Ask any mom what the one thing is that you will never run out off at home - laundry!!!
The laundry is also the place where we find the most toxic products in our home. From toxic ingredients in our laundry soap and liquid, to the toxic fragrances in our softeners and fabric dryer sheets.
Want to know why you should immediately toss those dryer sheets? Here is what Dr Josh Axe has to say about them:
“Dryer sheets are part of the laundry routine for millions of people. Most of us don’t think twice about tossing a sheet or two into the dryer — it’s just part of the clean clothes process. And while pulling a warm, fresh load of scented laundry out of the dryer may make you feel warm and fuzzy, there’s likely something not-so-good happening inside of your body.
What if I told you those dryer sheets are caked with ingredients you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. And those “blossoms and flowers” depicted on the dryer sheet box? Don’t buy it. Dryer sheets are really a toxic ripoff. That means you’re paying more for a product that could actually be making you sick.
I’m talking about things like known carcinogens, hazardous pollutants, endocrine disruptors and things that target specific organs in the most unpleasant ways. Let’s examine what we know about dryer sheets and your health, then get into simple alternatives for a safer laundry routine.
So many commercial laundry products are full of toxins that we literally drape over our skin – from stain removers to fabric dryer sheets. This DIY will show you how to make wool dryer balls to replace one of these sources of toxins in our home. Wool dryer balls have a lot of fantastic benefits, including reducing many of the toxic chemicals that are so commonly found in the laundry room.”
I my quest for finding a more natural way to soften my clothes, make them smell amazing and save time on laundry, I came across wool dryer balls and I decided to add it to my DIY project list.
These wool dryer balls are easy to make and serve a very practical purpose: they help decrease drying time by separating clothes in the dryer to allow more air flow. Less drying time means less energy used, which helps the environment (and saves money!)
No more chemical-filled dryer sheets? Sold!
Why you need to start using Wool Dryer Balls
Reduce energy use by cutting down drying time
Reduce static in clothing, eliminating the need for chemical-laden dryer sheets
Soften fabric, allowing you to ditch toxic fabric softeners
Reduce wrinkles, keeping the ironing pile down
Control artificial fragrances, allowing you to go fragrance-free or use essential oils to scent naturally
Though you can buy wool dryer balls commercially, it is simple to make them yourself! All you need is some wool yarn and old stockings (pantyhose).
Important notes when choosing your wool: Be sure that you do not choose a wool that is listed as washable or “super wash” as these will not felt properly. Worsted weight yarn is a good choice. You may want to choose a color that is less prone to bleeding. One standard skein makes about two dryer balls.
Materials needed:
100% pure wool yarn
Old pantyhose or knee-high stockings
Directions:
Begin with wool yarn. Wrap around three fingers 8-12 times.
Twist yarn into figure 8 to form a little “bundle.”
Wrap yarn around center of bundle.
Continue wrapping around, alternating direction until it forms a small ball. I found this tutorial helpful.
Wrap yarn until you reach a ball that is the size of a tennis ball or softball.
Use blunt needle or crochet hook to pull a length of wool yarn under several layers of the ball.
Pull yarn end out and clip with scissors.
Place your dryer ball(s) into the pantyhose or knee-high, knotting them closely in between and at the end. You can simply tie the hose or you can use cotton yarn to tie off each section. Do NOT use wool yarn for this step, as it will felt.
Wash your newly wrapped dryer balls on a hot water cycle and dry on high heat to felt them. This can be done with loads of laundry to help conserve energy. It may take 3-4 cycles for the wool strands to bond together and have the “felted” exterior that you want to achieve.
When the felting process is complete, remove the dryer balls from the hose, and pop them in your dryer with each load. For best results, use 3-4 DIY dryer balls for small and medium loads, 5-6 balls for larger loads.
Essential Oils for Homemade Dryer Ball Recipes
Using essential oils on your DIY dryer balls can give your laundry a subtle scent without the dangers of chemical fragrances. It is important to note that the fragrance will not be as heavy as that from scented fabric softeners or dryer sheets, but is so much safer for your family.
You can use just about any essential oils or blends that you enjoy. Just pop the dryer balls in at the beginning of the dryer cycle. Stop the cycle at about 20 minutes before the cycle ends and add 3-4 drops of essential oils to each dryer ball (lavender is my favourite). Add the balls back into the dryer and allow the dryer to complete the remaining 20 minutes of the drying cycle. Here are some other essential oils suggestions you could use:
lavender and lemon
tea tree and wild orange
lemongrass and lavender
bergamot and cedarwood
If you don't have time or desire to learn how to make wool dryer balls, that's OK. You can order your Dryer Balls on Faithful to Nature or Takealot.
Happy DIY-ing beautiful!
