Both leave laundry feeling soft and static free.
Dryer balls are an alternative to one-time-use sheets, and they’re easy to use and reuse.
What Are Dryer Sheets?
Credit:Courtesy of Parachute
The sheet is placed in the dryer for softer clothes and less cling.
Courtesy of Parachute
What Are Dryer Balls?
They usually come in packs of two to four.
Wool dryer balls naturally soften clothes, says Kevin Busch, president of Dryer Vent Wizard.
Similar to a dryer sheet, balls can also reduce cling andsoften your clothesbut without strong chemicals.
Adding your preferred aroma to a wool dryer ball is also possible.
Which Should You Use?
Choosing a dryer sheet or dryer ball is a matter of preference.
If you have always used a dryer sheet, you may not be interested in making the switch.
Weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding what works best in your laundry room.
What To Consider About Dryer Sheets
You’re probably already familiar with dryer sheets.
The softened fibers repel lint, hair, and static.
Dryer sheets soften and release wrinkles in fabrics that are prone to wrinkling, such as cotton and linen.
Because they are single-use, they also add to landfill waste.
For instance, workout gear may lose its moisture-wicking ability.
Always check the labels on your clothing and linens before drying with dryer sheets.
Washing the lint screen is easy, too.
All you need is hot soapy water and an old toothbrush to scrub it clean, he says.
Dryer sheets do come in unscented versions.
you might also look for brands with natural fragrance or eco-friendly materials.
What To Consider About Dryer Balls
There are several benefits to choosing a dryer ball.
That sounds like a worthwhile investment.
Buying dryer balls often doesn’t cost too much more than a box of yourfavorite dryer sheets, either.
Dry Faster
Most people want to know hacks and tricks to get chores and laundry done faster.
Dryer balls are known for drying clothing quickly, too.
Says Busch, “The dryer balls create space between clothes, allowing air to circulate more efficiently.”
Or maybe you don’t use dryer sheets for this very reasonyour skin gets itchy from the strong ingredients.
An advantage of wool dryer balls is they don’t have additives that can be a skin irritant.
Downside To Dryer Balls
Dryer balls don’t have many cons.
Remove any lint or hair with a lint roller.
you might reuse dryer balls for years before they need replacing.
Get a new set of wool dryer balls when they start to unravel, shred, or come apart.
What Other Alternatives Soften Clothes?
Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the final rinse of your wash cycle.
This also helps remove buildup and residue from laundry detergent and fabric softeners, leaving your clothes soft.
It will work as a dryer sheet and won’t leave a vinegar odor behind.
Fabric softener is another alternative.
It comes in liquid and powder form.
Similar to dryer sheets, however, fabric softener can build up and leave a residue on fabrics.
