I'd totally forgotten about this trick, heard about it years ago! Thanks for this, I really detest using dryer sheets but our water is so hard here it's sorta required. Better for all concerned! How big a ball do you use? And should it be hard packed?

I read Trish1908's comments before I knew what the actual post was about... funny!!!

The picture looks hard packed and reasonably smooth. I'm with the other though -- how big?

Glad to see my post could help others!

The aluminum foil balls I use are approximately 2-3 inches in diameter...tightly rolled.

I use 2 or 3 of them with heavier loads or with large blankets/comforters.

As far as the 'snag factor', I've never had an issue.

Drycleaning is the bane of my existence, but any fabrics that I'm worried about are sent straight to the cleaners (although these pieces are few and far between in my closet!)

Perfect, I already planned on doing laundry tonight. Will definitely try this. Thanks!

SO cool, and thanks for the tips, aprilheartsaaron!

I might as well be wearing the tin foil on my head for the reactions I would get at the laundromat. Seriously though I would love to try this.

Just make sure you remove the foil ball when you move your clothes to the microwave

I use those plastic nubby balls you can buy at bed bath and beyond, but honesty, the thing I think works best is don't over dry.

Tried this last night. The janitor who was cleaning up our laundry room looked at me with a raised eyebrow when I put the foil ball in the dryer. It seemed to work pretty well though. With sheets there was still a bit of static but not much. Thanks for the tip!

After using this and the old tennis ball trick (fluffs up pillows, blankets, etc.), I combined the two and covered the tennis ball with foil. It doesn't take as much foil and keeps things from bunching together in the dryer.