A dryer ball is a spherical laundry device for tumbling clothes dryers used as an alternative to

fabric softener A fabric softener (American English) or fabric conditioner (British English) is a conditioner that is applied to laundry during the rinse cycle in a washing machine to reduce harshness in clothes that are dried in air after machine washing. In con ...

, reducing static electricity or softening clothing, or to accelerate the drying process.

Material composition

Dryer balls are typically manufactured out of

felted A felted material is a hairy or filamentous (hairy-like) fibre that is densely packed or tangled, forming felt or felt-like structures. Anatomy and zoology The dermis is described in Gray's Anatomy as "felted connective tissue, with a varyi ...

wool Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have properties similar to animal wool. ...

(the original material used for manufacture), rubber, or plastic. Wool variants are typically smooth, while rubber or plastic variants typically include spiked protrusions and may be shaped differently than a sphere. Rubber and plastic balls are more durable than woolen ones, which need periodic replacement depending on frequency of use.

Mechanism of action

Dryer balls are said to act as a moving buffer, preventing wet laundry from coalescing in the dryer, allowing increased air flow. The material and design of the ball varies its properties: wool balls are said to absorb moisture, accelerating drying. Conventional fabric softener often gives a fragrance via

aroma compound An aroma compound, also known as an odorant, aroma, fragrance or flavoring, is a chemical compound that has a smell or odor. For an individual chemical or class of chemical compounds to impart a smell or fragrance, it must be sufficiently v ...

to clothing. While typically unscented by default, wool dryer balls can be used to perfume laundry via application of essential oils to the balls before use.

Disputed efficacy

The efficacy of plastic dryer balls was disputed by ''

Popular Mechanics ''Popular Mechanics'' (sometimes PM or PopMech) is a magazine of popular science and technology, featuring automotive, home, outdoor, electronics, science, do-it-yourself, and technology topics. Military topics, aviation and transportation o ...

'' who, in 2009, published experiment results in which staff were unable to find any beneficial effects.

Purported benefits

Eco-friendly

Dryer balls are touted to be environmentally friendly for varying reasons versus conventional fabric softeners. Conventional softeners primarily function chemically, employing quaternary ammonium cation or stearic acid, which is either suspended in liquid or applied to polyester in the case of dryer sheets. Dryer balls function mechanically and are reusable, compared to dryer sheets which are typically one-use products. Wool dryer balls are typically biodegradable, however can sometimes be chemically altered or bleached, reducing eco-friendliness. The increased drying speeds claimed by using dryer balls helps reduce energy use.

Hypoallergenic

Dryer balls are sometimes touted as

hypoallergenic Hypoallergenic, meaning "below average" or "slightly" allergenic, is a term meaning that something (usually cosmetics, pets, textiles, food, etc.) causes fewer allergic reactions. The term was first used in 1953 in an advertising campaign for cos ...

or better for those with sensitive skin as they typically do not apply artificial softening agents or fragrances to clothing. The

Environmental Working Group The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an American activist group that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability. EWG is a nonprofit ...

says to avoid essential oils used to perfume some wool dryer balls, as some oils are known to cause skin reactions.

References

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