Ecological Ideas: Dryer Wool Balls For The Washing Machine

Have you ever heard of wool balls for the washing machine? Also known as Wool dryer balls , they are used to soften clothes without adding liquid fabric softener. In effect, they reduce static on clothes and drying time by up to 50%.

Without a doubt, a great ecological idea that you cannot miss.

What are drying wool balls for?

If you are a fan of crafts and ecological ideas, you cannot miss this interesting proposal. Drying wool balls are becoming more and more fashionable, and many people use them in order not only to save money, but also to bring more ecological and less polluting practices into the home.

There are much healthier alternatives for washing clothes : natural soaps based on sodium bicarbonate and lemon (which according to this study by the University of Benin, has antimicrobial properties) as well as imaginative resources like the one we present to you now.

But what do these eco-friendly wool balls really do?

• They prevent you from having to use fabric softener.
• They avoid the use of the dryer, or that you have to use the centrifuge for a long time. Indeed, they absorb a lot of water.
• They serve for any type of clothing.

If you are looking for these Wool Dryer Balls in supermarkets or stores. They are sold individually, and the normal thing is that to be effective in our washing machines, we must use three. Solution? Do it ourselves. It is very easy and it will be really good for you.

How to make your own dryer wool balls

What I need?

• 3 balls of 100% wool, which are rather large. No matter the color, what is sought is that they are made of real wool so that they absorb water. In the market they usually sell ones that are specific for this. This is what is called “felt” wool.

• 1 pantyhose that you no longer use.
• 1 crochet needle.
• Bits of string or thick thread, three are enough for us. That they are resistant.
• Tape measure.
• Pair of scissors.

How do i do it?

1. First, we are going to start at the center of the ball. You need to make a consistent center base that won’t come apart when you put them in the washing machine. Too easy. Start by wrapping a little bit of yarn around two of your fingers, circling over them.

Then you take it out and continue wrapping the wool, but this time in the center, as if you were making a bow. This will be the center of the ball and on which you will have to continue rolling wool. You can see it in the image below.

2. Afterwards, continue winding the yarn around this center, making sure that the shape comes out round. Remember to tighten well so that a tight ball of wool remains. Finish with all the ball until you finish this first ball. Then, to prevent it from falling apart, take the crochet needle and put the loose end of yarn inside the ball.

3. This first ball of wool can now be inserted into the stocking, at the bottom. Once inside, take a ribbon and tie it. Then when you do the next one, do the same, tuck it inside and tie a new knot. With the third equal.

In this way, in the same stocking you will have three balls, each separated by a knot. It will remain as a kind of chain.

4. Then they will be washed in hot water.  In this way, they will shrink and be much tighter, ready to be used.

How do I use them?

Very easy. When you do your load in the washing machine, put these three balls next to the clothes. What they are going to do is reduce the static load, soften the clothes and absorb water, thus facilitating drying and spinning.

Then, once you finish doing your washing in the washing machine, take out the balls and let them dry. Some people leave them in the drum of the machine until the next wash, but in the end they can develop a bad smell. Therefore, the ideal is to put them in the sun for a while and you will have it more than ready for the next use.

Also, you can make as many as you want. Depending on how big your washing machine is and the kilos of clothes that it allows you to put in, you can make more balls. There are people who introduce up to 6 drying wool balls.

In this way, you will not only contribute to taking care of the environment, but it will also help you to take care of your skin and that of your family.

It is worth a try. Thus, you will put your grain of sand in  the conservation of nature and, in the same way, to that of your own health.