Dryer Sheets Vs Balls: What Makes Them Different, And When Should You Use Each

There is nothing quite like removing a warm load of clean laundry from your dryer. The fresh-smelling fabrics might be the highlight of your laundry day, making all of your hard work worth it. You might even choose to enhance the experience with fragrant dryer sheets or dryer balls. If you opted for either of these products at random without analyzing the uses of each, you may be in for a surprise. Dryer sheets should be used for those times when you want fragranced laundry or if you need to wash large loads. Meanwhile, you should substitute dryer sheets for dryer balls if you need your laundry to be non-irritating for sensitive skin or need to quickly dry your clothes.

It is important to understand the differences between dryer sheets and dryer balls so that you can be sure you are using the right product for your needs. The main difference between the two products is the substances they are made out of. Dryer balls are typically made of either wool, plastic, or rubber. They're usually not fragranced and do not contain the waxy coating found on dryer sheets. On the other hand, dryer sheets are usually made of polyester or fiber cellulose and coated with a waxy film that's usually fragranced. These differences mean that these two products work differently in many ways.

Dryer sheets might be the more popular choice because they are often fragranced and may also be more readily-available at stores. This product helps to eliminate static cling and softens clothing as it tumbles around with your clothes in your dryer. However, the strong smell and waxy coating on many dryer sheets comes with downsides. The wax on dryer sheets can create a layer of film over your lint trap that would need to be scrubbed away with dish soap and a toothbrush. Additionally, dryer sheets can even get caught in your lint trap, creating a fire hazard. 

Laundry balls are typically free of fragrance and a waxy coating, so they will not cause the same problems. Not only does that make them better for your appliance, but it also makes them ideal for those with sensitive skin. Wool dryer balls may even decrease drying time, depending on the type of fabric you are drying. This is because wool is a very absorbent material. Dryer balls are also reusable, making them an environmentally-friendly option. However, dryer balls come with their own downsides as well. Unlike dryer sheets, they are not ideal for large loads of laundry. Additionally, wool dryer balls can eventually begin shedding and leave pieces in your lint trap. Despite these differences, both dryer sheets and dryer balls reduce static cling and help soften clothes.

If you are a huge fan of dryer sheets, you may be wondering why you should be using dryer balls on certain occasions. These products are not necessarily interchangeable. There are instances where you will find one to be more beneficial than the other. For example, those with sensitive skin might consider using wool dryer balls on loads of laundry that will come into direct contact with their skin, as the fragrances in dryer sheets can cause irritation. Wool dryer balls are also best to use during those times when you need to dry clothes quickly. As previously mentioned, wool's absorbency helps speed up the drying process.

Dryer sheets are the perfect way to add fragrance to your clothes post-wash. They should be used when you want to leave a certain scent on a blanket or if you want to get the most out of a washable area rug by adding fragrance. Of course, you can also use them for any loads of clothes that you want fragranced. Dryer balls can get pretty loud as they tumble around in the drum of your machine, so you should also use dryer sheets when you need minimal noise. This might include nighttime laundry sessions, for example. Finally, you may also want to use dryer sheets for large loads. This is because you need to use as many as seven dryer balls for large laundry loads, and you may not have this many on hand.