How to scent dryer balls without essential oils?

Author: Benton Dach  |  Last update: Monday, November 10, 2025

Without essential oils Dried flower buds like lavender, rose, or chamomile placed in a small homemade dryer sachet will transfer their aroma to the laundry when tumbled in the dryer. Just place the reusable sachet in with your wool dryer balls. The heat gently releases soothing floral scents into your fabrics.

How to make dryer balls smell good without essential oils?

You will need 1 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of scented hair conditioner. I use Suave because they have such a wide selection of scents and it's super inexpensive!

What can I put on my dryer ball for smell?

Simply put 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil on each ball (this might discolor your dryer balls but it will have no impact on their effectiveness), let dry thoroughly and add your clothes. Repeat when the smell dissipates, I find that it will last at least a week and up to a month.

How to make dryer ball fragrance?

If you want to make scented dryer balls, simply add a few drops of safe fragrance oil and let is dry completely (see section above for choosing a safe fragrance). Once the fragrance is dry, throw the dryer ball in with your clothes and run a dry cycle as you normally would.

What is the downside to dryer balls?

Cons Of Dryer Balls:

Make a loud noise when drying clothes. Wool can fall off with extended use and move into the lint drawer. Not as effective with large loads of laundry.

3 Reasons to Switch to Wool Dryer Balls

How often should you wash dryer balls?

For households that do laundry less frequently or use the balls in every other load, cleaning the dryer balls every few months or even once a season may be sufficient. In homes where the dryer is in constant use, or if the balls are used for heavy, dirty loads regularly, a monthly cleaning might be more appropriate.

How many dryer balls are too many?

A: As a rule, the more balls you use the better they work. However, as a guide you really need a minimum of three wool laundry dryer balls for small to medium loads; five for medium to large loads; and up to a dozen for large to huge loads.

Is it safe to put perfume on dryer balls?

You can spray perfume or scented mist on dryer balls to add a light fragrance, but it may not last as long as balls infused with oils during production. Rubbing a few drops of essential oils on dryer balls works better. Lightly scenting items like washcloths is an effective option too.

Are essential oils better than fragrance oils?

Essential oils are natural products with no synthetic ingredients. Fragrance oils are not natural products and do contain synthetic ingredients. Only essential oils can be used for aromatherapeutic purposes. Both can be used in home crafting projects, and both are safe to use when handled correctly.

How do you activate dryer balls?

If you made the dryer balls from wool roving, you must make sure the balls are felted before using them. You can do so by drying the balls a few times before tossing them in with your clothes. Once they're firm to the touch, place four wool dryer balls into the dryer with your wet laundry, says Poepping.

How do you make a ball smell good?

Wash Your Balls Every Day

Bacteria and fungus thrive on these oils and, if they are allowed to grow, cause bad odor and infection.

Are essential oils flammable in the dryer?

Essential oils can be flammable, which means they should never be added directly to your dryer, just in case.

Can you put vinegar on dryer balls?

Adding essential oils to dryer balls might seem like a great way to deodorize your laundry, but it's not recommended due to safety concerns. This practice can increase the flammability risk, particularly for wool dryer balls. Instead, consider using a solution of equal parts water and vinegar on your dryer balls.

What can I spray on my dryer balls?

DIRECTIONS:
  • Add witch hazel, 5 drops of Peppermint EO, 10 drops of Eucalyptus EO, and 10 drops of Lavender EO.
  • Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water.
  • Shake and spray on dryer balls before throwing them in the dryer!

Does Buff City Soap Scent dryer balls?

We carefully test our scents on our Dryer Balls ensuring that we can safely make your laundry smell wonderful 💓!

How can I make my laundry smell good without essential oils?

Use baking soda during wash cycles to neutralize odors naturally; it also brightens whites and softens fabrics without harsh chemicals.

Can I substitute fragrance oil for essential oil?

If a formulation called for 0.5% essential oil and you want to use a fragrance oil instead I'd use 0.1% fragrance oil and replace the missing 0.4% with more water (if it's a formulation that contains water) or more liquid carrier oil (for anhydrous products).

Can you put perfume in an electric diffuser?

Can you put perfume in an electric diffuser? Most electric diffusers should only be used with fragrance or essential oils. Similarly, to a reed diffuser, alcohol based perfumes should not be put in your diffuser due to potential damage to both the diffuser and your health.

What does bergamot smell like?

Known as the “prince of citrus,” bergamot is a sunny and pleasant citrus scent featured in many perfumes as well as luxury candles. It's aroma is refreshing and rounded; sweet, but complex and deep at the same time; similar to lime, but with floral, herbal, and resinous undertones.

How do you add fragrance to dryer balls?

How many drops of essential oil to put on the dryer ball? 2-3 drops of essential oil should be enough to freshen your clean laundry. If you want to get a stronger aroma, add 5-6 drops, but make sure not to overdo it.

Are scent beads bad for your dryer?

Do You Put Scent Boosters in Washer or Dryer? Scent boosters go in the washer drum before inserting your garments or linens. Do not put laundry scent boosters in the dryer as you risk starting a dryer fire. Scent boosters dissolve by liquid, not hot air.

Can you use dryer balls without essential oils?

Wool Dryer Balls. IMPORTANT: Do not add essential oils to dryer balls and do not add essential oils to anything that you put into your washer or dryer.

When should you throw out dryer balls?

You might wonder how you will know when you should replace your dryer balls since you are not planning on counting 1,000 loads. The simple answer is you will know it is time to replace your wool dryer balls when they start to look scraggly and pieces of wool start to tear off. Just a quick look is all you need.

Can I use tennis balls as dryer balls?

Yes, that's right. One of the most creative hacks for laundry doers everywhere is to throw tennis balls in dryer machines. What does this do? It can prevent clumping of the filling of bulky items (like those mentioned above) AND create more fluff1.

Are plastic or wool dryer balls better?

Wool balls excel in reducing static and softening clothes, while plastic balls are more effective at reducing drying time. From an environmental standpoint, wool balls have a clear advantage. They're made from a renewable resource and are biodegradable, making them a more sustainable choice.

Previous article
Can wires go under insulation?
Next article
Is there a standard gutter size?