DIY Wool Dryer Ball

I have been using DIY wool dryer balls for about a year now and I cannot rave about them enough! I wanted something I could use on all my laundry and not have to worry about it leaving residue on my cloth diapers, so traditional dryer sheets and dryer bars were out. 

Not using anything wasn’t an option either because all my clothes were riddled with static! I stumbled upon the idea for making wool dryer balls when I was researching alternative, more “green” ways to get rid of static in our cloths. We also needed something that was hypoallergenic, because my son and I both have very sensitive skin. Here is the low down on the benefits of using wool dryer balls:

– Reduces static – Reduces dry time by 25-45% (depending on your load size) – Acts as a fabric softener, without the harsh chemicals in liquid fabric softener. – Eco-Friendly (They last for years if they are made correctly, that’s a lot longer than a single use dryer sheet!)

– Hypo-allergenic (even people with wool sensitivities should not have a problem with these balls) – Fragrance free (though you could certainly add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil (not fragrance oil) to the balls, let them dry for about 10 minutes, and they will hold their scent for a while). – 100% safe for cloth diapers!

Material’s needed:

1. 1-2 “skeins” of 100% wool yarn. Make sure it is 100% wool (may even say “perfect for felting”) and not a wool blend yarn. 2. A pair of scissor 3. Panty hose/large men’s dress sock.

Material’s needed:

4. Strips of thread/string that won’t come apart in the wash (if you use panty hose, you can just tie knots in between each ball) 5. Washer and Dryer 6. Crochet hook (Optional)

Step One: Starting and making the first layer of ball

You want to start by wrapping the yarn around two of your finger loosely. I did about half an inch. If you have ever made a yarn ball for a crocheting or knitting project, this will feel very familiar.

Step Two: Preparing the balls for felting and stage one of the felting process

Once you have made as many balls as you like (again I recommend 4), you are ready to put them in the sock/panty hose. Slide one ball in and tie a string around it to hold it into place (or if you are using panty hose, you can just put a tight knot where the string would go). Repeat with the remaining wool balls.

Step Three: Final layer of wool yarn and final felting

You can do the felting process as many times as you like (make sure to complete the entire washing and drying cycle each time). I recommend at least two cycles on this final stage to get them good and felted. Once you are done felting, free them from the sock or panty hose and they are ready to use on your next load of laundry!

Swipe up to learn more!

READ MORE

10 Things to Do in Virginia for Your Next Vacation

My Top 10 Tips For Traveling With Kids

simplyrealmoms.com