How to Make Your Own Dryer Balls
I do all my ironing in the dryer. – Unkown
Truth be told, I don’t think I have ironed since 1998 🤣🤣🤣. My trusty dryer does just fine for almost all things. (I’m clearly not a fancy person.)
Unfortunately, the way most people have been taught to do laundry is creating some problems.
The residue from the fabric softener sheet builds up on the filter, load after load. Eventually, you’ll find that lint is hard to remove because the sticky film has blocked the holes in the filter and adhered to some of the lint. – CNET
Not only are dryer sheets create a problem on the appliance itself, but it’s not very good for us.
Dryer sheets are woven sheets of fibers coated with stearic acid or fatty acids, scents and a cocktail of various chemicals. – CNET
Then, there are more problems like coating making kids pajamas less fire-resistant, towels less absorbent, etc.
YIKES!!!
To avoid these issues, the trend is moving to dryer balls. Dryer balls can reduce static cling AND they retain heat which can reduce the dryer time. If used with some essential oils, you can add some natural scent to your laundry as well.
So, let’s do a DIY and make some, shall we?
SUPPLIES
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- 2-3 skeins of worsted or 100% wool (Either one will work, but the worsted wool felts better than 100% wool. Be sure to look at the wrapper around the yarn to be sure it is 100% wool and not part wool and part acrylic as this will not felt.)
- 1 medium-size crochet needle
- Scissors
- 1 pair of pantyhose (Great reuse item)
- Twine
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Find your beginning piece of yarn and wrap around your fingers 10-15 times.
Step 2: Slip the yarn from your fingers and pinch it closed. Wrap your yarn around the middle about 10 times. 
Step 3: This small ball is the beginning of your dryer ball. Keep wrapping your yarn around your little ball, going in different directions as you wrap, until it is about the size of a baseball. 
Step 4: When you get your yarn ball to the size you want, cut the yarn and using your crochet needle, push the end of the yarn into one end of the ball. 
Step 5: Cut the leg off your pantyhose and tie a knot in the foot of the hose. Push one of your yarn balls into the hose and tie a knot. Repeat. You should be able to get 4-5 balls into one leg. Tie the open end into a knot. 
Step 6: Place your pantyhose into the washing machine on hot water. After the washing cycle ends, add the pantyhose to the dryer on hot. This is where your dryer balls will become felted. Add a few towels to keep the noise of the bumping balls down. 
Step 7: Cut the dryer balls from the pantyhose.
Step 8: Add to the dryer and you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you like.
MORE TIPS & TRICKS
If you would rather make a natural homemade reusable dryer sheet, we have this tutorial as well.
And, if making the dryer balls is not for you, we have used these also and really liked them:
A few more posts we think you will enjoy:
If you enjoyed this post, we would appreciate a pin to share for your friends to enjoy as well.
DIY Dryer Balls
I you want to reduce dryer time and move away from chemical dryer sheets, why not make your own DIY dryer balls?
Materials
- 2-3 skeins of worsted or 100% wool (Either one will work, but the worsted wool felts better than 100% wool. Be sure to look at the wrapper around the yarn to be sure it is 100% wool and not part wool and part acrylic as this will not felt.)
- 1 pair of pantyhose (Great reuse item)
- Twine
Tools
- 1 medium-size crochet needle
- Scissors
Instructions
Find your beginning piece of yarn and wrap around your fingers 10-15 times.
Slip the yarn from your fingers and pinch it closed. Wrap your yarn around the middle about 10 times.
This small ball is the beginning of your dryer ball. Keep wrapping your yarn around your little ball, going in different directions as you wrap, until it is about the size of a baseball.
When you get your yarn ball to the size you want, cut the yarn and using your crochet needle, push the end of the yarn into one end of the ball.
Cut the leg off your pantyhose and tie a knot in the foot of the hose. Push one of your yarn balls into the hose and tie a knot. Repeat. You should be able to get 4-5 balls into one leg. Tie the open end into a knot.
Place your pantyhose into the washing machine on hot water. After the washing cycle ends, add the pantyhose to the dryer on hot. This is where your dryer balls will become felted. Add a few towels to keep the noise of the bumping balls down.
Cut the dryer balls from the pantyhose.
Add to the dryer and you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you like
Recommended Products
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These are such a great idea. Much better than the plastic ones.
Sam – Raggedy Bits recently posted…Project 5 – 5 Chair Challenge – Layer Stamp A Chair
Thank you Sam.
Your making me curious, I have heard of dryer balls but never thought they would work. Now you went ahead and posted some, so they must work. With our very large dog anything to help reduce laundry static is a great idea.
Simple tutorial worth trying, Thanks
Leanna recently posted…Buffalo Check Chalkboard Picture Frame DIY
We totally use them here and have no problem at all.
You should totally try it Leanna.
Nice way to make a dryer ball!
Thank you