How to Make Your Laundry Dry Faster (Without Buying a New Dryer)

You know the feeling—you hear the dryer beep, expecting a warm, fluffy pile of clothes, but when you reach in… they’re still damp. So you close the door, restart the cycle, and hope this time it’ll finish the job.

When that keeps happening, it’s easy to assume your dryer is on its last leg. Maybe it’s the heating element, or maybe it’s just getting old. But before you start researching repair costs or shopping for a new machine, there’s a much simpler (and cheaper) fix worth trying first: wool dryer balls.

It’s one of those things that sounds almost too simple, but it really does work—just ask Darleen:

“My dryer heating element is going out, and I was desperate for some drying help while I get the dryer figured out, and guess what? Yep, you guessed right, the dryer balls make a HUGE difference in the time it takes my dryer to dry. I was skeptical at first, but I was desperate, and Jillee is the real deal and true to her word! I am so happy!”

When I read Darleen’s message, I knew I had to share it—because she’s far from the only one who’s noticed this kind of difference. And the best part is, there’s real science behind it.

The Simple Science Behind Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls might look unassuming, but there’s a reason so many people swear by them. They make your laundry dry faster—not by magic, but by improving how air and moisture move inside your dryer.

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

They Improve Airflow

As the balls tumble around, they separate layers of damp fabric and create small pockets of air throughout the load. Those air gaps allow heat to circulate more freely, so moisture can evaporate faster instead of getting trapped inside twisted towels or tangled sheets.

They Absorb and Release Moisture

Wool fibers can hold up to 30% of their weight in water without feeling wet. Early in the drying cycle, the balls soak up a bit of moisture from your laundry, then slowly release it as steam. That gentle steam helps prevent static and wrinkles while speeding up overall drying time.

They Keep Clothes From Clumping Together

Bulky items like bedding and jeans tend to twist into tight balls that trap damp air inside. The dryer balls help break up those clumps, ensuring that every item dries evenly and efficiently.

“I recently purchased new sheets. I love them, but for some reason, they sometimes come out of the dryer with pillow cases pushed into the corners of the fitted sheets, and they always have areas of the sheets that are still wet. Try as I would to separate everything as they went into the dryer, it was not helping. 

Then I read Jillee’s article about dryer balls. I didn’t have a lot of hope, after all, I had used dryer balls in the past without much luck. Jillee said these were not the same as others, that they were wool and would help to keep things separate in the dryer! Ok, I thought, I’ll try them. I will try anything at this point. 

I washed my sheets last night. Placed them in the dryer, the same way I always do, but put the balls between the fitted and flat sheet. Once the dryer stopped, indicating the sheets should be dry, I opened up the door to find…everything dry, clean, and just perfect! I am so happy with these!!! I couldn’t believe what a difference these dryer balls made, so glad I purchased them! Thank you, Jillee!!”

Janice D.

All those small improvements add up! A typical load of laundry takes 45 to 60 minutes to dry in a standard household dryer, and heavier loads—like towels or bedding—can stretch to 75 minutes or more. When you add wool dryer balls, that time often drops by 10 to 25%, depending on your fabric type and load size

That means:

• A 60-minute load might finish in 45 to 50 minutes
• A 75-minute load could finish in 55 to 60 minutes

Even shaving off 10 or 15 minutes per load makes a noticeable difference—saving energy, reducing wear on your dryer, and giving you one less thing to wait on.

“I wondered if I would notice a difference in the length of time it takes to dry a usual load but I noticed that it does indeed take less time for a usual load and even a heavy load like my bedding. Works great!”

Andrea B.

Why It’s Worth Helping Your Laundry Dry Faster

Sure, it’s nice to finish laundry sooner—but there are plenty of other reasons to care about how efficiently your dryer works. When your clothes dry faster, you save energy, protect your fabrics, and make your whole laundry routine a little easier.

You’ll Save On Energy Costs: Your dryer is one of the biggest energy users in your home. Cutting just 10–15 minutes off each cycle can lower your energy use (and your utility bill) by as much as 20–25%. Over the course of a year, that adds up to real savings—especially if you’re running multiple loads every week.

