What are Wool Dryer Balls and How Do They Work?
Moss Creek’s wool dryer balls are hand made from 100% solid wool. They work by lifting and separating clothes, increasing airflow and reducing drying time. By absorbing moisture, they create a more humid drying environment, which helps to reduce static.
The difference between the wool colours is that the wool is from different breeds of sheep! The wool is never dyed, which means there is no chance of colour transfer while drying.
All colours tumble equally well. Customers like to choose the colour based on their own aesthetic. In fact, many decide to mix the colours.
Moss Creek Wool Dryer balls will last for 1000+ loads. However, in our experience they are likely to go missing, before they have a chance to wear out - usually abducted by a pet or eloping with a missing sock. Another place they like to hide is inside shirt sleeves & pants legs.
Wool dryer balls are sold in sets of 3 for a reason. They need to work together creating chaos in the dryer. For large dryers and heavier loads, we suggest using 6 or more.
Most of the Lanolin is removed during the milling and felting. Initially the fleece goes through a scouring process to remove dirt and oils. After this our felting process includes a wash in hot water with a natural detergent (Forever New Fabric Wash) which removes any traces of lanolin. That being said, make sure to listen to your instincts, if you think the dryer balls are causing irritation, stop using them.
In addition to faster drying, wool balls are a natural alternative to toxic dryer sheets and fabric softener for those who like to add scent to their laundry.
Simply add a few drops of your favourite essential oil or perfume on the dryer balls. If you are worried about the oil staining your clothes, rub the wool balls together to absorb the oils before tossing in the dryer.
The scent evaporates over 2-3 loads (depending on the temperature), leaving lightly scented fresh laundry. Suggest your customers experiment with different essential oils to find a favourite. Citrus blends and lavender are popular.
What Causes Static + How to Reduce It
It is important to understand what causes static cling. Static buildup is usually caused by one or more of the following:
1. Mixed Fabric loads – synthetics like nylon and polyester generate static cling from friction as they tumble in the dryer.
2. Over Drying – leaving the clothes in too long. Try to remove clothes just before they are completely dry. Dryers with a moisture meter that shut down automatically are ideal for this strategy. (TIP - If you hang shirts and pants immediately after removing, the wrinkles fall out and they often need little or no ironing.)
3. Dry Air – usually a problem in the winter months when there is less humidity.
By absorbing moisture from fabrics in the dryer they maintain a more humid environment that is less likely to allow static build up. TIP In extremely dry environments dampening the balls before adding will help even more.
We found these natural remedies on the web. We haven't tried them – so use at your own risk.
Tin Foil: Adding a ball of tin foil in the dryer doesn’t sound like a smart idea… but apparently it works. Perhaps it grounds the static generated by the clothes.
Safety Pins: Seriously! Apparently it really works! All they did was attach 2 safety pins on different items in the dryer and everything came out static free.
White Vinegar: another piece of internet wisdom. Add 1/4 c. of vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser during the rinse cycle. Apparently, you won’t smell the vinegar after the clothes are dry.
Caring for Your Wool Dryer Balls
Over time, wool balls may pill and pick up loose threads. When the dryer balls get worn and scuffed like this it shows they are working hard. Sometimes this happens faster if they are used to dry fabric that is coarse. An occasional trim to remove loose threads and pills will keep them looking sharp.
If a wool ball gets dirty, wash them in the next load. If they come out a bit squished, they can be reshaped by hand while still damp. If using hot water, additional felting may occur which can cause them to felt tighter which will only make them more resistant to pilling.
Wool dryer balls are biodegradable, so once they’ve run their course, they can be buried in a garden or a flower pot. As the wool decomposes, nutrients are added to the soil and help retain soil moisture. Alternatively, hang them in a tree and watch birds collect the wool to build their nests.
Other Fun Ideas for Using Wool Balls
They make great pet toys, your dog or cat will thank you. We were asked to make them for the Orangutans at The Toronto Zoo.
They are safe and soft balls for indoor bowling.
Learn to juggle and join the Circus.