Wash, dry, fold, repeat. Laundry is the gift that keeps on giving. As long as it never ends you might as well enjoy the job. Ditch the dryer sheets and reach for dryer balls instead to make your laundry smell amazing. Here is a Fresh & Clean Dryer Ball Spray, plus five more recipes to add to your natural laundry routine.
If you are on a mission to live a healthier life, then it’s time to consider what is lurking in your laundry products. From the wash cycle to the dryer, safe non-toxic products are essential.
Clothing, towels, and sheets all come into contact with our skin, making it increasingly important to monitor what laundry is being washed and dried in.
Non-toxic laundry detergent is a great first step, but the drying cycle is equally as important. Consider adding wool dryer balls to your laundry routine, for a more natural approach to laundering.
Dryer balls make a wonderful addition to a natural laundry routine. Keep nasty chemicals out of your laundry for good with reusable dryer balls!
What are Dryer Balls
Dryer Balls are an eco-friendly alternative to fabric softeners and dryer sheets. They are typically made of sheep’s wool. They can vary in shape, size, and material. Wool dryer balls tend to be quieter than plastic or rubber alternatives.
Benefits of Dryer Balls
Use this effective laundry hack to reduce drying time, reduce static cling, and add natural fragrance to your clothes. Dryer balls can also help reduce wrinkles by separating and fluffing clothes while allowing the hot air to circulate better in the dryer.
There is also a cost-saving benefit to using dryer balls. They can last for up to 1,000 loads without needing to be replaced. Reduced drying time also leads to a small reduction in energy costs.
Dryer Balls vs. Dryer Sheets
Conventional dryer sheets are coated with all kinds of chemicals including benzyl acetate, chloroform, and benzyl alcohol to name a few. They are also loaded with synthetic fragrances. These ingredients can irritate eyes and skin, cause respiratory issues and disrupt hormones.
Dryer balls are not only better for your health, but they are also better for the environment. A dryer sheet is not reusable, which means more waste. Check out this easy recipe for DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets.
Best Essential Oils for Dryer Balls
Essential oils add a noticeable spritz of fragrance to clothes, towels, and sheets, without being overpowering. Here are the best essential oils for dryer balls:
Lavender
Lemon
Purification
Citrus Fresh
Rosemary
Grapefruit
Bergamot
Cedarwood
Orange
Eucalyptus
Clary Sage
Tea Tree
Vanilla
Fresh & Clean Dryer Ball Spray Recipe
Ingredients
1 oz witch hazel or vodka
distilled water
20 drops Purification Essential Oil
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4-oz spray bottle
Instructions
Use a funnel to add essential oils to the spray bottle
Add witch hazel. Swirl the mixture to combine
Top with distilled water
Spray 4-5 times onto each dryer ball and place them in the dryer
Get my favorite New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls here.
Natural Dryer Ball Spray
Here are more amazing DIY dryer ball spray recipes to try in your laundry:
Lovely Laundry
20 drops Lemon
20 drops Tea Tree
Dried in the Sunshine
20 drops Citrus Fresh
20 drops Orange
Comfortable Cotton
15 drops Lavender
15 drops Bergamot
10 drops Clary Sage
Tumbling Towels
20 drops Grapefruit
20 drops Rosemary
Sleepy Sheets
15 drops Lavender
15 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Vanilla
How to Use Dryer Balls
Adjust the number of dryer balls depending on load size. Use 3-4 for a medium to large load, and 5-6 for an oversized load. First, spray dryer balls with your favorite scent and place them in the dryer. Add clothes and run a normal drying cycle.
As an alternative to a spray, you can add 4-5 drops of essential oil directly to each dryer ball. If you use this method, let essential oils sit for 10-15 minutes to avoid the possibility of oil stains on clothes.
