The amount of laundry we're going through right now is a little insane. I forgot how often we were all going to have to change clothes with a newborn. Between spit up and the occasional leaky diaper, not only do I have to change the baby a few times a day, but the hubby and I need to change also. Plus, my other little guy is still getting the hang of having to wake up to go to the bathroom at night..... It's laundry city over here. At least with my homemade laundry detergent and laundry sauce, we're not spending a ton of money to get our clothes clean. For a really long time, I've been planning on making my own fabric softener also for more savings. Then I saw on Made From Pinterest these wool dryer balls. I had to try them, and I'm so glad that I did. The wool dryer balls are supposed to cut static cling and reduce drying time. Plus, they last for years. Can you imagine how much you can save on fabric softener, even the homemade kind?
To make these wool dryer balls, you have to use skeins of 100% wool - no blends that contain any other fiber. The wool also cannot be machine washable. Look on the packaging to make sure it says hand wash only. Michael's was having a sale on yarn AND THEN, I also had a 20 percent off your entire purchase coupon. Super score! I was able to get 2 balls out of each of these 210 yard skeins for a total of 6 balls.Start by wrapping the yarn around your fingers 15-20 times. Then wrap the yarn around itself the opposite way another 15-20 times. Pinch the ends together and wrap the yarn around itself again. Continue wrapping the yarn 15-20 times, alternating the direction until you have a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball. Tuck the end of the yarn under to secure it inside of the ball.
Once you have all of the yarn balls wrapped, take one and place it in the toe of a nylon knee high or stocking. Twist the stocking to make sure the ball is tightly secured and then tie off. Repeat with the rest of the dryer balls.
Once all of the dryer balls are secured in the nylon stocking, throw the stocking into the washing machine with hot water. Then put the whole stocking into the dryer on high heat twice. This is going to make the wool felt by melting the fibers together.
See how it kind of looks like felt? The melting of the fibers is what is going to keep the balls from unraveling in your dryer. With time, the wool balls will continue to felt and get slightly smaller.
So, I use all 6 balls in the dryer. They have consistently cut my regular drying time in half. What used to take 70 minutes to dry is down to 35. And our clothes have hardly any static cling. I love that right now I can use them completely unscented for my newborn. But I understand that you can use a few drops of essential oil on the balls if you want a little scent. I'm hooked. I wish I had made these sooner. But if you're not feeling too crafty, there are a ton of really cute wool dryer balls available on Etsy.
Hi, I’m Jordan – a work at home mom with 3 super fun little boys. I love entertaining guests and want to help you make entertaining easy!
What a brilliant idea, Jordan! We haven't used fabric softener since our little girl was little and maybe because we're in Seattle it's never given us static cling?
I will however, be on the lookout for 100% wool – definitely going to make these. Pinned!
Thanks Sarah – they're super easy to make 🙂
What a great idea Jordan…and great way to save too! Would love to invite you to link up with us at our party on my blog please 🙂 Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Kendra @ http://www.joyinourhome.com
Thanks Kendra! I'll link up for sure 🙂 Enjoy your week too.
You are matting the fibers not melting them
Hello cute lady! I’m loving it. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you so much for partying with us. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
You made the process of making wool dryer balls look so easy! What a great way to save money, protect health and protect the environment. Thank you so much for sharing the your green and natural DIY wool laundry balls with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing!
I will definitely have to give these a try! Thanks for linking up at A Little Bird Told Me Link Party!
What a neat idea! And I love the idea of putting a little oil on them. Just wanted to let you know that I'm featuring these at this week's link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2015/02/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-126.html
This has to be the coolest tip ever! Just pinned it to two boards — MUST keep track of it. Have you shared it at my Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop yet? If not, please do. My readers will LOVE it!
Do you have any idea how to refurbish old wool dryer balls? They look the same but recently the static has come back with a vengeance! I've had them for about 3 years. Love them because I have allergies and can't use fabric softener.
My mistake, I should have remembered that from my textile science class. Thanks, and updating now 🙂
Thanks Kimberly 🙂
Thanks Deborah 🙂
Thanks Allison 🙂
Thank you so much Jennifer!
Thanks Sinea, I'll make sure to link up 🙂
I'm sorry, but I really don't know. I haven't had that problem yet. I'll look into it though 🙂
Can you add a bobby pin inside them to help reduce static even further?
اعمال شركة تنظيف بالرياض متميزة داخل المنطقة التي تعمل بها لانها تعمل علي تقديم كل ما هو جديد في عالم النظافة لتقديم خدمة متميزة للعميل فتعامل مع شركة تنظيف فلل بالرياض ستلاقي فريق من العمال لدك مختصين في اعمال نظافة الفلل وهذا يحدث ايضا مع شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض
والتي تعمل علي نظافة الخزانات وتعقيها للقضاء علي الاوساخ والبكتريا الصغيرة التي توجد بها معكم ايضا شركة تنظيف مسابح بالرياض التي تعمل علي الصيانة والتنظيف بواسطة اثنين من الفنين المختصين في مجال المسابح واليك خدمة اساسية تلبي لك العيش في بيئة خالية من الحشرات الصغيرة من خلال قسم شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض الذي يعمل علي القضاء علي جميع الحشرات المنزلية كما يوجد قسم اخر في مجال مكافحة الحشرات وهو شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض التي تقدم خدمة الوقاية والقضاء علي هذه الافات بواسطة مبيدات طبيعية
From what I read, you can dip them in vinegar and it will help. Check Pinterest for details! 🙂