Wool dryer balls

Making your own wool dryer balls is an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener by eliminating chemicals from your laundry. They are also cost effective by decreasing drying time, saving money on utility bills.

You will need:

• Skein of 100% wool yarn
• scissors
• blunt-tipped needle or crochet hook
• pantyhose or knee high stocking
• string or cotton/acrylic yarn (to secure the yarn balls in the pantyhose)
• essential oil (optional)

 

 

Begin by wrapping your yarn around your fingers. Continue to wrap tightly into a ball until it is the desired size. it can be anywhere from tennis ball sized to softball sized.

 

 

 

 

Use a blunt-tipped needle or crochet hook to tuck the end of the yarn under several layers.

 

 

 

 

Cut the leg off an old pair of pantyhose (or knee-high). Put yarn balls into the pantyhose starting at the toe, tying tightly in between each with the acrylic yarn.  Tie off at the end.

 

 

Throw the entire thing into the washing machine. Wash in a hot cycle with cold rinse. Dry on hottest dryer setting. (You can throw a few towels in with them). Check for felting. You can tell when they are felted when the strands do not separate. Some types of wool yarn can take several cycles of washing and drying.

 

Use at least 4-6 yarn balls in the dryer for a regular load and 6 or more for larger loads. The more you use, the quicker your laundry will dry.

 

Optional:

Lightly scent your laundry by adding 1-2 drops of essential oil to each dryer ball before throwing in the dryer.