Despite being a much maligned household chore, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with a finished laundry load. But even those with a long-established laundry routine would benefit from giving their regimen a bit of an upgrade, courtesy of a set of wool dryer balls. They’re more efficient and better for the environment than dryer sheets, and, best of all, they’re incredibly affordable.
Made with high-quality New Zealand wool, these large felted balls replace both fabric softener and dryer sheets, making them a fabulous cost-saving alternative. They’ve even been known to speed up drying time, since they lift and separate the laundry as they pummel it in the dryer, making it possible for the hot air to circulate more efficiently. As a result, it can also help save on energy costs while leaving clothes fluffy, soft and static-free. According to one reviewer, they can even help to reduce the amount of animal fur that gets stuck to your clothing.
It can be hard to break the dryer sheet habit, but according to previous coverage at HuffPost, they’re actually pretty harmful to the environment and your clothes, and less effective than wool dryer balls.
Sumit Mandal, an Oklahoma State University assistant professor who specializes in textile science, previously explained that the chemical coating can affect the properties of certain fabrics. It can make towels less absorbent, make your athletic gear less moisture-wicking and reduce the flame resistance of some children’s sleepwear. He also explained that the film builds up in your dryer, which can affect the appliance’s effectiveness over time.
