The Laundry Swap That Cut My Drying Time In Half

Does anyone else find the experience of pulling warm, fluffy laundry out of their dryer oddly luxurious? Sometimes I’m tempted to skip folding altogether and carry it over to my recliner chair, use my warm laundry as a blanket, and grab a nice midday nap!

Unfortunately, not every load comes out of the dryer warm and fluffy. Some loads become hopelessly tangled together during the process, which results in damp pockets that require additional drying time.

I used to struggle with this regularly and was frustrated that I couldn’t figure out how to prevent those troublesome laundry clumps. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I finally corrected my mistake by discovering the wonders of dryer balls.

In this post, I’ll share why relying on dryer sheets alone was my biggest dryer mistake, and how dryer balls were the fix I never knew I needed. If you’ve been having dryer woes of your own, you’ll soon know exactly how dryer balls can help solve them!

7 Of The Best Reasons To Use Dryer Balls In Your Dryer

1. They Cut Down Your Drying Time

Adding wool dryer balls to a load of laundry often drops your drying time by 10 to 25%, depending on your fabric type and load size. As the balls tumble around, they separate layers of damp fabric and create small pockets of air throughout the load, so heat can circulate freely instead of getting trapped inside twisted towels and tangled sheets.

Faster drying times reduce your energy costs over time, and they’re especially noticeable on heavy loads like towels, sheets, and comforters. Shorter cycles also mean less wear and tear on your dryer—and less heat and friction on your clothes—helping both last longer.

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

“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!”

Darleen

2. They Prevent Static Cling

Static forms in your dryer when friction between dry fabrics produces an electrostatic charge. Because wool dryer balls naturally hold onto moisture, they keep the air inside the dryer from getting bone-dry—so less static forms in the first place. This is most noticeable in dry winter air, when there’s already very little humidity to work with.

That said, if you live somewhere with especially dry air, the dryer balls alone may not knock out every last bit of static. The good news is that a couple of simple tweaks can give them a real boost:

• Soak your dryer balls: Before adding them to the dryer, soak a few balls under running water while squeezing them lightly to make sure they’re fully saturated (but not dripping wet). As the water evaporates during drying, it increases the humidity inside the dryer, which helps prevent static buildup—and the effect lasts throughout the drying cycle.
• Add safety pins: Pinning one or two metal safety pins to your dryer balls can help prevent static by attracting extra electrons and discharging them as the pins make contact with the drum.

“These have to be the best dryer balls. My clothes and towels come out soft and static-free. I have used other dryer balls before, and I still had static with my clothes and towels, but with yours, I don’t have static, and clothes come out soft.”

Cecilia

3. They Leave Everything Softer And Fluffier

Have you ever pulled a towel off the clothesline only to find it stiff and crunchy? That happens because the fibers dry flat and matted together when nothing is moving them around.

Wool dryer balls prevent that. As they bounce through your load, they keep the fabric tumbling and fluff the fibers back up so they don’t dry flat. The result is laundry that comes out softer and fluffier with no fabric softener required—a difference you’ll notice most on towels, blankets, and bedding.

“Not sure how I did laundry without ’em all these years! ALL my laundry comes out softer and fluffier than ever – without pilling.”

More Ideas You'll Love

These Unassuming Mixing Bowls Are Secretly The Best Ever

This set proves that not all mixing bowls are created equal. Continue Reading

Molly

4. They Smooth Out Wrinkles

Wrinkles set when damp fabric bunches up, and the dryer’s heat presses the folds into place. Dryer balls keep your laundry separated and tumbling freely instead of twisting into one big wet knot. The result is far fewer wrinkles and a lot less time spent ironing.

“My dryer is famous for wrinkling all my clothes. These dryer balls really do the trick. My clothes come out almost wrinkle-free.”

Sharon

5. They Don’t Contribute To Residue Buildup

Dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners work by coating fabrics in a thin layer of chemical softeners. That waxy coating builds up on your laundry over time, leading to skin irritation, towels that don’t absorb as well, clothing that doesn’t breathe, and even mold and mildew growth.

That residue isn’t just an issue for your laundry, either—it builds up on your dryer’s lint screen, restricting airflow and creating a potential fire hazard.

Dryer balls sidestep all of it because they’re simply made of wool, so there’s no coating or residue to leave behind.

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

“I have a new dryer, and the lint filter has been a nightmare that had to be cleaned every week with hot water and Dawn. A friend told me the buildup was from dryer sheets. I got these wool balls and stopped using the dryer sheets, and I no longer have the gummy buildup.”

Susan

6. They’re Free Of Harmful Chemicals And Irritants

A set of 100% wool dryer balls doesn’t contain complicated ingredients or anything that could irritate sensitive skin. That’s a real advantage over dryer sheets and fabric softeners, which often get their scent from undisclosed synthetic “fragrance” blends. Those fragrances are a common trigger for allergies, skin irritation, and headaches.

But you don’t have to choose between fresh-smelling laundry and your health. Just apply 3–4 drops of my Freshly Washed Essential Oil Blend to a few dryer balls before you start the cycle. It leaves a light, natural, clean-laundry scent—without the overwhelming perfume that many store-bought softeners leave behind.

If you’d like a stronger, longer-lasting aroma, try these simple tricks:

• Let it absorb first: Allow the oil to soak into the dryer balls for 1–2 minutes before tossing them in.
• Adjust the amount: Start with 2–3 drops per dryer ball for a light scent. Increase to 5–6 drops for a stronger aroma, but don’t overdo it, to avoid oil stains.
• Apply at the right time: For a scent that lingers, add Freshly Washed to your dryer balls during the last 10–15 minutes of the cool-down cycle.
• Try a cool-air boost: Dry your laundry as usual, then apply essential oil to your dryer balls, toss them in with the dry clothes, and run a 5–10 minute cool-air cycle to help the scent cling to fabrics.
• Store for freshness: Keep unused infused dryer balls in a sealed container or bag between laundry cycles to help retain the scent.

Read More: Here’s What Your Dryer Sheets Are Really Doing to Your Clothes (and Your Skin)

“I love how my laundry feels and smells now. The scent is fresh and natural, not overpowering like store-bought products. My sensitive-skin family members haven’t had any reactions!”

Linda

7. They’re Reusable And Cost-Effective

A set of dryer balls is a “one and done” purchase, as opposed to dryer sheets that you have to buy repeatedly over time. A single set lasts about 1,000 loads, so you can reuse them for years to come. So you’ll cut back on waste from single-use items and save money in the long run.

“I decided to try these felt dryer balls as a substitute for commercial dryer sheets. Boy, am I glad I did! They help dry my clothes and minimize wrinkles without heavy perfume. They will be a money saver as I won’t have to buy dryer sheets anymore.”

Nicole

Ready To Make The Switch?

If you’re ready to ditch dryer sheets and make your laundry routine gentler (and a whole lot more efficient), these are the exact products I use and recommend:

• Wool Dryer Balls · 6 Pack: A reusable, natural alternative to dryer sheets that helps cut drying time, reduce static, and leave your laundry softer.
• Freshly Washed Essential Oil Blend: My favorite bright, citrusy blend for naturally fresh-smelling laundry.
• Laundry Kit: The easiest way to get started! It includes Wool Dryer Balls, Freshly Washed, and my How To Wash Everything eBook.

And there’s no better time to try them! My Summer Cleaning Sale is on now, where you’ll save 30% on both Wool Dryer Balls and Freshly Washed. But if you want the biggest savings, grab my Laundry Kit for 40% off!

Ready to make the switch to naturally fresh laundry?

CLICK HERE TO SHOP