Dryer balls bounce around between your clothes in the dryer and stop them balling up into one damp lump, so hot air can get to everything. Your laundry dries faster and comes out softer, with fewer wrinkles and less static. Use 3 for a small or medium load and 5 to 6 for a big load of towels or bedding.
Put a load of bath towels through with five wool dryer balls and they come out dry all the way through and really fluffy, with nothing coated on them.
What are dryer balls?
Dryer balls are about the size of a tennis ball. You put them in the dryer with your wet laundry and use them over and over. Most are made of felted wool, and you'll also see plastic or rubber ones with little spikes on them. We'd always go for wool, because it's gentle on fabric and a lot quieter in the drum than hard plastic.
HeySunday wool dryer balls are 100% New Zealand wool, felted all the way through with no plastic core and no coating.
"I've used plastic versions in the past but love, love, love these heftier & functional wool dryer balls!"
Nancy, verified buyer, wool dryer balls
How do dryer balls work?
Without anything in there to break it up, wet laundry clumps together. Sheets wrap themselves around socks, towels fold over on themselves, and the middle of the load stays damp after the outside feels dry, so you end up running the dryer again.
Dryer balls keep knocking those layers apart as the drum turns. Hot air moves through the whole load, and it dries more evenly and more quickly. The tumbling also loosens and fluffs up the fibers, which is why towels come out softer without any fabric softener. Heavier balls do this better, and ours are 38% heavier than other wool dryer balls.
"They are heavier and denser, which helps the clothes to dry faster and without as many wrinkles."
Deborah S., verified buyer, wool dryer balls
Do dryer balls actually work?
Yes, and you'll notice it most on big, heavy loads like towels, bedding and jeans. HeySunday wool dryer balls cut drying time by up to 25%, and the laundry comes out softer and less creased.
They help with static too, because clothes that aren't rubbing against each other build up less charge. A load that's mostly polyester or fleece can still cling a bit, and the easiest fix is to take it out as soon as it's dry instead of letting the dryer run on.
They won't make your laundry smell like anything, but you can add a few drops of essential oil (see below).
How many dryer balls per load?
Use 3 dryer balls for a small or medium load and 5 to 6 for a large or heavy one.
| Load | Dryer balls |
|---|---|
| Small load (a few shirts, gym clothes, baby clothes) | 3 |
| Medium load of everyday clothes | 3 |
| Full drum of clothes, jeans or hoodies | 5 to 6 |
| Towels and sheets | 5 to 6 |
| Comforter, duvet or sleeping bag | 6 |
Three balls have plenty of room to work in a small load, but in a drum full of wet towels they just get buried. If most of your washing is towels, sheets or one big family load, get the 6-pack of wool dryer balls so you've always got enough.
"For a full load of towels I use 6 of these, and they do a fantastic job on everything!!"
Melissa K., verified buyer, wool dryer balls
You can overdo it if the balls start taking up the space your laundry needs to move around in. Six is plenty for a normal home dryer, and if it's packed full, take some laundry out instead of adding more balls.
How to use wool dryer balls
Put them in the dryer with your wet laundry and dry it as you normally would. They're fine on any heat setting, in top-load, front-load and HE dryers. When the cycle finishes, take the clothes out and leave the balls in the drum for next time. You don't need to wash them before the first use, and a bit of fuzz on brand new balls is normal while the wool settles.
Use them for anything that goes in the dryer. They make the most difference on towels, bedding, jeans, hoodies and bulky things like comforters and sleeping bags. Leave them out of loads of delicates you'd normally hang up to dry.
Adding essential oils to dryer balls
Wool dryer balls don't have any scent of their own, so if you like your laundry to smell like something, put 2 or 3 drops of essential oil on each ball. Leave them for a few hours or overnight so the oil soaks in before you use them, otherwise it can stain light-colored clothes. The scent fades after a few loads, so top it up when you notice it's gone.
Lavender is nice for sheets, and eucalyptus or lemon works well for towels. If anyone at home doesn't like fragrance, just leave the oil out.
Recharging dryer balls when they go flat
After a lot of loads, the balls can start to feel softer and a bit flat. Wash them on a hot cycle inside a laundry bag or a tied-up pillowcase, then dry them on high heat, which tightens the wool back up. Snip off any loose fibers or pills with scissors.
When they've shrunk a lot or started to come apart, it's time for new ones, and there's more on that in how long wool dryer balls last.
Can dryer balls replace dryer sheets?
For most loads, yes. Dryer sheets are still better if you want your laundry to smell fresh, and they handle static in fleece and gym clothes better than balls do, so plenty of people use both. We make both, and we've compared them side by side in dryer balls vs dryer sheets.
HeySunday Wool Dryer Balls
100% New Zealand wool and about 1,000 loads per set. $17.95 for 3, and they come in packs of 6 and 9 too.
Free shipping on every order.
Dryer ball FAQs
Are dryer balls worth it?
Yes, if you use your dryer a few times a week. A $17.95 set lasts about 1,000 loads, which is about 2¢ a load, and it cuts drying time by up to 25%.
How many dryer balls do I need for a king size comforter?
Use 6. Big comforters clump easily, and the extra balls keep the middle moving so it dries properly.
How many dryer balls should I use for towels?
Use 5 or 6. Towels are heavy and hold a lot of water, so they need more balls to come out dry and fluffy.
Do you take dryer balls out after each load?
No, you can leave them in the dryer between loads so they're ready for the next one.
Are dryer balls noisy?
They make a soft thumping sound. Wool is a lot quieter than plastic or rubber dryer balls, but if your dryer is next to a bedroom, it's worth running that load during the day.
How long do dryer balls last?
A set of wool dryer balls lasts about 1,000 loads, which is several years for most homes.
