The dryer balls function as a natural fabric softener, and they’re non-toxic. They don’t contain chemicals or fragrances, and they’re also hypoallergenic.
These dryer balls can reduce drying time by 20 to 40 percent, and you can use them for around 1,000 loads. You can use the dryer balls if you have sensitive skin since they won’t irritate you.
The dryer balls keep your clothes from wrinkling or getting tangled up in the dryer. They also get rid of pet hair and static cling.
On Amazon, customers rate these dryer balls 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Housoft Wool Dryer Balls
Housoft Wool Dryer Balls – XL, 6-Pack, 3-Color Sheep, Anti Static…
- 👕STATIC REDUCER & SHORTENS DRYING TIME: These ALL NATURAL comic SHEEP design, 3 colored wool dryer balls reduce…
- 👖HYPOALLERGENIC & BABY SAFE: Fabricated with 100% New Zealand wool! No fillers, foreign substances, chemicals or…
- 👚CLOTHE AND ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY: Our reusable 3 colored balls for dryer are ECO-FRIENDLY, non-toxic, CHEMICAL FREE…
Ratings – 4.7 out of 5 stars
The Wool Dryer Balls from Housoft are yet another great option for most people. A set includes six dryer balls that are all 100 percent New Zealand wool.
These dryer balls don’t contain chemicals, synthetics, or other fillers. They’re safe for all skin types, and they’re also safe for drying baby clothes.
The unscented dryer balls are reusable and can even make your clothes last longer.
They’re non-toxic and a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets and plastic dryer balls.
The average rating for the dryer balls is 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls
Friendsheep Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls – 6 Pack – 100% Handmade,…
- PERFECT FOR BABIES AND SENSITIVE SKIN. Made of 100% pure New Zealand wool (no cheap fillers!!), organic, chemical free,…
- SAVE TIME, MONEY, AND ENERGY! Eco-friendly and reusable for 1000+ loads each ball. Leaves your laundry NATURALLY SOFT,…
- HAND MADE IN NEPAL and NOT IN CHINA (like most other brands!). Carefully needle felted by hand in ethical working…
Friendsheep’s Organic Eco Wool Dryer Balls are yet another eco-friendly choice for drying your laundry. The dryer balls come in a set of six, and they’re all 100 percent pure New Zealand wool.
These dryer balls are organic and free of chemicals and fragrances. They’re hypoallergenic, so a great option for people with sensitive skin.
The dryer balls are handmade, and they aren’t all white like some other dryer balls. While they’re mostly white, each ball has an image of a sheep in black. These dryer balls are perfect for any load of laundry, white or dark.
Amazon customers give these dryer balls an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Kevenz XL Wool Dryer Balls
Ratings – 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you already know you’re a fan of dryer balls and want to stock up, consider the Kevenz XL Wool Dryer Balls. They come with an incredible 12 dryer balls, so you don’t have to replace them any time soon.
These dryer balls are 100 percent wool, though it’s unclear if the wool is from New Zealand or Australia. Each of the white dryer balls is 2.75 inches in diameter, and each weighs about 1.5 ounces.
The dryer balls are organic and reusable. They can shorten drying time, soften your laundry, and reduce both wrinkles and static cling. There are no chemicals or fillers.
The average customer rating for these dryer balls is 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Procizion Wool Dryer Balls
Wool Dryer Balls XL Made of 100% Premium, Organic Wool, Handmade,…
- NATURALLY SOFTEN laundry with no cost or synthetic chemicals from fabric softener or dryer sheets. Enjoy soft, fluffy,…
- REDUCES DRYING TIME BY 40% Extra-Large (9 in. circumference) handmade, eco-friendly, saves energy. Use 3 balls for…
- HYPOALLERGENIC No chemicals or synthetics used (great for those with sensitive skin & babies) from New Zealand. A…
If you want to give wool dryer balls a shot but don’t want to commit to a full set, you might like the Procizion Wool Dryer Balls. These come in a set of just three dryer balls, and you can buy another three if you decide you want a full set.
You can use these dryer balls for up to 1,500 loads, and they can reduce drying time by up to 40 percent. These dryer balls are 100 percent premium wool, and they don’t contain chemicals or synthetics.
They’re great for softening your laundry, and they’re perfect for people with sensitive skin.
Each of the balls has a circumference of nine inches, and three of them are perfect for medium loads.
On Amazon, the average customer rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Kitchow Dark Wool Dryer Balls
Kitchow Organic Dark Wool Dryer Balls, 8-Pack — Made for Drying…
- FOR DRYING DARKS/COLORS: These natural dark wool dryer balls help eliminate static from your dark and colored clothing…
- PURE, NATURAL SCENT: Your clothes will smell amazingly fresh and clean thanks to our unscented, 100% pure wool dryer…
- ECOFRIENDLY CHOICE: Unlike dryer sheets that continually need to be thrown away after every use, our reusable wool…
One of the downsides to wool dryer balls is that white lint can transfer to your dark clothes. So if you do a lot of dark load laundry, consider the Kitchow Dark Wool Dryer Balls.
These dryer balls are grey rather than white, which makes them a great alternative to white dryer balls. They come in a pack of eight 100 percent pure wool balls. These dryer balls don’t have any scent, so they’re safe for anyone.
They’re also great for pet owners because they get rid of pet hair on your clothes.
The average customer rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Another Load
If you’ve been dying to try the best wool dryer balls, we say go for it. All of the dryer balls on our list are fantastic, and they all have their own quirks. The best wool dryer balls are the ones that you will use regularly.
Have you tried wool dryer balls? What did you think of them? Leave your thoughts on the best wool dryer balls in the comments!
Last update on 2021-05-12 at 13:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API