Wool Dryer Ball Update
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We’ve been using these Wool Roving Dryer Balls for several months now. Previously, I was using Wool Yarn Dryer Balls. Here’s my update…
Wool Dryer Ball Update
I definitely prefer the balls made from wool roving.
They’re holding together well, and I have no way to prove this but I think they’re softening our laundry much better than the balls made from yarn.
Shedding
So far, the only aspect that’s not so great is the wool hairs they shed onto the laundry. And really, it’s no big deal except for the towels and washcloths.
I have brown hair, and our dryer balls are brown, so the wool hairs look like my hair. Which is kind of gross to find on a clean towel as you’re drying off in the shower, don’t you think?
While I’m not crazy about picking off the brown hairs from towels and such, I consider it a small price to pay for non-toxic laundry softener.
Don’t Use Yarn for the Core
One other note: In the tutorial for the Wool Roving Dryer Balls, I mentioned using old wool yarn balls as the core of a few new roving balls.
Interestingly enough, as you can see in the picture at the top of this post, these balls are not holding up well at all! The ball on the far right used a yarn ball for the core, with wool roving felted around it. You can see that it’s falling apart.
The ball on the far left is made completely from wool roving and is holding up just fine.
The Verdict
So there you have it: In my experience, dryer balls made from wool roving are cheaper to make, last longer and work better than dryer balls made from wool yarn.
I’ll definitely continue to make our dryer balls out of wool roving.
Have you tried homemade wool dryer balls?
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Kathleen,
I also use the dryer balls, although I am in the process of re-felting them as a few started to come apart. I also use white vinegar as a softener during my wash cycle with 2 drops of lime essential oil. I think my clothes smell better, have no static and are just as soft as when I used commercial softener. I used to miss the smell of the commercial stuff but now I find it too strong. The vinegar takes away the wet clothing smell and the lime adds just a hint of freshness that I love. 🙂
Jen–I’ve experimented with vinegar and EO’s, too. For some reason I just could never make it a habit…most days I’m just happy to get the laundry washed with soap and into the dryer! 🙂 Love your idea of Lime oil!
Kathleen,
I had a problem with my wool yarn dryer balls leaving light colored lint on dark clothing. I decided to try keeping the ball in the stocking sleeve that they are felted in. By making double knots between balls, you can cut between the knots keeping each ball covered by the stocking. It does keep the lint – hairs off the clothing, but the stocking casing does deteriorate, so periodically you need to recover the balls. Love my dryer balls.
Barb
What a great idea, Barb. Thanks! 🙂