Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets for a non-toxic way to soften clothes, reduce static, and make your clothes dry faster.
If you’ve landed here, odds are that you’re looking for a way to save money on laundry. Or maybe, you’re looking to reduce the number of toxins you and your family come in contact with on a daily basis. Either way, there is a healthier alternative to dryer sheets: wool dryer balls. But first, let’s talk about why it’s important to ditch the dryer sheets.
Why Should I Stop Using Dryer Sheets?
Quats
“Quats,” or Quaternary ammonium compounds, make clothes feel soft and wearable right out of the wash. The problem with these chemicals is that they’re known to trigger asthma. Not only that, but they may be toxic to our reproductive systems.
Fragrance
There are more than 3,000 “fragrance” ingredients in products marketed to consumers, and there’s no way to know for sure which ones are in our every day products. These ingredients are considered “proprietary” information and so they’re usually lumped under one ingredient name: fragrance.
Phthalates
The hard to pronounce phthalates are a group of chemicals that help artificial fragrances last longer. These chemicals can interfere with our endocrine system, and are among the dirty dozen chemicals to avoid, according to the EWG.
Built-Up Residues
Both dryer sheets and fabric softeners coat clothes with several chemical substances that, over time, can build up. This build up will cause a funny odor (especially on towels) and can be difficult to clean.
Why Switch to Wool Dryer Balls?
Naturally Soften Clothes
The natural wool helps reduce static and soften your clothes. I like these ethically and sustainably made wool dryer balls that are made in Nepal. The women employed by these farms get paid a fair wage.
Reduce Energy Costs
Wool dryer balls naturally separate clothes in the dryer, so it increases air flow between the clothes. Increased air flow = faster drying. The less your dryer needs to run, the less you pay on your electric bills.
Environmentally Friendly
The polyester dryer sheets are not reusable, and they only add to the waste in landfills. Wool dryer balls last for over 1,000 loads of laundry and are biodegradable!
How to Use Wool Dryer Balls
Using wool dryer balls is easy! I store them in my dryer so I don’t forget to add them with each load. For small loads, use 3-4 wool balls. For large loads, use 5-6 wool balls. That’s really all there is to it!
Miss the scents?
Add a few drops of essential oils to your wool dryer balls for an easy, natural way to add a little bit of fragrance without toxic chemicals. I like to add 2-3 drops of lavender, peppermint or orange sweet essential oils.
Safe Essential Oils on Amazon
Lingering Static?
The best practice to avoid static is to avoid over-drying. The longer your dry clothes are in a running dryer, the higher the odds of getting static. If you’re dealing with difficult fabrics, try adding a safety pin to wool dryer balls. This helps absorb some of the static in your laundry without resorting to dryer sheets.
When Will You Switch to Wool Dryer Balls?
Other Posts You May Like:
- DIY Cleaning Supplies – the ultimate list of non-toxic supplies to start creating DIY cleaning solutions in your home.
- A Guide to Safer Laundry Detergents – safer laundry detergent alternatives you can get at your grocery store and on Amazon!
- The Secret to Fresh Smelling Towels – if your towels get a musty smell in the closet, it’s due to fabric softener. Here’s how to stop towels from smelling bad, and how to make towels soft and fluffy again!
- How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes – a tutorial on how to get out oil stains after they’ve been washed + dried (this is not non-toxic but it’s worked for thousands of people!)
Dana says
What about the plastic dryer balls? Are they as beneficial? Do they have any toxicities from the heat?