anyone use dryer balls?

Sally Brownlee

14 years ago

Do you use or have you made felted wool dryer balls?

I am almost our dryer sheets - I think it has taken me about 5 years to go through the box from Costco.

Really thinking about making these this weekend.

Do you like yours?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

carol_in_california
14 years ago
I have those blue pokey outey ones I got about five years ago and I love them!
I also make my own laundry soap and my clothes have never been so soft.
emma
14 years ago
Not sure what kind of balls you mean. I use 3 tennis balls and they seem to lessen the wrinkle problem, but I hate the noise they make.
Related Discussions
Anyone use Ball Kosher Dill Pickle Mix recipe?
Q
Comments (12)
Floating is usually not a safety issue. It simply means that air was still trapped in the vegetable pieces. Over time, assuming it was processed correctly, they will sink. But slimy can be a serious problem as it is often indicative of too low acid brine (too little vinegar) and the food should not be consumed. The problem okra is often slimy naturally, especially if overly mature when harvested. So there is no way to know if the slimy results was from the okra or the too-low-acidity. To be safe I would recommend tossing them. " Are these ingredients good enough to can 1 quart of okra I'm using canning salt, garlic, ( ball) kosher dill pickle mix , and some (ball) mixed pickling spice, and the okra. These are the ingredients I have as of now. I know nothing at all." There are many tested and approved recipes for making pickled okra and when one is new to canning only those tested and approved recipes should be used. In all cases the amounts that can be added are limited to the specific amounts in the recipe - no additions. In other words the Ball Kosher Dill Pickle Mix is safe to use IF you follow the instructions on the label. I don't have a packet of it to check butyou would use only the packet mix, and the vinegar and water it calls for and the okra. No additional pickling spices or salt can be added unless the instructions call for them. I doubt they do as the salt and all the spices should already be in the mix in the packet. As for quarts - only if the instructions call for quarts. Normally such instructions are for pints only and you can never go to a larger jar than what is in the instructions as it creates safety issues in the pH and the processing time required. If you want to use an approved recipe for Pickled Okra instead use this one. http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_dill_okra.html Dave
...See More
Has anyone used the Miracle Ball Method for exercise?
Q
Comments (7)
Another consideration would be to purchase a high density foam roller, they come in many sizes but if you get a 36" x 6" you can use it all over. Physical therapists use them for aligning the spine, neck stretches and a verity of other uses. I just ordered one and plan on using it for myofacia /fibromyalgia/arthritis pain. It most likely will not be 100% as affective as deep tissue massage but will hopefully come close. There are a few good books out there on this subject along with instructions and trigger points but I havenÂt weeded through them all yet. After years of studying Pilates, ball, yoga, and traditional weight training, this is new to me. However, after having three deep tissue massages lately and discovering how amazing the results were for me I can not wait to learn a way I can help myself. IÂm not kidding after three deep tissue massages I felt like someone had pulled me out of a little box and I could perform exercises at a much higher level, my concentration and energy was also greatly improved. Reading about deep tissue massage can be very interesting it also supposedly releases stored toxins.
...See More
Dryer balls?
Q
Comments (13)
Tennis balls are not a great idea, especially if you use the highest heat setting. The rubber smell gets in the clothes and is obnoxious. Dryer balls can be had cheap enough. Dollar Tree had them for $1/pair. There's even some that claim to be more anti-static but I haven't made the plunge. I think Grainlady tried them IIRC and had positive things to say about them. I have an extra large dryer so I use 6 of them in there and it makes quite a difference. I don't have any documented proof but have noticed a difference when I haven't had them in there. Towels especially. You'll get less wrinkling if you don't overload the dryer and if you don't overdry things. Static comes from overdrying clothes too so you don't need dryer sheets or anti-static spray and you'll spend less on your drying costs if you dry them properly in the first place. It will also help to remove from the dryer while still warm and put them on. That should limit wrinkling too.
...See More
Have you used dryer balls?
Q
Comments (21)
Ok mayflowers - you had me wondering. I do know about wool and lanolin, but I did some searching online. From what read, the woolzies balls are actually made in Nepal (another plus to me). The wool is sent there and women who desperately need income wash the wool and felt the wool into the balls. Someone asked on the woolzies website about lanolin in the balls and how it would effect a person with a lanolin allergy. They say there is no lanolin in the balls. Funny - my pup used to have a ball very similar to your dryer balls! LOL But what I happened upon while looking for the lanolin info was this info about plastic/rubber balls: "Rubber and plastic balls are made from harsh chemicals including PVCs, which are released onto your laundry by the hot dryer air. Not only are these types of dryer balls dangerous to your health, they are toxic to the environment as well. Additionally, the harsh tumbling action of rubber, plastic, and tennis balls can damage your dryer’s sensitive electronic sensors. Finally, some of these types of balls may even melt slightly and stain your laundry."
...See More
Sally Brownlee
Original Author
14 years ago
emma, the ones I am thinking about are hand made using wool wound into a tight ball. They are then run through hot wash and dry cycle a few times that cause the wool to felt (harden and bound together)
When used in a dryer, they help clothes dry faster and keep down wrinkles and static.
donna37
14 years ago
Hadn't heard of those. Like Carol, I have the blue balls and make my own laundry soap and wash in cold water. Usually dry clothes on the line but not always able to do that and use the dryer and the blue balls.
cynic
14 years ago
I've used the plastic dryer balls for years. I think they help things dry faster. I don't want the smell from softeners.

The thing most people don't realize is if you have static issues you're overdrying your clothes which costs you more in gas and/or electricity and it also can damage your clothes a bit too. Even in the dry winter months I have no static issues by drying clothes properly.
hounds_x_two
14 years ago
Never heard of them, but now I want to make some! Dumb question- how many do you use at a time? Just one, or two, or three? Or does it matter?
Sally Brownlee
Original Author
14 years ago
Hounds, after watching and reading a few tutorials, I think I am going make 8. Some people use up to 12 for very large loads. I would post a link but I am on my mobile...just google words like "felted wool dryer balls". They should last more than 5 years and no more dryer sheets! Woo Hoo!
You need to use 100% wool, not any blends or super washed. You can use yarn, batting or roving.
Jasdip
14 years ago
I have not heard of the homemade wool ones. I've seen the plastic balls with the rubber nibs at the dollar store. I remember when they were originally selling for $14. Now they are $1.

Tennis balls definitely work, but they are noisy, as are the plastic balls.

I too use homemade laundry soap....both liquid and dry powder for my whites. My whites are really white, and they are always soft. I too line-dry. Haven't used the dryer in years.
hounds_x_two
14 years ago
I want some! I think they would make unique gifts for friends who have everything.
I quit using dryer sheets years ago. Miss the fluff, but not the chemicals.
sleeperblues
14 years ago
I use the plastic ones, not really sure if they work.
bee0hio
14 years ago
I use the blue dryer ball with bumps. Had never heard of the felted wool balls.
Sally Brownlee
Original Author
14 years ago
I am making some this afternoon. I will post pictures when I'm done.
I started with wool batting and finishing with wool yarn

anyone use dryer balls?

Comments (12)

carol_in_california

emma

Related Discussions

Sally Brownlee
Original Author

donna37

cynic

hounds_x_two

Sally Brownlee
Original Author

Jasdip

hounds_x_two

sleeperblues

bee0hio

Sally Brownlee
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

anyone use dryer balls?

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

Sally BrownleeOriginal Author

Sally BrownleeOriginal Author

Sally BrownleeOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Sally Brownlee
Original Author

Sally Brownlee
Original Author

Sally Brownlee
Original Author