Care Tips to Extend the Life and Performance of Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls naturally soften your clothes, saving time, money, and the environmental damage caused by fabric softener and dryer sheets. This article explains how to clean and care for your wool dryer balls to keep them performing their best for the longest time.

The Magic of Wool Dryer Balls -- If You Know, You Know

Without exaggeration, we can confidently say Heritage Park Wool Dryer Balls are a game-changer for laundry. These unassuming organic wool balls are a great way to say goodbye forever to expensive and potentially damaging liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets. But that’s only the beginning of why wool dryer balls are a must-have for laundry day.

• Cost Effective: A set of wool dryer balls lasts around 1,000 washes (about two years in the average household). 
• Environmentally Friendly: Heritage Park felted wool dryer balls are made from 100% New Zealand wool. They are biodegradable (as opposed to a single-use dryer sheet that sits in landfills for years.) Old wool dryer balls can be disposed of in a compost pile.
• Fabric and Machine Friendly: Fabric softeners and dryer sheets coat your clothing (and machines) with a waxy film. This coating actually makes towels look dingy and reduces their absorbency. Heritage Park wool dryer balls are chemical-free.
•  Speed Dry Time: Wool dryer balls absorb moisture and lift and separate laundry as they bounce around, both of which reduce drying time.
• Natural Softness and Static Prevention: These natural wool dryer balls soften fabric, reduce static cling, and even help prevent wrinkles (all without the use of chemicals).
• Non-Irritating: Heritage Park pure wool dryer balls are made without any fragrance that can irritate skin or trigger allergies.

Save money and time, protect the environment, and avoid potential allergy triggers…all while doing your laundry? Yes, please!

Washing Your Wool Dryer Balls: Key to Long-term Performance

 

You can find dryer balls made out of a variety of materials, including plastic. But wool dryer balls are by far the most effective due to the moisture wicking and insulating properties of wool fiber. And just like your favorite wool yarn blanket or sweater, your wool dryer balls require regular cleaning to look and perform their best. Despite their durability, the repetitive drying cycles can leave your dryer balls a bit dried out (remember, your dryer is HOT!). This makes them a bit less absorbent. Your dryer balls will also collect lint and particles as they work. A good wash will serve a dual purposes: cleaning the dryer balls and rehydrating them for maximum absorbency. Read on to learn how to wash and refresh wool dryer balls.

How Often Should You Wash Your Wool Dryer Balls?

Dryer balls are designed to last for about 1,000 washes, which translates to roughly two years in a typical household. A good guide is to wash them every three months, or any time they begin to look dingy or develop a noticeable buildup.

The Tools You Will Need to Clean Dryer Balls

• A razor or sweater shaver 
• Gentle, effective laundry detergent made for washing wool like Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent
• Mesh laundry bags
• A washing machine
• White vinegar (optional)
• Baking soda (optional)
• Essential oils if desired

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Wool Dryer Balls

Follow these steps for cleaning your wool dryer balls in the washing machine:

1.  Remove excess lint. Use a sweater shaver and use a light touch. 
2. Pick the right detergent. Use a gentle detergent made for washing wool, like Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent. This is a concentrated, pH-neutral formula that cleans wool without the use of enzymes, which can degrade natural fibers like wool and silk.
3.  Place the dryer balls inside a mesh bag. This will shield them from damage in the.
4. Use hot water and a gentle cycle. After the wash, gently squeeze the clean wool dryer balls to remove any excess water.
5. Tumble dry on high heat until they are dry.

Pro Tips for Using and Caring for Dryer Balls

 

 

Use Two Sets of Laundry Balls: Consider having two sets of dryer balls on rotation -- one for light-colored laundry and another for dark-colored laundry. Dryer balls have a tendency to attract and trap lint. Using separate wool ball sets will help maintain the vibrancy of your clothes.

Combat Odors: If your dryer balls pick up unpleasant smells (for example, by being left overnight in the clothes dryer with wet laundry), give them a refreshing soak in a 50/50 rinse of water and vinegar before washing them in the machine. Alternatively, run them through a wash cycle with hot water and a cup of white distilled vinegar, followed by another wash cycle with a half-cup of baking soda to neutralize odors.

Embrace Essential Oils: You can naturally scent your laundry by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a wool dryer ball. A great time to do this is while they are still wet after washing before you transfer to the dryer. Reapply essential oils as needed.

By following these simple yet effective tips, you can prolong the life of your wool dryer balls and enjoy softer, fresher laundry with every cycle.