Roll up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. This helps to reduce static electricity and keep clothes crisp. Plus, it will not leave any grime on your clothing, and it can be reused for 1-2 months, which can save a lot of money on your laundry!
You can continue using the same dryer balls for months. If they ever begin to fall apart, toss them and crumple up some more foil. If you care about what chemicals dryer sheets are putting in your clothes, aluminum foil balls are an entirely chemical-free option.
They help prevent laundry from clumping together in the dryer by tumbling between layers and separating fabric. This action allows warm air to circulate better which can even help reduce drying time. The movement of the dryer balls against fabrics can also help fight wrinkles, prevent static and soften clothes.
Simply add ½ cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washer to reduce static in the dryer. This natural fabric softener relaxes clothing fibers so they're less likely to cling together during tumbling.
Are dryer balls bad for your dryer? Luckily wool is not as dense as synthetic materials, so wool dryer balls won't damage your machine as they bounce around during a drying cycle. Be sure not to overload your dryer with clothes.
Tennis balls fluff up and separate the clothes, preventing them from clumping together and improving airflow. This results in faster and more efficient drying. The tennis balls create agitation, which helps to remove any wrinkles and soften the fabric.
For small to regular-sized loads, 3 balls are sufficient. For large loads, 6-8 balls, and for extra large loads all the way up to 8-12 balls. The more balls you use, the less time it takes to dry. The more the merrier!
If you haven't got any tumble dryer sheets, spray the inside of the garment with a very fine mist of distilled water or rub your legs with hand lotion. If you're just about to leave the house, try running a wire hanger across your clothes after you've put them on, as this will transfer the static.
Add Baking Soda: There are so many wonderful uses for baking soda around the home, and here's one more. Add a ½ cup of baking soda, along with laundry detergent, during your next load of laundry. Baking soda is a natural fabric softener that gets rid of static while keeping whites white and colors bright.
The physical presence of a tennis ball causes more movement and space between items, which lets in more air, leading to drier clothing. Some of the best items tennis balls can soften and speed up the drying process for are bulkier things like freshly washed pillows and clean comforters.
If the static problem persist when using wool dryer balls, there is an easy fix. Just spray each ball with water until they are slightly wet or damp. Then throw them in the dryer with your clothes. This will help to create steam in the dryer, which in turn helps to reduce static on clothes.
It's recommended to recharge them after every 100 loads by washing them. (Same as above: gentle wash, dry on high heat.)
The combination of baking soda and the aluminum foil lift silver sulfide, otherwise known as tarnish. The process works even better when combined with warm water. This is why a ball of aluminum foil, coupled with a dishwasher tablet and hot water can leave your silverware sparkling and clean.
Dryer sheets stop static cling by absorbing static electricity formed by different fabrics during your dryer cycle. The fabric softeners that coat dryer sheets are positively charged ions to balance the electrons and ions that cause static cling, leaving you with soft clothes without the static.
If it is the latter, one way to remove static cling quickly is to rub a dryer sheet directly onto your legs, socks, or tights to get rid of static cling.
Using white vinegar in the dryer is another great trick for eliminating static. Simply spray a clean washcloth, sock, pre-cut piece of cloth or any other garment with vinegar. This item is then tossed into the dryer with everything else.
A quick spray of hairspray underneath the hem of a clingy dress offers immediate relief from static build-up. We tested it, and though it doesn't last all night, it is a great quick fix that gives instant relief and much-needed confidence before you walk out the door.
They don't need to be pre-washed and are completely safe to use. If you prefer to wash your dryer balls, or you will need to wash them in the future, we suggest washing them by hand with a mild soap in lukewarm water.
An easy way of restoring them is to refresh your dryer balls by washing them in hot water on a gentle cycle and then dry on high heat. This will regenerate the wool and give the dryer balls a fresh recharge.
The Number of Dryer Balls You Should Use Per Load
Generally, 2-6 balls should do the job depending on whether your laundry load is small, medium, or large. There have to be enough balls bouncing around in the dryer for their benefit to be significant and the more you have, the more effective they'll be.