We’ve recently jumped in to using essential oils with both feet and uber enthusiasm 🙂 You can read why right here, if you haven’t already. Turns out there are pretty much endless uses for them and therefore the ways they can change your life for the better are also endlessly amazing.
Exhibit A: Wool dryer balls + essential oils means you can lose the fabric softeners but save money on energy costs. Here’s how I do this with my Smart Sheep 6-Pack XL Premium 100% Wool Dryer Balls (Reusable, #1 All-Natural Fabric Softener ~ Best Ranked, Great Gift)
I’m thinking wool dryer balls must be laundry’s best kept secret — they cut down on drying time therefore saving electricity, and for someone like me usually needing to dry each load twice, that’s huge! Our dryer can dry a full load in about 40% less time with the addition of six wool balls. It used to take me two full 60 minute cycles to dry a load. Now I can dry a full load in one 60 minute cycle and only sometimes need to restart for another 10 or 15 minutes. So though there are no specific results promised, I have found this saves my family around 40% per load at a minimum.
I’ve never been one to use chemical laden fabric softeners so the fact that you can also scent laundry naturally by adding a few drops of essential oils is a fun bonus. Other reasons I’m a fan include:
- Reduced static cling.
- Reducing wrinkles and making the laundry softer.
- Handmade out of natural material. Since they are 100% wool, you aren’t left wondering about any nasty chemicals.


– Try scenting the dryer balls by placing a few drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, etc) on each ball. This will lightly scent your clothes!
– Keep dryer balls away from pets, babies, and toddlers. They will think they are fun toys.
– Reduce static further by making sure clothing is not over-dried. Try taking clothes out sooner than you usually do.
Do you have any laundry tricks or homemaking hacks you’ve discovered? Love to hear from you as always 🙂
If you’re new to using essential oils, you may want to check out Young Living’s amazing premium starter kit. We have found that was the best way for our family to get started. Learn more about why and how we use essential oils, and how you can too right here 🙂
Have a beautiful day!
Interesting! Never heard of this before.
Yeah I think it’s laundry’s best kept secret!
This is a great product. My dryer takes forever so rather than buying a new dryer I am going to try these wool balls.
Awesome! Hope it works out well for you 🙂
I was going to make myself some dryer balls a year or so ago simply based on the get rid of dryer sheets information I had. Like all too often I forgot I was going to do this project and it has yet to happen. Now that I see it cuts down on drying time too I am on it next week! I can NOT stand having to dry a load twice, which happens more often then not. Thanks for posting.
You’re welcome! Hope you’re thrilled with your results 🙂
I hang mine to dry. A bit slower, but no static and saves lots of money on electricity and on fabrics wearing out!
I’d love to be able to do that too 🙂
wau. this is amazing. I have never heard about this before. I love it though!
Glad this was helpful to you Birute!
Love this! Sharing on FB tonight.
Thanks Jenny!
GENIUS with the scented balls… I haven’t thought of doing that – but will certainly try tomorrow. Now I look forward to doing laundry.
Thanks Tove! Enjoy!!
If you need to run your dryer 2 full cycles to dry 1 load of clothes,you may need to have your dryer vent duct cleaned. When I first moved in my house,I noticed my dryer took twice as long to dry clothes. After getting the years of lint build up cleaned out of the dryer duct, drying time went back to normal. Clean dryer duct= less energy use,less wear and tear on the dryer,and safer….lint in dryer ducts is a major cause of fires. That being said,I’m going to have to get some of these wool balls to make things even more efficient 🙂
Thanks for that – good point!!
This is a great tip! I have seen several sites with instructions to make your own wool dryer balls. I hope you will have your dryer vents and your dryer cleaned! Many house fires start because of clogged up dryer vents. If it takes 2 hours to dry a load of laundry you have a problem, and a potential disaster in the making! Be safe!
Where can I find the dryer balls at?
Anyone else had a problem with oil spots showing up on their clothing when adding the oil to the wool balls? I love the wool balls but can’t put the oil on anymore after finding oil spots that weren’t there before. My friend has noticed the same problem. Any solution other than not using oils?
I haven’t tried oils on my dryer balls yet but I did read somewhere that it was recommended to allow the oil to soak into the balls a bit first. 20 mins or so to avoid oil spots on clothes. I am planning on trying to put the oils on when I start the wash to let them soak in and see if that works.
I usually put oil in the wool balls about once a week, because the essential oils are so strong, the scent lasts for a while. I used to have issues with oil spots on clothing, but let the oil soak into the ball first. ????????????????