Homemade Dryer Balls

by Jenny
(UK)

If you're wondering why I, or anyone would want to make homemade dryer balls then let me explain. A few months ago I purchased some PVC dryer balls and although I was happy with the way they softened my laundry I was disappointed to find they split after just a few weeks.

If you are unaware of what dryer balls do here is a quick description
Dryer balls mechanically soften your laundry without any of the harmful chemicals you find in fabric softener or dryer sheets. They lift up and separate your laundry whilst drying, reducing both the drying time and any creasing. Dryer balls will also retain the heat which it then transfers to your clothes as they tumble, this further speeds up the drying process saving energy and money.

So when I came across an article on homemade dryer balls I decided to have a go at making my own..... Three months later most of my friends and relatives have also made them, so I thought it only fair that I would share the idea with you.

What you will need
Wool (try using up any odd scrapes you have)
Crochet needle or a large darning needle
Old pantyhose or sock

you need to use 100% pure wool, the type that shrinks when machine washed, don't try to use a machine washable wool, it won't work.



Method
Start by winding the wool around two fingers. After a few winds slip the wool off your fingers, fold it in half and wrap more wool tightly round it. Continue to wind the wool round and round to make a small tight ball about 2 inches in size.

Now cut the wool and then push a crochet needle through the wool ball, hook the end of the wool and pull it through into the center of the ball to secure it.(it may be two difficult to go though the middle so go through the wool ball near out side edge.) If you're using a darning needle simply thread the needle with the end of the wool and securer by sewing, so that your wool ball won't unravel.

Cut the legs off the pantyhose, then place the balls into one of the legs and secure by tying a knot after each ball.

Place in the washing machine and then the tumble dryer with your next wash load. Resulting in a tight hard shrunken (felted) ball.

Start winding more wool around the ball again, nice and tight just like before until its about three inches. Or as big as a small apple, then securer the end of the wool again as I described earlier with the crochet or darning needle. Then repeat the washing and drying proses using the pantyhose leg again.

Your dryer balls are now ready to use, don't worry if they are not entirely hard, the more you use them the better they get. However they sometimes become bobbley over time, and if this bothers you just use a wool shaver to remove them.