Last week while I was ordering a few of these wool wash bars from GEN-Y, I took a moment and checked out their dryer balls. I've been wanting a few for my laundry area. Dryer balls save energy but cutting down on dry times. They also reduce static and naturally soften up clothes without the use of fabric softeners. The pricetag for one wool dryer ball was $8. I immediately googled for a way to make them myself.
It turns out, making wool dryer balls is quite easy and economical. As a knitter, I have a huge bin of scrap yarn that could be used, so our wool dryer balls were free!
The kids were quite excited to join me in this task. We followed this tutorial to make our dryer balls and added a bit of essential oil to the end product. It took a bit to get used to the "thud, thud, thud" sound in the dryer, but after a load or two I just tuned it out. It really isn't loud at all, just surprising. My husband came home and said "who put shoes in the dryer?"
It occured to me that this could be an easy and fun "green" homemade gift for children to make and give - perhaps along with a jar of homemade laundry detergent. If you don't want to give them as dryer balls, consider giving a few of various sizes to small children as a natural toy.
Have you made wool dryer balls? Any tips to share?
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I'm inspired! I used a huge skein of fisherman's wool that was waiting for a project (it was $5.99 at Joanns a long while ago and its just a little scratchy to use for wool soakers/shorties.longies). I have 5 balls on the first step, currently in the wash, and I can't wait to add some pretty colors!
ReplyDeleteI really would love to make dryer balls. Excellent idea! I hate the static electricity between the sheets, socks, and tee-shirts!
ReplyDeleteI recently made little personalized burp cloths (www.wholeparenting.wordpress.com) and took such delight in giving them to girlfriends who have just had babies. Your idea of these dryer balls as a gift, or natural toy, is a really great one!