8 Genius Ways To Repurpose Old Dryer Balls Around The House

Wool dryer balls are the little spheres that could, going strong for an average of 1,000 cycles to help dry your clothes. Not only do they improve the speed at which your garments dry, while reducing static and wrinkles, but they're an all-natural, sustainable option, and gentle alternative to fabric softeners. Eventually dryer balls must be replaced, but as an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets or plastic dryer balls, it doesn't make sense to just toss them in the trash. With a little creativity, you can repurpose dryer balls throughout your home. 

You might be surprised at the many uses dryer balls can offer long after you retire them from your laundry routine. From using them for creative crafts to repurposing them as toys for your furry friends, here's our list of eight ways you can reuse wool dryer balls in various spaces around your home, including your backyard, closets, and car. 

Unlike the plastic options, all-natural wool dryer balls are compostable. Researchers at Wales' Aberystwyth University say composting wool shows promise for slug and snail reduction, as well as weed growth. Depending on its environment, it can take three months to two years for wool to fully biodegrade, which creates a gradual, slow release of nitrogen into the soil. With this feature, wool presents a sustainable alternative to peat, which is non-renewable and releases carbon gas into the environment at harvest. No compost pile? Consider offering your dryer balls to a composting friend or family member.

Want some adorable ornaments to hang on a tree or use as decoration? Grab your wool dryer balls and make them into an ornament. Following blogger Lily Ardor's tutorial, you can craft a large wool acorn with pine cone scales, a paper mache egg, twine, and wire cutters. If hot gluing and cutting pine cone scales doesn't seem appealing, try painting the balls to transform them into reindeers, snowmen, or Santa Claus. Wool dryer ball ornaments are excellent choices for kids to decorate with, plus won't shatter if a rambunctious pet jumps onto your tree.

Add some extra fragrance with a DIY air freshener ball with your favorite essential oil. You only need to apply two to three drops to the wool. Try a scent like lavender or chamomile to help promote relaxing slumber, then stash the scented dryer ball in your pillow. You can use these DIY air fresheners in other areas, such as musty closets, drawers, your car, and any space that needs a bit of refresh. If you have a pair of stinky shoes, consider putting cast-off dryer balls in them to absorb smells, as wool features bacteria and odor resistance.

Sewing aficionados and crafters alike can probably always use a pin cushion to keep their pins and needles handy. You don't need to buy a pin cushion though — stick your pins in your dryer ball and voila! If you want to dress up the ball a bit, try wrapping up the wool ball with a piece of colorful fabric, then tie or glue the ends underneath. One fun way to display your new homemade pin cushion is to place it inside a teacup, which is a clever way to repurpose old teacups from the thrift store or your china cabinet.

That old wool dryer ball is can become your child's favorite new toy. They're a handy alternative to a wiffle ball or other harder ball options when playing outside. Practicing fine motor skills with your little ones is important, so they make excellent ways to practice ball rolling, sorting activities, and catching. Have a stack of empty soup cans you want to use around the house? Decorate them with non-toxic paint, then stack them in a triangle. Add a dryer ball, and you have a DIY bowling game.

Who said kids should have all of the fun? Repurpose your dryer balls into soft pet toys. You can practice rolling them to your dog, or sprinkle them with catnip for your cat. Your feline friend may go wild and enjoy chasing the balls throughout the house — plus they're safer than yarn balls, which pose a choking hazard. If using dryer balls with pets, always use ones that are unscented, as essential oils can be harmful to animals if ingested.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that 20% of air infiltrates through openings in your windows, doors, and skylights. Use unwanted pantyhose or a scarf and old dryer balls to make a DIY draft stopper and improve your energy efficiency by reducing the amount of air that seeps in through openings. Measure the length of your door, then cut the tights or scarf to fit, if needed. Add three to four balls to make a stuffed tube, filling gaps with socks or fabric scraps. Tie the ends and enjoy the less-drafty space with your new draft blocker.

Dryer balls are perfect for the craft lover, as they have use in a variety of projects. For instance, you can easily remove the wool from the ball and use it in needle felting projects, such as making decorative animals, instead of buying brand new wool. Crafter The Needle Felter turned a fraying dryer ball into an adorable bunny, but the possibilities are limitless, as needle felting projects encompass a range of designs, from plants to monsters. Other crafting projects could include large garlands and table centerpieces.