When my girls were little I had to be very careful with the brands of laundry detergent we used. A couple of days ago I shared my homemade laundry detergent that is much gentler. But I gave up trying to use fabric softener. We had sensitive skin at our house.
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So I started using a bit of white vinegar in the rinse cycle and I bought some plastic dryer balls that were supposed to help make the towels fluffier and dry quicker. They worked but after a while the balls fell apart.
About that time I saw some handmade wool dryer balls on Etsy. Then I thought… “Maybe I can make my OWN dryer balls.” Of the five I made I am still using three of them. And if I ever find the other two I’ll keep using them, too. None of them have fallen apart.
Supplies for DIY Homemade Dryer Balls
All you need is:
- 100% wool yarn
- tapestry needle or crochet hook
- panty hose or knee highs
- washer & dryer
- scissors
- Wrap the yarn into several small balls approximately 2″. Secure the ends with a tapestry needle or crochet hook. Stick one in the toe of a pair of old panty hose or knee highs. Tie a knot. Repeat with the other balls.
- Wash the whole string in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Remove from hose. Wrap another layer of yarn tightly around the ball. Secure the ends.
- Wash and dry again. You can repeat this if you feel that your yarn is still loose.
- Remove from hose and throw in dryer with wet clothes.
As I mentioned, I’ve had these homemade dryer balls for EIGHT years now. Two of them had some loose string after a year but I just cut it off and secured the ends again. Two are hiding somewhere in my house and the other three still get used every time I wash clothes!
My kitty wasn’t in a very playful mood that day!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Meg says
Do these just make clothes fluffy or do they eliminate static?
ducttapeanddenim says
Meg, Now that you mention it, I don’t have any problem with static either. I’m not sure if that’s because of the dryer balls or because I use vinegar in my rinse and homemade dryer sheets.
Mandy Williams says
I made them using the same method but after several tries my yarn had still not felted. I realized my water was not hot enough and had to turn my hot water heater up a bit.
SueSchneid22 says
Forgive me for asking this, but I guess I’m not understanding the purpose of them other than maybe eliminating static electricity. You meant ion using vinegar in your rinse and homemade dryer sheets. What then, is the purpose of the wool dryer balls? Thanks for your patience with my query!
ducttapeanddenim says
They also help your clothes to dry faster.
Shirley Wood says
If they eliminate static I’m all for it plus they are frugal to use! Great idea. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Jane says
Nice, but hard to read….your Pinterest, FB, G+ etc logos cover the first letter or two of each sentence.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks for letting me know! I’m going to work on that.
Melissa says
What a great idea! We also have some sensitive skin in our house – I need to try these! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty !
Amy says
Interesting. I am always looking for something to reduce or eliminate the static cling. I’ll have to give these a try. Thank you for sharing at Dare to Share.
Jann Olson says
I’ve always been going to try this, but haven’t yet. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Sheri says
Thanks for linking up at our To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Link Party! Pinned!
Kerryanne says
What a great idea Ann! I’m looking forward to trying this out.
Thank you for sharing at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your homemade dryer balls at tonight’s party and pinning too!
Wendy says
Do you ever use essential oil on your dryer balls? If so, how many drops do you use? Also, how many balls do you put in a load? I just bought two wool dryer balls at a market that are about three inches in diameter (they were only $3 each, and I couldn’t pass that up, lol). I’ve used both, but wondered if I should have more than two.
ducttapeanddenim says
I use 2-3. I have put some lavender oil on them before but I usually forget.
Amy Williams says
Have you ever made a dryer ball from an old wool sweater that you accidentally shrunk? I wonder how that could be done. maybe you have a good idea for that.
ducttapeanddenim says
No, but I bet you could!