First-Play Fluff Balls, Multi-Colour, 65 mm

Product Information

For a helping hand keeping bobbles at bay, try a pill-remover such as the Gleener Fuzz Remover from Lakeland. Additionally, any reduction in drying times noticed when using dryer balls is due to the physical action of keeping items separated to allow for better airflow. But drying time reduction is likely negligible, so don't expect to see much impact on your electric or gas bill. Note that this means that any claims that these spherical laundry tools make laundry day more sustainable through a reduction of energy consumption are likely not significant either. In fact, our Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab executive director, Birnur Aral, Ph.D., says “the benefits of using a reusable item versus a one-time use item will outweigh any other purported environmental benefits made by wool dryer ball manufacturers." Both should last for more than 1,000 washes and are aimed at reducing drying time by between 30-40%. They are also hypoallergenic and plastic-free. If you are trying to lessen your environmental footprint, then the woollen tumble dryer ball options may be the best for you. These tend to be made without any chemicals or bleach, and do not contain any plastic.

The three options to consider if the woollen balls are what you’re looking for are the OrgaWise balls, the KinTor balls, and the 8-Natur balls. Are you looking for a more affordable option? It is important to keep in mind that while dryer balls can fluff up garments and help keep garments separated during a dry cycle, they do not have the fabric softening ingredients dryer sheets and fabric softeners have, so garments will not come out of the dryer feeling as soft. They do fluff up garments which makes them feel softer than using nothing at all. Material: Some dryer balls are made entirely from wool while others have a hard center that is wrapped in wool or another soft fabric. While this likely won't affect a dryer ball's ability to bounce around the dryer, it could produce more noise than a dryer ball constructed entirely from soft wool. Many brands tout New Zealand wool as the best type of wool for dryer balls, but our Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs says this is not likely to make a difference in the quality of the balls. There are also plastic and rubber dryer balls that work the same way and will not unravel after a couple thousand loads like some wool dryer balls do. Load the garments into your washing machine, making sure that there’s enough space for your hand to fit between the wall of the drum and your clothes. Yes, wool dryer balls help to reduce static and reduce drying times. They have the added benefits of being environmentally friendly and free from harmful chemicals.Any fabric can bobble or pill—aka form patches of fuzz balls—as the fibres stretch and break as a result of friction. Clothes rub against themselves while you’re wearing them, and against other fabrics during the washing and drying procedure. The areas worst-hit by pilling are the parts of clothing that receive the most abrasion in day-to-day wear, such as the underarm area and the side of jumpers and cardigans. Removing fabric bobbles from clothing revitalizes their appearance. Begin by laying the garment flat on a clean surface. Gently glide a fabric shaver or a handheld lint remover over the bobbled areas in a light, steady motion. Be cautious not to press too hard, as it might damage the fabric. Use a lint roller to catch any loose fibers. For smaller bobbles, a fine-tooth comb can work effectively. Afterwards, give the garment a gentle shake to remove any leftover lint. With patience and a careful touch, you can restore your clothing to a smoother, renewed state. Otherwise, lay the affected garment out flat on a clean surface then use a razor with blades (the sort you shave your legs with works fine) to gently and carefully shave away the pills. Use your free hand to keep the garment flat and, to ensure you don't damage the structure of the fabric, apply the least pressure possible. We've found you get the best results using light, short strokes of the razor. The balls are firmly felted, effective for up to 1,000 loads, and contain no plastic, synthetics, or fillers.

If you are hoping to find an equally effective and affordable product then the best option for you would be the Nuoshen dryer balls. They are not only one of the most long-lasting products on the list but are still hypoallergenic and considerably reduce drying time. Do you prefer to choose from the higher-value items?Yes! Dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners will no longer be necessary if you start using dryer balls. Dryer balls are a natural and chemical-free alternative to dryer sheets and often prove to be much more affordable in the long run as they don’t have to be replaced very often. Do dryer balls damage the dryer?