Wild Card Wednesday: Dryer Balls

Want to reduce your costs and waste?? Here are dryer balls to enable you to get rid of your fabric softeners and dryer sheets. The dryer balls will also reduce your dry time and fluff your clothes. 

Have you ever wondered how safe your fabric softeners are?? Here is what Wikipedia has to say...Fabric softeners contain chemicals that impregnate fabric and are released over time. These chemicals may come in direct contact with the skin and may be absorbed or inhaled. Certain ingredients release formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory tests. Among other softener components are benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen). Some chemicals are neurostimulants or irritators and may be linked to central nervous system toxin exposure symptoms like headaches, disorientation, mood swings, numbness in face or extremities, memory loss, or irritability.

Most fabric softeners use petroleum-based chemicals which deplete a non-renewable source and are not easily bio-degradable.

Is that a good enough reason to get rid of the dryer sheets and fabric softeners?? 

If you need a reminder of how to make your own Laundry Soap check out our previous post here

1st step wind 100% Wool Yarn, and when you get to the desired size tuck loose end tight. You can wind the yarn around itself to start it or you can get a piece of extra fabric to start wrapping around 

2nd step, drop the ball into an old nylon and use yarn to tie the balls secure into the nylon. Make sure the balls are in there tight and can't move a lot so they will be tight and solid.  They will resemble sausage links. Then get the links soaked in water and toss into the dryer. The balls can be with other clothes or alone.  

Final product. The ball strands are felted together, and they won't come undone. Add a few drops of essential oil to ball for the fragrance of your choice.

If your ball isn't big enough you can wrap more yarn around and then dry the balls again.