Disadvantages Of Using Dryer Balls When Doing The Laundry

Cleanliness isn't the only goal of doing laundry. It's also nice to enjoy fresh-smelling, super-soft clothes, towels, and bedding. Many people say you should be using dryer balls as a perfect eco-friendly way to achieve some of these results. But dryer balls have disadvantages too, like making noise, not having any fragrance, and requiring maintenance. It's important to keep these cons in mind before making a decision about what to put in the dryer with your fabrics.

Typically made out of wool or plastic, dryer balls are one of the most common alternatives to dryer sheets and fabric softener. Those products can leave a waxy residue on laundry over time and they contain chemicals that may irritate the skin and harm the environment. They're also disposable, which means you have to keep buying them over and over again. In contrast, dryer balls can be reused hundreds of times, and fans say that they provide the same benefits. By separating laundry as it tumbles in the dryer, dryer balls reduce friction between fabrics and spread out the heat more evenly. That means quicker drying, fewer wrinkles, and softer laundry. But dryer balls don't excel as much at certain things as dryer sheets, and you should consider their downsides before using them.

Along with the downsides below, also keep in mind that dryer balls are typically more costly upfront than dryer sheets – especially when it comes to wool types. However, because they last so long, dryer balls may actually save you money in the long run.

When you use dryer balls for wrinkle-free laundry, prepare to hear some extra noise as the balls hit the walls of the machine. The thumping is especially loud with plastic dryer balls but can happen with wool balls, too. If you hope to muffle the sound by adding extra laundry to the load, don't bother. This may reduce the effectiveness of the dryer balls, which need space to move around.

If you're using dryer balls as an alternative to dryer sheets or fabric softener, you may be disappointed by the lack of freshness. Dryer balls are typically unscented, so they don't leave any fragrance behind. Your laundry will come out smelling exactly like it did when it went in. While you could add your own essential oil to the dryer balls, the effect is often fainter and less long-lasting. Some say that dryer balls are also less effective than dryer sheets at softening and fluffing laundry and reducing static — all tradeoffs for being chemical-free.

Finally, while dryer balls should last for up to 1,000 loads, you'll need to maintain them to keep them in good shape. Wool balls tend to accumulate lint from the rest of your laundry, and the wool may start to unravel and create extra lint of its own. You can extend the life of your wool dryer balls by using a separate set for lights and darks and occasionally giving them a refresh. Wash them in a mesh bag, dry them, and remove lint or hair from the surface. Because this maintenance isn't required when using other options, this is a con you should consider.