Dryer balls

[jakoky]

Now, i love my fabric softener, i love the smell and what it does to my clothes but have a question, ...this really isnt a budget question, but more of a health question...i keep hearing how bad fabric softener is for us (liquid and sheets) so have been looking into the dryer balls...I am wondering if anyone here has used them, and what they think???

 

[balletmom97]

We have used dryer balls for quite awhile and I really like them. You can also use clean tennis balls, but those seem much louder in the dryer.

I think that they do help clothes dry faster.

I don't like the "slick" feeling that comes from fabric softener and my husband doesn't like the smell, so this is perfect for us.

 

[babytrees]

I absolutely love mine....so does my ferret.
They reduce the dryer time and the static cling.

 

[jakoky]

Can i ask if you have the "regular" ones that have pvc in them...that is all i can buy here, and just curious if that is what others are using and if they are ok....thanks for the quick replies....

 

[tinkermom23]

We love our dryer balls. I got them at a Norwex party a few months ago and they work!
However, one does go missing now and then... I think it's where ever that other matching sock is... but unlike the socks.. they dryer ball does turn up eventually!

 

[balletmom97]

We love our dryer balls. I got them at a Norwex party a few months ago and they work!
However, one does go missing now and then... I think it's where ever that other matching sock is... but unlike the socks.. they dryer ball does turn up eventually!

HA! That is something I failed to mention...we usually find the missing one either in the leg of my DD's skinny jeans or a sweatshirt sleeve!

 

[disneychrista]

I didn't like them, found that they didn't really work. We had a total of 4 balls that we used.

 

[Evi]

I use dryer balls and I love them. Nellies sells pvc free dryer balls and they also sell some kind of a stick you can put in them for a fabric softer I don't use it because they contain soy (the sticks that is) and I'm allergic to soy.

I would give them a try you may be happy without fabric softner.

 

[BurnsideMommy]

We got some from Bed Bath & Beyond. I really liked them - although searching for them caught up in clothes was not fun.

Anyways last week one of mine burst?! The tips/spikes are all grey/blackish, and one just exploded in half?! My dryer is always on the normal setting so not like it's set to high heat. I don't have the receipt so I'm not sure what to do...

I actually want another set, but not if they're going to do this.

 

[akcire]

I too love my dryer balls. We have a couple of sets, but for some reason 3 seems to work best in our dryer?

I found them when I was trying to be more environmentally friendly, the big thing with dryer sheets (in addition to the chemicals) is that they cannot be recycled in any way. A friend of mine who is the queen of recycling even told me that the cardboard box they come in should not even be recycled due to the chemicals--I defer to her on all recycling questions.

 

[disneymarie]

I have not tried it yet, but was told about adding white vinegar.

 

[smiller]

I've been thinking about getting some dryer balls, too - thanks for starting this thread!

What kinds/brands has everyone bought? I'd like to get a good-for-the-earth/organic brand if possible!

 

[kimntrent]

I love mine. I have 4 of them and I have the as seen on tv kind I got on drugstore.com. I got them on there because of the cash back.

 

[squirrel]

I have a cheep pair from the dollar store.

They worked well for a while, they still work-I think but some of the little nubs have fallen off.

 

[Swimalie]

I had the 4 pack of blue with the numbs on them. I used them for about 8 to 12 months and I didn't like them. I also don't like dryer sheets for the smell, though. I stopped using the balls and found unscented dryer sheets that I only use in the winter, when static is bad here.

 

[Mermaid02]

I didn't like them, found that they didn't really work. We had a total of 4 balls that we used.

I had the 4 pack of blue with the numbs on them. I used them for about 8 to 12 months and I didn't like them. I also don't like dryer sheets for the smell, though. I stopped using the balls and found unscented dryer sheets that I only use in the winter, when static is bad here.

I didn't like them either.... I didnt' think they did a darn thing. I think I will try the tip about white vinegar this week.

 

[disneygals]

I bought them a couple of years ago, did a test with towels...absolutely no difference. Plus, my dryer is on my first floor...way too loud.

 

[phred52]

I've used the blue ones with nubs for years and years.

The allergist told me to stop using fabric softener and to switch to dye/perfume free soap due to an itchy DD. That small change made a huge difference for her! I have 2 dryers and use 4 balls in each one. Over the years they have sorta turned a bit darker in color, but still work perfectly fine.

 

[minnie1928]

I remember someone recently posting that they put balls of aluminum foil in the dryer to eliminate static. I haven't done this yet, so I can't say if it works or not.

FWIW, I've had my blue dryer balls for about 2.5 years and love them. I dry most stuff on the drying rack, but towels and jeans get tossed in the dryer for a bit and the come out nice & soft.

 

[sharonmickey]

FYI - Ollies had Dryer Balls for $2.00 each pack this past weekend. There were two dryer balls in a package.