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Did you know dryer sheets and most laundry soaps can be some of the biggest offenders of toxins in our home?

Here’s the thing: there’s so much we cannot control, but for the things we can, and use daily, why wouldn’t we do a little research and make safer swaps for our families? At the very least, we should be aware of what is in them! I use two resources in our home to identify how toxic our products are. One is EWG.ORG/SKINDEEP and the other is the Think Dirty APP. Both are apps that you can use to scan barcodes in your home, and see how toxic your current products are. Pretty cool, right?

It can be slightly terrifying when you start scanning your products, but remember: make small changes and do the best you can. Switching out toxic dryer sheets for wool dryer balls was a no-brainer.

In closet with clothes using wool dryer balls

Why I use Wool Dryer Balls

The average household contains about 62 toxic chemicals. We’re exposed to them daily, from the phthalates in synthetic fragrances to the noxious fumes in oven cleaners. Ingredients in common household products have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity. I am in no way trying to scare you here, but these are facts, and knowledge is power. If you know better, you can do better!

Why are dryer sheets toxic?

Dryer sheets contain fragrance and other chemicals that can trigger asthma and disrupt hormones. With this on your clothes, they rub and absorb into your skin (which is your biggest organ) all day and outgas in your closet.  Now in a prefect world, you’d be able to easily choose which products are safe for your family by looking at the labels and ingredients, but did you know manufacturers aren’t required to disclose which ingredients are harmful? It’s super upsetting, hence why I want to spread the word so everyone can be aware of it.

There was recently a study conducted that tested five name brand dryer sheets and it showed that the dryer sheets emitted 15 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and chemicals associated with asthma. Evidence from studies suggests that EDCs can affect developing reproductive and nervous systems, metabolism, and cancer. No thank you. Ditching them is such an easy way to avoid the harmful effects.

What are dryer balls?

Wool dryer balls are balls that you toss in your dryer instead of a dryer sheet. You can add essential oils to them for scent if you want, too!
 
Here are the benefits:
  • Decrease your energy bill: Using dryer balls allow you to reduce heat settings and speed up drying time from 10-25% depending on the size of the load and how many dryer balls you use. Dryer balls help circulate air in the dryer, allowing the laundry to dry more quickly!
  • Save you money: Within a few short months wool dryer balls pay for themselves. Dryer balls last much longer and cost much less than using dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener!
  • Made to last: Dryer balls should last for over 1,000 loads or roughly 3-5 years.
  • Reduce your carbon footprint
  • Decrease your exposure to chemicals

Best wool dryer balls

Read why I switched my cleaning products and what I use that’s safer here!

How to Use Wool Dryer Balls

  • Add 3 wool dryer balls to your dryer.
  • Run your dryer on medium heat cycle
  • Leave your dryer balls in the dryer for your next load!

If you are worried about static cling, add a large safety pin to one or all of your dryer balls. The charged electrons are collected by the balls and the highly conductive metal safety pins. When the pin touches the metal of the dryer, the electrons are discharged into the drum, away from the clothes, and static is reduced. Also, reduce your dryer heat setting and make sure you pull your clothes when they are dry. Already dried clothes tumbling for excessive amounts of time increase the static and your energy costs.

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls with Essential Oils

If you want them scented? Add 3-4 drops of an organic essential oil you love to each ball, and run them on the no heat setting with your laundry for ten minutes.

Which Dryer Balls to Buy

There are definitely organic options I’ve seen on Amazon (like these or these), but I trust my friends at Branch Basics (who I use for Laundry Detergent and Cleaning Supplies), so I get mine there. I trust their products because they don’t contain fillers, are made with 100% premium USA wool that does not unravel and will last for years, they are compostable for organic gardening, they are biodegradable, non-allergenic, and are made with no harmful chemicals!

Discount for you:

My friends at Branch Basics let me give you 15% off starter kit with code LEXI15! The starter set includes one 33 oz. Concentrate, three empty spray bottles, one Foaming Wash bottle, one Laundry bottle, and then I add the oxygen boost and dryer balls to my order.
 
I was not paid to write this post, though it does contain affiliate links. Here’s my promise to you. While I make a small percentage on sales used through my code, I TRUST this brand. I PERSONALLY use them in my home for my family, and no super small amount of commission is worth compromising your trust. So please trust me when I say I would never promote a product that I don’t fully stand behind.

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Wool Dryer Balls



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Comments

  2. OK so glad I found your info, I suffer from severe asthma and allergens…going to get wool dryer balls.

    Any info about product for shampoo hairspray that help us.

    Reply