In an era where the realities of climate change are settling in, many homes and families are making efforts to help mitigate their impact. These changes can be a daunting task, but there are many small adjustments you can take that have a considerable impact. Adding something as simple and inexpensive as wool balls for your dryer can save you money and decrease energy usage.
Even if minimizing impact isn’t your primary focus, wool dryer balls reduce static, save you money, and have other benefits to your home and laundry room. These powerful tools can save you money on electricity, dryer sheets and reduce drying time rather significantly. To make your life simpler, we’ve researched and scoured the internet world of wool dryer balls to find the best wool dryer balls on the market and for your home. Scroll down to continue delving into the woolen world of dryer balls with us.
The Best Wool Dryer Ball
1Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The Smart Sheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are our favorite wool dryer balls. These dryer balls have already received lots of praise from Yahoo Lifestyle, Good Housekeeping, Slate, Bustle, and more. The Smart Sheep dryer balls are also a winner of the 2019 “Best of the Best” product awards from Hearst Media. That’s a tremendous amount of praise for wool balls just slightly larger than a tennis ball.
These dryer balls will reduce drying times, static and keep your clothes fluffy for over 1000 loads, or two to four years. The dryer balls are handcrafted of 100% New Zealand wool for the highest quality. You do not need to worry about excess fragrances and scents here unless you want to. If you want to add a scent to your laundry, you can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils to your wool dryer balls, but they do not scent your laundry of their own accord.
2Friendsheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
These penguin wool dryer balls will have you dancing with Happy Feet all the way to the laundry room. The Friendsheep 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls feature an adorable penguin design to bring some arctic cuteness to your home. Your new penguin friends were hand-felted in Nepal by women who are being paid fair wages for their work. With these kinds of ethics behind your new wool dryer balls, you pay a slightly higher price. We view this as a worthy investment not only to support a brand doing positive work, but these penguins are so cute, only the dinosaur dryer balls may be able to compete with them.
These precious penguins are made of 100 percent New Zealand wool and advertise a reduction in the drying time of 20 to 40 percent. They will last you over 1000 loads of laundry, provided they don’t become your child’s new favorite stuffed animal first! These lovely dryer balls are best suited for any penguin loving home searching for new wool dryer balls. For more must-have products for your home, check out our comprehensive guide on best laundry pods.
3Simple Natural Products 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The Simple Natural Products 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are a handmade set of 100 percent wool dryer balls. These dryer balls come with a 3000-cycle rating, making their slightly higher price a little less surprising! While the online description doesn’t share how much they reduce drying time, all wool dryer balls will reduce drying time, so you can still expect energy savings with this purchase. These wool dryer balls will leave your clothing static-free, fluffy, and silky smooth, just like these top laundry detergents from our list.
4LEVIBASIC 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The LEVIBASIC 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are the only wool dryer balls on our list that guarantee 100% Merino wool! Merino wool is from sheep that live in the highlands of Australia and New Zealand. Their wool is noticeably softer and finer than regular wool and is often used in higher-end outdoor wear, like hiking socks, as it is a desirable and well-known type of wool. These dryer balls can reduce drying time between 10 and 30 percent and last for at least 1000 loads of laundry. These are handmade and minor imperfections or differences between the dryer balls are normal.
5Nellie’s Lamby 4-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The Nellie’s Lamby 4-Pack Dryer Balls come with a fun, retro feel. The four 100% New Zealand wool dryer balls come in a baby blue, comic-laden coin bank shaped like an older washing machine. The dual-purpose container home for the dryer balls when not in use or a coin bank for the forgotten coins that fall out of pockets in the wash.
These dryer balls are on the pricier side of our list.. They are slightly larger, but lighter in weight than most other dryer balls on this list. This difference keeps noise and drying times down. These dryer balls are also scented but the scent will wear off after about 50 loads, the balls themselves will begin to deteriorate after about 200 loads based on the reviews. These wool dryer balls are an excellent choice for all homes, but especially those with plenty of coins left in the wash. You may also be interested in these top-quality laundry baskets from our list. Be sure to browse them.
6SnugPad 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The SnugPad 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are one of the most cost-effective options on our list. Even though they boast a low price, they still promise 1000 loads of use and 100 percent New Zealand wool. You’ll see up to 25 percent reduced drying times with these SnugPad dryer balls.
This pack of dryer balls is scent-free and safe for use with sensitive skin and with infants. These dryer balls are chemical and synthetic fiber-free; it’s only wool in these! If you’re really craving a scent for your laundry, feel free to add in a drop or two of your favorite essential oil on your dryer ball. Here are some of the best and most popular laundry hampers available. Be sure to pick the right one for your home.
