Playing Ball

All-day there is something that surrounds you that most of us just don't think about: your clothes.

If our clothes are covered in dyes and chemicals then those toxins are being absorbed into our skin.  Many people are developing skin problems, breathing issues (especially asthma), and other health problems from these coatings that are being placed on our clothes by additives to the wash or from dryer sheets.  The coating that makes your towels extra fluffy and makes them smell like a rain shower also keeps them from being as absorbent as they could be.  If you have anti-wicking wear it will dull the effectiveness over time.

Dryer sheets are also hard on your dryer.  The coating that covers your clothes also is deposited in your dryer.  The lint trap becomes full of residue that blocks the holes.  It becomes harder to get the lint out of the trap and more lint will be unable to be trapped and the lack of flow of air not only makes your dryer work harder but it also deposits the lint back on your clothes.  The coating also can cover a moisture sensor (if you have one) that then causes your clothes to overdry.

As a family of allergic, skin problematic people, we always use only natural cleaning products.  So when a family member was staying here and using dryer sheets, we noticed.  The coating stayed in the dryer.  I had to run a bunch of floor towels (that we use by the door in the rain or snow) through a few times on steam sanitize before the coating broke down on our dyer.

To add softness to our clothes, towels, and sheets we use wool dryer balls.  Which, are just balls made out of 100% natural wool.  I only use natural, non-dyed, chemical-free balls (but you can use anything you wish as long as it is wool).  These balls are easy to make with things you might already have in your stash.  When you are done with the balls, some 1,000 loads later, they can be composted into the earth.

Wool balls create a bit of humidity in your dryer by absorbing some of the moisture in your dryer with your wet clothes.  This helps lessen static cling and the time it takes to dry your clothes.  Clothes come out softer with little to no wrinkles.

These balls bounce in between clothes that would normally stick together and allows warm air to pass between those layers, which in turn will dry your clothes quicker and more efficiently.  The balls heat up as well and boost the heat that your clothes receive as they bounce along.  This helps to save you money over the long run if you use fabric softener or dryer sheets since the balls replace both these items.

Here are a few helpful hints if everything isn't going to plan with your dryer balls.

Static

On those days when you can't walk across the room without getting shocked by static, you might want to wet your balls before putting them into your dryer.  As the clothes dry faster, the humidity the balls give off will help lessen or eliminate static.  Also, don't overdry your laundry, try setting your timer to a shorter setting.

Noise

Okay, this one is just a given.  The balls bouncing in your dryer will make some noise.  My Mom used to use tennis balls and those made a lot of noise!  Wool balls make a softer thudding noise.  I barely notice them, my husband's jeans make more noise with the button fly hitting the side of the dryer than the wool balls.

Lint

The first few runs through there might be some lint, but it shouldn't last.  If it does, you might have a bad batch of balls.

Fire

I am going to put this here because I try to cover all angles when I post about something.  I know that a lot of people use essential oils on their balls and love that they can add scent to their drying laundry.  Essential oils can be highly flammable.  They can build up in the lint that is concealed in the dryer and cause fires.  They can suddenly combust at high temperatures and cause fires.  For that reason, I will not be advocating their usage in this post.

If you would like to add scent to your clothes you can always make a sachet that you can throw in your drawers or hang with your clothes.

Two yarn dryer balls and one roving ball. 
The yarn is 100% organic wool and the roving is from my stash, so it will be a gift.

Making Your Own Balls

I would suggest making a test ball and this is why.

The two balls on the left are the result of the balls I show you later on.
The roving one came out smaller then I wanted.
It is easy enough to add more yarn to the roving ball.
I'm adding a video at the end that will show you how to add roving to your ball.

You will need 2 - 6 balls.  Here are two different ways to make them.

Using Yarn:

60 yards of 100% wool yarn will make one ball

I had a 10 1/2 diameter ball to start with and ended up with an 8 1/2 diameter ball, which was perfect.

If you have some organic wool yarn you can wind it into a ball about the size of a tennis ball.  Secure the end by taking a tapestry needle and bringing the yarn back into itself and then place it in a pantyhose leg or sock.  

One of each of the balls in a stocking. 
If you stick your hand down to the toe of the stocking and then place the ball in your hand while bringing the pantyhose over your ball it makes it easy to get it all the way down to the bottom.

Push it all the way down to the toe and then make a knot securing the ball.  This will help it keep its shape in the wash and dryer cycle.  Tie off the sections and throw in the washer on hot.  You can wash them with towels or other items so that you aren't wasting water.  Then dry them.  You may have to wash them more than once.

You will know when they are thoroughly felted when you can't move the yarn.  This method takes more washing and drying than the roving method because the yarn is so firmly packed.

You might have trouble getting the yarn out of the stocking at the end, just keep pulling gently until it all comes off.

Using Roving:
1 ounce of wool roving will make 1 ball
Felting needle - a felting needle has barbs that dig in and hold fibers in place, please be extremely careful with it.

• Tear the wool into strips
• Take the wool strip and make a small clump at one end
• Wind it around itself until it forms a ball
• Use the felting needle to secure all ends before adding the next one. 
• Use the felting needle to shape at each stage to form a ball
• Keep winding new wool strips onto your ball until it becomes as big as a tennis ball
• Wind as tight as you can but it is okay if it isn't perfect
• Using a felting needle create a rounded shape and secure the ends

Secure the end and place it in a pantyhose leg or sock.  Push it all the way down to the toe and then make a knot securing the ball.  This will help it keep its shape in the wash and dryer cycle. Tie off the sections and throw in the washer on hot.  You can wash them with towels or other items so that you aren't wasting water.  Then dry them.  It may take a few cycles to get them to felt all the way down.


You might have trouble getting the yarn out of the stocking at the end, just keep pulling gently until it all comes off.

These make great gifts!

Here is my second attempt at a video.  It is a beautiful day today and my son was able to help me.  I hope you enjoy it.

Safe socially-distanced hugs  🤗

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Sending love and light to everyone being affected by this virus.  

May you be safe.  

May your loved ones be safe.  

🙏
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I have to be honest, I have no idea what we are doing next week right now.  I need to meditate and get a little creative thought going.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions regarding this or any of my other tutorials, please feel free to leave a question in the comments.

Happy crafting!

Ruinwen

😀