What Are Dryer Balls and Why Should You Use Them?

Dryer balls are a relatively new product designed to work in your clothes dryer and help to soften clothing and reduce static. They also can save you money on the cost of doing laundry in the long run, are environmentally friendly and are better for your skin than using dryer sheets.

Dryer balls really are balls that you place in your dryer. They are made of rubber and have a 2-3" diameter with rubber spikes protruding from the ball. When you place them in the dryer with your wet clothes their unique design helps to lift and separate the clothing which works to both reduce static and speed up the drying time of the clothing. Not only that, but because the clothing is kept separated while it is drying it comes out of the dryer softer and more fluffed up than without the dryer balls.

One of the biggest reasons to use dryer balls is that they help to reduce static on clothing. Because of that, you don't need to purchase or use dryer sheets which can add up to big savings on your laundry bill over time. Dryer balls can be purchased for under $15 and can be used over and over again for a couple of years before they need replacing. When you add up how much money you spend on dryer sheets over the course of a year you can see how this could save you some money.

The other money saving benefit that goes along with dryer balls is that they help to reduce the amount of time that it takes to dry your clothing. Because of this you can run your clothes dryer for a shorter period of time and save money on electricity. Dryers can take a large amount of electricity to run so cutting back even a little can save your quite a bit of money over time.

Along with the cost savings dryer balls are good for the environment because they both decrease energy usage and eliminate the waste produced by used dryer sheets that otherwise would have just been thrown away. Of course, drying your clothing on the line is the most environmentally friendly way to do it, however it is not always practical and using dryer balls is a good alternative when you don't have time to line dry.

Another benefit of using dryer balls is that they are non toxic and hypoallergenic which can make clothing more comfortable for people who have severe allergies or sensitive skin. Often times the chemicals in dryer sheets can cause skin irritation, however dryer balls can eliminate that problem all together.

The reports on how effective dryer balls really are seem to vary from person to person. Some people have had great success with them and have seen both reduced drying time and reduced static in their clothing. Other people claim not to have seen a difference. With the relatively low price of dryer balls, however, it may be worthwhile to check them out and see if they will work for you. It could wind up saving you a lot of money over time if they do.