DIY Wool Dryer Balls

This post has been a looong time coming. Wool Dryer Balls... They have been used by many for a long time. You can make them at home yourself or even buy them online HERE. (However I will tell you, making them yourself is a bit cheaper.) In an effort to make our home a non-toxic environment, we use them as an alternative to dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener. They pair very nicely with my Thieves Laundry Soap. This mama does not want to worry about chemical-filled laundry products. With Young Living Laundry Soap and my Wool Dryer Balls I don't need to.


Let's talk a minute about commercial Laundry Soap and softeners. It is no secret just how toxic they are. There are many, many studies out there showing evidence that toxic fragrance chemicals can be absorbed into your skin when you put on your clothes or sleep on your sheets.

One study revealed that many of the top-selling scented cleaning products- including... air fresheners, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, disinfectants, dish detergents, all purpose cleaners, soaps, hand sanitizers, lotions, deodorants, and shampoos... emit more than 100 volatile organic compounds, including some that are classified as toxic or hazardous by federal law. And unfortunately products advertised as "green," "natural," or "organic"emitted as many hazardous chemicals as standard ones.

Crazy!! I know!! If you would like to know how your current household products line up, check out EWG.org. You can look up products and see how they are rated. Very eye opening if you have not visited the site before.

So what is a mom to do... Well this mama uses Young Living products and makes many of her own products. If you are interested in creating a healthy, non-toxic class for your family. You can join the class I have going on right now HERE.

Benefits of Using Wool Dryer Balls in Your Dryer

• Eliminate chemicals from your laundry.
• They decrease drying time (Save money on your utility bills- WIN!)
• Commercial dryer sheets can be costly and are thrown away after each use. Wool dryer balls can be reused for years. (Save more money- WIN!)
• Wool dryer balls won't affect the absorbency of towels or cloth diapers.
• 100% wool balls increase fluffiness and reduce static.

How do Wool Dryer Balls Work?

It's super simple. You just throw them in the dryer with your wet laundry. (I actually just leave my dryer balls in the dryer.) They bounce around in the dryer separating clothes, allowing the hot air to circulate through your clothes. They fluff your laundry and reduce wrinkles. They pull moisture out of clothes, reducing your dry time. The more dryer balls you have in your laundry, the shorter your dry time will be. (I keep 6 in my dryer.)

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Finding the right yarn is critical to making the perfect dryer ball. I learned this the hard way. Make sure you find "100% Wool Yarn" You can find it at most craft stores or you can buy it online HERE. Stay away from "superwash" or "machine washable" They will NOT felt, which is exactly what we want.

I found Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn to work the best. It doesn't really matter the color. I stuck with neutral.

What You Will Need:

• 100% Wool Yarn (Find HERE)
• Latch Hook Crocket Needle (Find HERE)
• Pantyhose
• Scissors
• String (To secure wool ball in pantyhose)

1. Start by wrapping the yarn around your fingers several times.

2. Next, remove the yarn from your fingers and wrap the yarn around the bundle several times.

3. Start wrapping the yarn around the entire bundle until a ball is formed.

4. Continue wrapping the yarn around the ball to your desired size. I prefer almost softball size. I feel like that size really cuts down on my dry time.

5. Once your desired size is achieved, use your Latch Hook Crochet Needle to tuck the end of the yarn under several layers of yarn. Close your latch hook so it doesn't pull any other yarn through with it. Then pull the crochet needle through and cut the end.

6. Continue these steps until you have 5-6 balls. 

7. Cut the leg off an old pair of pantyhose. Put the balls into the toe of the pantyhose, tying tightly between each ball with the string. Once you have all your balls in the pantyhose, tie off the end.  

8. Next you need to felt your dryer balls. Throw your entire yarn caterpillar into the wash with towels. Wash in hot wash cycle with a cold water rinse cycle. Dry your yarn caterpillar with your towels using the hottest dryer setting.

9. Remove your balls from the pantyhose and check for felting. Some yarn will not felt with the first wash/dry. You may need to repeat washing and drying 3-4 times. I did 3 times. You will know felting has happened with you can brush your fingernail over the ball and strands don't separate. See below. 

Now you are ready to rock and roll! Like I said earlier, I like to keep mine in the dryer. But you can keep them in a bag or basket next to your dryer if you would like. I made up a whole bunch of these wool dryer ball bundles as Christmas gifts. I gifted them in a burlap bag like THIS. Everyone LOVED them!!

Wanting to Add Some Natural Fragrance? Try Essential Oils!

I absolutely love to add essential oils to my wool dryer balls for wonderful smelling clothes/sheets. All you need do is add 1-2 drops of your desired essential oil to each dryer ball. I find if you wait to do this the last 10-15 minutes of the dry cycle the wonderful smell lasts longer. Here are some of my favorite essential oils I love to use:

• Towels: Purification
• Our sheets: Lavender or Sensation
• My 2 year old's sheets: Gentle Baby (smells like baby powder)
• My 16 year old's sheets: Lavender or Joy
• Our clothes: Lavender, Joy or Citrus Fresh (My husband likes Shutran for his clothes)

If you are using 100% pure essential oil, you will have NO trouble with oils spotting your clothes.

How to Get Started with Essential Oils

• Sign up for my FREE 21-Day essential oil email class to learn the basics
• Join my Oily Rockstars Facebook Group to connect with others and share tips and recipes for DIY beauty, cleaning and so much more.
• Find out how to buy essential oils at wholesale, 24% off retail prices (and get freebies from me!)

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