7LEMON 12-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The LEMON Wool Dryer Balls are the only 12-pack of wool dryer balls on our list! This set boasts six grey and six white wool dryer balls. This pricing and quantity make the price comparable to many of the other items on our list. Instead of having to purchase a pack of grey wool dryer balls and a pack of white to avoid unseemly white fibers on dark clothes, this is an excellent all-in-one purchase.
These dryer balls leave the guesswork out of reduced drying time and promise to reduce the time spent drying your clothes by 25% for over 1000 loads of laundry. These do come with a lemon scent, so if you are sensitive to fragrances, this may not be the right product for you. If you want all your clothing to have a fresh citrus scent, this is an excellent choice. If the smell eventually wears off, you can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils to add that fresh scent to your clothing. If you prefer old-style clothes drying racks, check out our selection of the top ones on the market.
8OHOCO 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
The OHOCO 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are one of the few grey dryer balls options on this list. As wool dryer balls deteriorate towards the end of their life, there’s the potential they may leave small fibers on clothing. If it’s unseemly to you to see those white fibers on your dark clothing, a grey dryer ball could be a better alternative. Some folks prefer to use grey dryer balls with dark clothing and white dryer balls with their lighter clothing. These dryer balls are still 100 percent New Zealand wool.
If you are worried about the small white fibers, this pack of grey dryer balls is an excellent choice for your laundry room. These dryer balls are quite cheap, and for 1000 loads or more of fluffy clothes and reduced drying time, we see them as a worthy investment. Our guide to the most sought-after steam presses features more amazing products for your home. Take a moment to check them out.
9MOONBROOK 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls
žThese six green dinosaur dryer balls are ready to chomp through static and drying times. Made of 100% New Zealand non-whitened wool, these dudes are ready for immediate use in your home. MOONBROOK 6-Pack Wool Dryer Balls are safe for kids and pets, and their adorable dinosaur design makes them cute to look at too. There’s no additional additives or problematic chemicals; your new dinosaur friends are all wool and hand-sewn for exceptional quality.
Your new dinosaur dryer ball friends reduce drying time by 15 to 30 percent and should last you at least 1000 loads each. You can snag these little prehistoric monsters from Amazon and bring them into your home for years of energy savings and cuteness. If you are looking for a quick solution to wrinkles of all sizes, be sure to invest in a quality steamer for clothes from our list.
10Ecoigy 6-Pack Organic Wool Dryer Balls
The Ecoigy 6-Pack Organic Wool Dryer Balls are extraordinarily eco-friendly. After you’ve used the puppies for 1000 or more washes, you can throw them in the compost as they are 100% bio-degradable. They will also reduce your drying time, and thus energy usage by 20 to 40 percent. After 1000 or more loads, that’s some massive savings for the low cost.
These wool dryer balls are 100 percent New Zealand wool. There’s no need to worry about harmful synthetics or chemicals either; these dryer balls are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Although, if you wish to add a drop of essential oils into your laundry, you can do so by placing a drop or two on your dryer balls. For more quality products to keep your clothes looking flawless, check out our guide to the best laundry whiteners.
11Budieggs 6-Pack Organic Wool Dryer Balls
These Budieggs 6-Pack Organic Wool Dryer Balls are an excellent cost-effective option for your laundry room. If you’re hoping to keep spending down, these are one of the least expensive options on our list. You’ll see 10 percent to 30 percent reduced drying time once you throw a few of these in your clothes dryer. While this is one of the lower percentages on our list, the reviews rave about how fluffy clothes were after being washed with these wool dryer balls. Like many others on our list, these balls are 100 percent organic New Zealand wool. With so many cost-effective options with 100 percent wool, it’s best not to settle for anything with synthetic fibers added.
Wool Dryer Ball Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Look for in Wool Dryer Balls
Size - Most wool dryer balls are about the size of a tennis ball, approximately two and a half to three inches in diameter. Look for wool dryer balls that measure at least two and a half inches in diameter. This size allows them to move layers of clothing apart so that drying time lessens as air flows between the layers drying them more quickly. Wool Dryer balls that are too small will not be large enough to separate clothing layers in the dryer. Your dryer balls will eventually shrink over time as they lose bits of fibers. Once your dryer balls become too small, it's time for them to be retired. It’s also perfectly normal to experience small size differences and imperfections in wool dryer balls that are 100% wool or hand felted. Because of the natural material and handmade nature, small differences do occur.
Weight - With wool being a lightweight material, most wool dryer balls weigh very little. A six-pack of wool dryer balls often weighs under two ounces. The lightweight nature of them allows them maximum bouncing in your dryer, which is the action that separates your clothing and makes them so effective at reducing drying time. It's unlikely that you'll find heavy wool dryer balls in your purchasing research, but keep in mind that the heavier they are, the less they will bounce, which will reduce effectiveness.