“My electric bill has increased considerably this past year, and I am trying to cut corners wherever I can. We have four adults in the house, and they use a lot of towels for bathing, showering, etc. The one thing I started to do was put several towels in the dryer at one time to try and save a bit on power. The problem was that, at the end of the dryer cycle, some of the towels were dry, but some of them were still damp. I had to put the damp ones back in the dryer again.

I then decided to order the dryer balls, hoping they would help me with the dryer problem. Wow, did they ever help. I put two of the dryer balls in a very large load of wet towels, and they all came out perfectly dry. I was so pleased to find the answer to that problem. These dryer balls are a must-have.”

Sharon C.

Your Dryer Will Last Longer: The less time your dryer has to run, the less wear and tear it experiences. Shorter drying cycles mean less strain on the motor and heating element, which can help your appliance run more efficiently for years to come.

Your Clothes Will Last Longer, Too: Heat and friction are tough on fabric fibers. Reducing drying time helps minimize fading, pilling, and shrinking—so your clothes, towels, and bedding stay looking and feeling their best.

You’ll Reduce Wrinkles And Static: When clothes spend less time tumbling in hot air, they’re less likely to over-dry, which is one of the main causes of static cling and deep-set wrinkles. The bit of natural humidity from wool dryer balls helps prevent both.

“What a difference! I read the reviews before I bought this product. I had to see for myself it was true. And yes! My drying time was reduced and there were less wrinkles in my clothes.”

Judy W.

You’ll Save Time (And Maybe Your Sanity): A faster-drying load means you can finally keep the laundry moving—no more waiting around to switch the next load or start folding before bed.

Those benefits are what make wool dryer balls such a small but mighty upgrade for your laundry routine. You’re saving time, money, and energy—not to mention giving your clothes and dryer a longer life.

How To Use Wool Dryer Balls

Using dryer balls couldn’t be easier—just toss a few of them into your dryer along with your wet laundry! I usually use between four and six balls at a time, depending on the size of the load.

If you’ve never tried them before, now’s a great time to see what a difference they can make—our Fall Cleaning Sale has them 30% off, just $17.49 for a 6-pack (regularly $24.99)!

Or, if you’re ready for the full laundry refresh, the Laundry Kit is 40% off and includes a set of dryer balls, a bottle of my Freshly Washed Essential Oil Blend, and my How to Wash Everything eBook. It’s everything you need for naturally fresh, faster-drying laundry.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

4 Other Easy Ways To Help Laundry Dry Faster

Wool dryer balls can make a big difference on their own, but you’ll get the best results when you combine them with a few simple drying habits.

1. Don’t Overload (Or Underload) Your Dryer

Fabric expands as it dries, which means an overstuffed drum doesn’t leave enough room for air to circulate. Too few items can cause clumping and wasted energy. Split large loads into two smaller ones, and if you’re drying just a few items, toss in a couple of clean, lint-free towels to help everything tumble more freely.

2. Take Advantage of Residual Heat

If you have multiple loads to do, run them back-to-back. The dryer drum stays warm from the previous cycle, so you’re not starting from room temperature each time. Avoid opening the door mid-cycle, too—every time you do, you lose built-up heat and add extra minutes to your drying time.

3. Keep Your Lint Trap Clean

A clogged lint screen restricts airflow, forcing your dryer to work harder and run longer. Clean the lint trap before or after every load, and once a month, wash it with warm, soapy water to remove any residue from fabric softeners or dryer sheets.

Read More: These Simple Dryer Tips Can Help Prevent A Fire

4. Deep Clean Your Dryer Regularly

Lint and dust can collect inside the vent hose and around the drum. Taking a few minutes once a month to vacuum those areas helps air move freely and reduces the risk of dryer fires.

Even a few of these small adjustments can add up to big time and energy savings—and they’ll help your dryer perform at its best.

If your dryer feels like it’s taking all day to finish a single load, don’t give up on it just yet. A few simple tweaks—starting with a set of wool dryer balls—can make a surprising difference.

They’re an easy, affordable upgrade that saves time, energy, and frustration. And right now, you can get them for 30% off during our Fall Cleaning Sale!

Pair them with the Laundry Kit for even more savings, and enjoy the satisfaction of laundry that dries faster, smells fresher, and feels softer—without buying a new dryer.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP