What happens to it at the 6-month point? I'd think it would last forever.

Great tip! And if you do want a sweet laundry smell, just put a few drops of essential oil (like lavender) on a dry wash cloth and throw it in with your clothes.

Won't that snag your more delicate clothes?

@Trish1980 @HHRI Maybe try putting it in a lingerie bag to keep it from attacking the clothes.

I've done this for the past 6 months or so. It doesn't snag your clothes - you wad it up into a ball and after about 2-3 dryer cycles it becomes smooth and round, no jagged edges at all. It makes some noise as it bounces around in the dryer, but I got used to it quickly. One thing I noticed after I started using it was that the amount of cat hair that ended up in the lint trapper instead of staying in my clothing was incredible. It's worth trying if you ask me - if you don't like the results your cost was what... a sheet of foil?

I like this tip and I'm going to try it.

I went to the site and the first comment posted totally made me laugh out loud!
"How safe is that though? Wouldn’t that metal get really hot and potentially burn clothes/start fires?"
Seems that "Pebbles As Tripping Hazards" people are EVERYWHERE! Not just here on AT! LOL!!!!
Never thought to try this idea. I don't have a dryer at this time (hang clothes to dry in yard, or in garage). But next time I am living somewhere with a dryer I will try this! Can't hurt to try & if so many people say it works then why not! Hey, could try it with a load of towels or cleaning rags, right?!

This comment alone has sold me on the concept! I have a boxer, and those short stubby white hairs do NOT come out. Thank you!

Oh neat! I had some dryer balls that went missing in a move - I'll be trying this for sure. Who puts delicates in the dryer? Anything that couldn't handle a wad of aluminum foil is air dried.

Yes, I got quickly interested when I read the comment about the cat hair (thank you, intelegantblonde). I will try it this weekend.

Yes! I've been searching for dryer sheet alternatives that actually get rid of static for a while now. Totally going to try this with my next wash cycle.

i tried this last night!

i usually use dryer sheets and the biggest difference i found straight away was that my freshly laundered sheets felt a lot nicer and less... sticky? i guess the dryer sheets left a residue on the sheets which i could feel specifically on the first use. i quite enjoyed the lack of that sensation when i crawled into bed last night.

otherwise, nothing snagged and it did a credible job of eliminating static electricity! i don't miss the scent of dryer sheets as i'm happy to just have clean-smelling items.

i didn't notice any increase in the amount of cat hair in the lint trap. maybe my dryer is already good at removing it, though.

I'm disappointed with the aluminum foil ball. It worked OK for static cling on my first load. By the third load, there was MORE static electricity than ever. Got shocked a few times. Maybe there's something wrong with my dryer?

There was no snagging and no notable difference in cat or dog hair removal. I'm going to have to rate this as not much better than nothing at all.

I had a dryer catch fire quite recently, so I'll raise my otherwise-throw-caution-to-the-wind hand and say the initial suggestion of aluminum in a heat-producing appliance sparked my concern. Pun intended. But if it works, then I guess it works!

YESSSS!!! I am alergic to the perfumes and dyes in normal deterent/laundry sheets. This is PERFECT.

Funny, I just saw an article on this a couple days ago about 12 uses for aluminum foil. This was the only one I remember. Anyway I stopped using any kind of fabric softener a couple years ago and rarely have much static because of my home made washing powder. I guess the commercial stuff like Tide or whatever must be what causes the static because all I use in a 1:1 ratio of borax and washing soda. If you can't find washing soda (not baking soda) then you can use the pH plus (sodium bicarbonate) from the swimming pool section. It is the exact same thing. There are recipes out there for all kinds of additives and mixing to make it liquid or whatever but I prefer it dry and just these two ingredients. It is much safe on the clothes, makes then come out with a faint sweet smell (don't know why but it does) and does not require any kind of fabric softener.

With winter coming on and more static in the house already I think I will try this method on sheets and towels to begin with and see how it does. Besides I have read places that having a ball in with the clothes helps them dry quicker. I can only guess maybe it helps separate them a little. Totally worth a try. I have little dogs too that use lots of blanket (spoiled) so I will see how it does on the hair.

I tired this finally and it's amazing! I noticed more of Raja, my cat's, hair ended up in the lint trap and my clothes never get snagged and actually seem to be lasting longer. Best tip ever!!!

She Who Says GO! said: "I had a dryer catch fire quite recently, so I'll raise my otherwise-throw-caution-to-the-wind hand and say the initial suggestion of aluminum in a heat-producing appliance sparked my concern. Pun intended. But if it works, then I guess it works!"

I think you bring a good argument to the table about considering safety. We often consider advice without considering the source or their lack-thererof. However, in this case, we often dry clothes that have zippers, metal buttons, spare change and various metal clasps and wires (i.e. bras) so I wouldn't expect an alumium ball to be much riskier.

It's intense heat but it's not microwaves.... I think...

However, your comment did make me pause and think for a moment. Which is good.