Dryer Balls instead of dryer sheets - worth it??

[Stitch And Friends]

I was at BBY yesterday and saw the set of 2 dryer balls you can buy to use instead of dryer sheets. It was 9.99 for the 2. The package indicates it's better because there are no chemicals and they help dry clothes faster. Has anyone used these? Do they work, and if so is it worth it to buy them? The package seemed to indicate you really need 4-6 for best results so I would be looking at $20-$30 total. Do you really need that many for a normal load of laundry or are 2 good enough? I like the idea of no more chemicals from dryer sheets, plus the claim that drying takes less time so that should help the gas/electric bill. TIA.

 

[ameraumi]

I have been wondering about these as well.

 

[wall*e2008]

We have been using the same 2 balls for over two years now. They do work well, but sometimes we do get a little static (think nylon socks sticking to pants) when we use them. Over all we are pleased with them and will keep using them. Since we have the front loader pair, I cannot tell if the clothes dry faster or not, since the pair is so much faster than our others and we started to use the balls very shortly after getting the pair.

 

[~disneydiva~]

I bought them after my Dmil recommended them. I love them. I could tell a difference in how fast my clothes dried and how soft they were. I'm still using dryer sheets though. Habit, I guess...

 

[semo233]

Try adding plain old vinegar to the rinse cycle or your softener tray. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar, but will be extra soft. Just 1/4 cup is all you need! It's cheap and not bad for the environment!

 

[Robmom]

I have them and I actually stopped using them because my clothes were coming out of the dryer with a lot of static. My mother uses them and says she likes them when she uses them with towels.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Try adding plain old vinegar to the rinse cycle or your softener tray. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar, but will be extra soft. Just 1/4 cup is all you need! It's cheap and not bad for the environment!

Do you use the white vinegar? I'm always looking for things that are better for the environment, my septic and my pocketbook. I've noticed that the downy I use gets gunked yp in the dispenser cup and it's a bugger to clean out. I just imagine what that is doing to our earth not breaking down and to my septic tank.
But your clothes really don't smell like vinegar? How about if you don't put them in the dryer? I air dry many articles of our clothing and wouldn't want them to smell like vinegar.

Does anyone, by any chance, have a recipe for laundry detergent?

 

[Chelley00]

We use the white vinegar as fabric softener, but I add a few drops of essential oils to the bottle and shake it up. The clothes don't smell like vinegar at all.

 

[worm761]

I make my own laundry detergent. really easy. 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda (sodium CARBONATE, NOT baking soda!) and 1/2 cup laundry booster (like oxyclean). I make powdered soap. Just put them in an air tight container and shake to mix. It works really well. I haven't had a stain set in since using it. I always wash in cold water. The only down side is there is no pretty smell. Just clean. There is a thread about laundry detergent that I started a while ago. Lots of recipes in there too.

also for your septic tank~ instead of buying expensive RidX just flush a packet of yeast down the toilet. Works the same and costs a fraction of the price.

 

[PrincessMama605]

I have the dryer balls too, they do reduce the drying time, especially for jeans and heavy stuff. I still use the sheets too, I like the clothes to come out really soft, and the balls don't get the clothes as soft as I want them.

I use white vinegar for getting stains out, I never thought of using it as a softener. I will have to try it!

 

[Trish Bessette]

I use the dryer balls and like them! They help fluff the towels better IMO. I do use dryer sheets plus fabric softener in my wash.

I'm a wash snob I love my clothes soft, fluffy and smelling good

 

[corie161]

I also use the dryer balls, I bought mine from an at home party company. I was told that if things are still coming out with static that they are drying too long. I haven't really tested that theory because I haven't had too much issue with static.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I have them too and I don't like them because of the static. You are supposed to use these balls IN PLACE OF dryer sheets. I use dryer sheets to eliminate the static. These dryer balls make ALL my clothes more static. Not fun!!

 

[englishteacha]

If you want clothes to dry faster, add a dry bath towel to the wet load in the dryer. It seriously cuts drying time! The dry towel takes in some of the moisture, I guess. Just make sure it's not a "linty" towel!

I've also used vinegar instead of fabric softener. I don't do it often though. I usually use no softener and only use dryer sheets in winter. I hang a lot of clothes outside during good weather, and save energy that way!

 

[semo233]

Do you use the white vinegar? I'm always looking for things that are better for the environment, my septic and my pocketbook. I've noticed that the downy I use gets gunked yp in the dispenser cup and it's a bugger to clean out. I just imagine what that is doing to our earth not breaking down and to my septic tank.
But your clothes really don't smell like vinegar? How about if you don't put them in the dryer? I air dry many articles of our clothing and wouldn't want them to smell like vinegar.

Does anyone, by any chance, have a recipe for laundry detergent?

Check out the stretching it thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1819347

There are hundreds of great ideas.

I make my own detergent with Fels Naptha Soap (or Castille soap), washing soda and borax. My family has not noticed any difference.
They also do not notice the difference with the vinegar. I buy the large (gallon?) container of white distilled vinegar and use it for lots of stuff. check out this website:
http://www.vinegartips.com/

I use vinegar to clean everything, except my granite countertops. I use it as a weed killer. I use it to disinfect and as a fabric softener. I use it as a rinse agent in my dishwasher instead of jetdry.

I tried making my own dishwashing detergent, but it didn't work well for me. Try it for yourself. So many products contain petroleum products, so it is better for the environment!

 

[semo233]

worm761:

also for your septic tank~ instead of buying expensive RidX just flush a packet of yeast down the toilet. Works the same and costs a fraction of the price.

REALLY? I've never heard of this!!!

 

[Imzadi]

I use a full cup of vinegar to remove odors. That much vinegar also makes my towels nice & soft. It breaks down any soapy residue left in the towels.

I actually like fabric sheets. I want my clothes to have a nice perfume scented smell. I've noticed that after I started using vinegar that the perfume scent would last about 2 weeks longer than without it. I hadn't realized how much odors really linger in clothing, so there is no room for a perfume scent.

 

[Patti_C]

I use them and have never had trouble with static. I haven't paid any attention to the drying time though. I also use vinegar for fabric softner. Vinegar for everything in this house.

 

[iamgrumpy]

I was at BBY yesterday and saw the set of 2 dryer balls you can buy to use instead of dryer sheets. It was 9.99 for the 2.


I bought a 2 pack at the Christmas Tree shop for 2.99....I love them

 

[semo233]

FYI: Someone posted on the "stretching things" thread that using fabric softener sheets can clog the filter in your dryer!! Scrub the filter every so often and it will help your dryer work more efficiently and safely