We're not fans of fabric softeners -- either the liquids or the sheets -- but we also dislike formerly soft clothes that come out of the dryer with that telltale crunch. And now that there's a baby in the house, skin allergy-inducing chemical cleaners are verboten.
So we were interested to read that tossing a pair of bumpy balls into the dryer can yield the same results, without toxins, allergens, or landfill.
It makes sense; we've used tennis balls in the dryer before to keep pillows fluffy. (It's always worked beautifully, 'cept for that one time the balls pushed all the filling to one side of a pillow. So the little spikes actually seem like an improvement.)
The balls apparently also shorten load time by creating air pockets, which help circulate air through your laundry more efficiently.
The company that makes these only offers phone order (888.984.7471), but Gaiam has a similar product for $18 that can be ordered here.
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
We bought ours at Bed Bath & Beyond.
(Also, that Gaiam link seems to be broken.)
Fixed the link. Thanks, Dunstan!
i was thinking of getting those to fluff my towels from lillian vernon - 2 for $9.98.
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=6062&name=Reusable+Dryer+Balls+-+Set+of+2&parentCatId=4&catId=157
i have a snuggly cat & i prefer to hang most of my clothes to dry, so i'm usually wearing as much fur as my cat! i may try these lint balls that you throw in the wash. i just hope they don't snag my sweaters.
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=4155&name=Washing+Machine+Lint+Balls+-+Set+of+12&parentCatId=4&catId=157
I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond too. I like them okay but I still need to use at least part of a dryer sheet if I want things soft or un-staticky.
i've seen them at walmart & kitchen collection
Are these really loud when tumbling around inside the dryer?
Mischa, yes.
Here's a link to Gaiam's Dryer Balls that should work -- http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?product%5Fid=06-0598
I got mine at www.simplygoodstuff.com for only 9.95. I think they work great. I don't know if the ones they sell are better or not, but I havn't had any problems with mine so far. I had static until i reduced my drying times, but now i couldn't be happier. No chemicals and softened clothes is what i was after, and I think dryer balls deliver. Heres a link to the dryer balls I bought.
http://www.simplygoodstuff.com/dryer_magic-dryerballs.htm
We've noticed an unpleasant odor on our clothes...seems to have started after we started using the balls. Has anyone else had this issue?
Thanks.