Eco-Friendly - Wool dryer balls are inherently eco-friendly in several ways. Wool dryer balls are made of well, wool. Wool is a renewable resource that is more eco-friendly than plastic or other materials. Wool dryer balls also decrease drying time with their absorbency and ability to separate clothing layers, thus reducing energy usage by 20 to 30 percent. Some brands and offerings will advertise different percentages. Wool dryer balls are more eco-friendly than plastic ones because of their materials and the fact that they are often compostable once they are out of commission. These babies don't need to live for another one hundred years in a landfill once they have completed their duties in your home.
Drying Time - One of the biggest perks of wool dryer balls is reduced drying time for each load of laundry. This perk saves you money and time. Some dryers do not automatically sense when clothes are dry, so your first few loads with your dryer balls may take some additional monitoring, so your clothes are not over-dried. Lessened drying time often comes in percentages between 20 and 30 percent. If your average load of clothing takes 60 minutes to dry, you should expect 42 to 48 minutes of drying time upon adding wool dryer balls. Less drying time per load means you can complete more laundry loads faster, and those minutes add up over time. The energy savings add up throughout the wool dryer balls' lifetime as well. If you only saw a 12 minutes reduction in drying time, over 1,000 washes, that's still 12,000 minutes saved, which is, in turn, a tremendous amount of energy savings.
Durability - Most wool dryer balls should last you about 1000 washes each or about two to five years, depending on how much laundry is done in your household, making them really durable products! Wool Dryer Balls are ready for retirement to the compost pile once they become scraggly and bits begin to fall off in the dryer. These dryer balls are generally durable but still made of wool and should be stored in a dry place and in an area where they won't snag on other items. When selecting your dryer balls, make sure they are listed to last for at least 1,000 washes or more.
Hypoallergenic - Wool is inhospitable to dust mites and airborne particles, making it a great hypoallergenic material. Because the dryer balls are wool, they are inherently hypoallergenic. If you happen to be allergic to wool, these dryer balls are likely still an option for use in your home. If you are allergic to the bristly fibers in wool, you should be fine when using the dryer balls as long as you do not rub them on your skin. If you are allergic to the natural lanolin found in sheep's wool, you're still in luck! The lanolin is washed away during the manufacturing process, making these safe for use with your clothing.
Wool Dryer Ball FAQ
Q: What are wool dryer balls?
A: Wool dryer balls are balls that you place in the dryer with your laundry as you dry it. The balls help your clothing dry faster as they are absorbent and separate layers of clothing. Less time with the dryer running means you save energy and money. Wool dryer balls are an excellent addition to your laundry room to help your home be more energy efficient. Wool dryer balls also reduce static electricity in your dryer.
Q: Do wool dryer balls work?
A: Yes! Wool dryer balls separate layers of clothing as they bounce around the dryer. The separation allows for better airflow and faster drying times. They are also absorbent, which also helps your clothes dry faster. Wool dryers have added benefits as well, like the ability to add a drop of essential oil to your laundry via your dryer ball, reduced static electricity, and are often compostable once they need to be retired from duty.
Q: How should I use wool dryer balls?
A: Wool Dryer balls are easy to use. Simply open your dryer, add your wet clothing, throw in three to four dryer balls, and start it up! Other nuances of using your dryer balls include making sure to check your laundry's dryness throughout the first through drying cycles with the dryer balls. Wool dryer balls drastically reduce drying time, and if your clothes dryer doesn't stop automatically when your clothes are dry, you will need to make adjustments to your standard drying times. It is best to use wool dryer balls for medium and small loads because you add more to the load. In larger loads, the wool dryer balls can not move around or bounce well enough to reduce drying time and separate clothing layers.
Q: What's the difference between wool dryer balls and dryer sheets?
A: Dryer sheets and wool dryer balls have different purposes. Dryer sheets reduce static electricity and make for softer feeling clothing. Dryer balls do this too. However, the primary purpose of dryer balls is to reduce drying time, which is more eco-friendly. Dryer balls are also sustainable. Dryer sheets are often coated in potentially harmful chemicals and cost more. Each box of dryer sheets costs about $10 and lasts for about 200 loads. Six dryer balls will last about 1,000 loads each and cost a lot less. You can get the same benefit plus more that you get with dryer sheets by switching to dryer balls.
Q: Do wool dryer balls reduce drying time?
A: Dryer balls reduce drying time quite significantly. Three to four dryer balls with your laundry will reduce drying time by up to 20 to 30 percent. They reduce drying time by creating better airflow between clothing and absorbing water throughout the drying process. As your dryer turns, the wool dryer balls bounce; this separates the layers of clothing, allowing air to flow better, drying your clothing faster. The multi-faceted approach of wool dryer balls makes them more powerful than plastic dryer balls or dryer balls made of other materials.
