Many of us grew up learning that dryer sheets are a necessity for laundry. They make your clothes softer, reduce static cling, and offer up some crisp, fresh scents. With this norm ingrained into our minds, it’s fair to say that we don’t think twice when we throw a sheet or two into the dryer. However, there are a surprising number of reasons to skip the dryer sheets and replace them with wool dryer balls. Read on to find out why.
Benefits of Quitting Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are coated in toxic chemicals that provide their scent and softening capabilities. The effects of these chemicals can range from irritating to downright dangerous. For example, one study found that breathing in fragrances (like those in dryer sheets) causes eye and airway irritation, migraines, asthma attacks, and allergic skin reactions. Just some of the harmful ingredients in dryer sheets include:
- Benzyl acetate - linked to pancreatic cancer
- Benzyl alcohol - known upper respiratory tract irritant
- Limonene - known carcinogen
- Chloroform - known carcinogen and neurotoxin
- Ethanol - linked to central nervous system disorders
The good news? Dryer balls contain none of the above. Just plain wool.
| If you love dryer sheets for their amazing scents, you can simply add a few drops of essential oils to your dryer balls and get the same effect. |
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Dryer sheets are good for just a single load. That means the average family throws away 7 to 14 dryer sheets per week. It might not seem so damaging, but when multiplied around the world, the waste adds up quickly! With wool dryer balls, there’s no single-use nonsense.
Dryer sheets are made of nonwoven polyester fabric. Polyester is a synthetic fabric, made from petroleum - meaning, it is essentially plastic. While plastic is convenient, cheap, and durable, it doesn’t biodegrade. It breaks down into microplastics, which end up everywhere on our planet, including in the oceans and on mountaintops.
While we can try to recycle single-use plastic, it isn’t an effective answer. Currently, 91% of all plastic isn’t recycled - it finds its way to landfills or into the environment. Globally, we create 300 million tons of new plastic each year, with half of that being single-use items. Anything we can do to limit plastic use is a step in the right direction - and wool dryer balls are part of that solution.
While we can try to recycle single-use plastic, it isn’t an effective answer. Currently, 91% of all plastic isn’t recycled - it finds its way to landfills or into the environment. Globally, we create 300 million tons of new plastic each year, with half of that being single-use items. Anything we can do to limit plastic use is a step in the right direction - and wool dryer balls are part of that solution.
The average family does about 7 loads of laundry per week - that’s 364 loads per year. That means they are buying a few boxes of dryer sheets every year — not exactly breaking the bank, but it would be nice to not have to buy them anymore!
You can reuse dryer balls for a LONG time. In fact, if your wool dryer balls seem like they’ve had it, you can wash them with hot water and dry them on the high heat setting. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to your wool dryer balls when you recharge them to freshen them. Wool dryer balls have a long life, and you can recharge them an average of 1,000 times before you need to replace them.
Additionally, wool dryer balls work by helping to separate layers of laundry as the dryer tumbles and allowing for better air circulation and moisture evaporation (they also fluff your laundry, leaving it super soft!). They reduce drying time by 25-30%, helping you save money on your energy bill!
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When you run out of dryer sheets, you can grab your own wool dryer balls here! |
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| Or check out the Fresh and Dry Laundry Bundle of Intention, which includes 4 wool dryer balls and 3 essential oils! |
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Before you go, be sure to leave a comment below with your best plastic-free, eco-friendly laundry advice. 🥰
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