Wool dryer balls: A green alternative for your laundry
100 percent wool dryer balls
Sarah Finks | Contributor
It's official. I am in love. I posted last month about how to organize your laundry detergent and showed you some cute pictures of plastic dryer balls, which are a much better for the environment and your wallet than fabric softeners or dryer sheets. But there I was, laptop in hand and having discovered this wonderful blog called the Habit of Being. Her pictures are gorgeous, the writing is inspiring and she had wool dryer balls!
Why was this the first time I had ever heard of them? One step better than plastic since wool is a renewable resource. Plus, just add a dab of lavender essential oil to each ball and your laundry smells like fresh lavender. You can choose whatever scent you like and change whenever you want. Seriously! What more could I ask for?
So what did I do? I made some. And tested them, and tested them and tested them. Luckily for you we do a lot of laundry. And the results are in. They are wonderful. My towels are fluffy and they smell like lavender with no harmful chemicals. And the more you wash them the harder they get.
For the instructions I followed to make them, click here.
Sarah Finks | Contributor
Instructions for use:
- Once or twice a week throw them in your washing machine with a load of laundry. The more you wash them the harder they get.
- Throw in with all of your dryer loads and enjoy your low-cost, earth-friendly alternative to dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
Happy laundry, everyone!
Sarah Finks is a local mom and blogger trying to find order amongst the chaos of 3 small boys and a wonderful husband. Feel free to e-mail me at threeboys.home@gmail.com or check out my blog at threeboys-home.blogspot.com for more household tips.
Comments
Sarah
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Yes, it must be real wool because you want it to felt in the wash. Synthetic yarns won't felt. The felting is what holds the balls together and prevents them from unraveling. The best yarn I found was the lion's brand 100% wool yarn at Michael's. If you find it on sale or use a coupon it is a pretty good deal. http://www.michaels.com/Lion-Brand-Fishermans-Wool-Yarn/nw0443,default,pd.html?cgid=products-yarnandneedlecrafts-lionbrand&start=2 Also when felting be sure to use HOT water and detergent in the washing machine for best results. Yes, I don't see why you couldn't re-use the yarn from an old sweater as long as you were sure it was 100% wool and not a synthetic fiber. Remember you want the fibers felt together!!
LA
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
to JMA2: could we use an old sweater? Ball it up? or unravel it, etc.?
JMA2Y
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:03 p.m.
Actual wool yarn is expensive. Did you use synthetic yarn-which is what most yarns are made of (aside from angora, etc.)
Sarah
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 9:46 a.m.
Yes they work well for static. Although you have to use more per load. During the summer for a regular load I use about 3. In the winter when it is really dry or if I am washing towels I use about 8 per load. The balls help to lift and separate the laundry while drying which increases the air circulation and reduces drying time. The more surface area available for your laundry to rub against is what reduces static and makes the clothes soft and fluffy. So the more the better!
LA
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
what about static cling??