9 Reusable Dryer Balls Putting An Eco-Friendly Spin On Laundry Day
Bounce that toxic dryer sheet out of your life, because there’s a new player in town (erm, laundry room): reusable dryer balls.
What are dryer balls, exactly? What do dryer balls do?
Usually made from absorbent materials like wool, placing a set in your dryer creates warm air pockets, which helps the balls to soak up water in wet clothes.
Translation: reduced drying time and a big way to conserve energy at home.
Considering the average family does more than 300 laundry loads annually, that’s good news for the planet and your wallet.
Sustainable dryer balls also reduce static cling, collect pet hair, and act as an eco-friendly fabric softener alternative, so you can forget the extra plastic jug of chemicals.
What’s more, they’re reusable and long-lasting, ranging from 1000 laundry loads to lasting for infinity (and beyond!).
When they’ve finally tumbled through their last load, 100% wool dryer balls (and other organic dryer ball options) are fully compostable.
To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.
The Best Eco-Friendly Dryer Balls For Soft, Static-Free Clothes
Fluff up your favorite clothes with Friendsheep Wool’s 100% ethically-sourced and organic sheep wool dryer balls.
Or make laundry day a breeze with Earth Breeze’s set of eco-friendly wool dryer balls that are Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free.
Otherwise, Blueland’s heavy-duty compostable dryer ball pack will leave you feeling green (not blue) by replacing more than 1000 harmful plastic-based dryer sheets.
Tumble (dry) down to the end of this article to learn about how to use wool dryer balls (or a vegan alternative) and why they’re better for the environment. Or watch our short video below for the benefits and another brand (Superbee) who make organic and compostable dryer balls we can vouch for!
The Full List Of Reusable Dryer Balls
- EcoRoots | Visit Store
- Friendsheep Wool | Visit Store
- EarthBreeze | Visit Store
- Blueland | Visit Store
- Dropps | Visit Store
- Kind Laundry | Visit Store
- Tru Earth | Visit Store
- Dragonfly Dryer Balls | Visit Store
- Green & Experience | Visit Store
1. EcoRoots
About EcoRoots’ Eco-Friendly Wool Dryer Balls
Natural, compostable, and made from 100% New Zealand wool, EcoRoots is helping eliminate ocean waste with their set of six zero waste dryer balls.
Simply throw four or five balls in the dryer with your wet laundry for some chemical-free softened clothing and a softened electrical bill.
They’re good for 1,000 loads of laundry and safe to compost at end-of-life.
While not vegan, they are ethically sourced and cruelty-free.
About EcoRoots
Strengthen the roots of your sustainable lifestyle with EcoRoots.
Their eco-conscious offers include over fifty natural and zero waste products for self and home care, all packaged compostable cardboard or reusable jars and shipped plastic-free.
To further give back to the planet, EcoRoots donates a portion of their profits annually to the Ocean Conservancy.
2. Friendsheep Wool
About Friendsheep Wool’s Organic Wool Dryer Balls
Say goodbye to fabric softener and show your laundry love with the best wool dryer balls from Friendsheep Wool.
Not only are they made of fair trade and organic Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free New Zealand wool, but will reduce drying time, remove pet hair, reduce static, and soften laundry.
They won’t break apart and leave lint—even on your darkest loads—but they will break down in your indoor compost bin.
These laundry wool dryer balls are lovingly handmade for a fair wage by women and disabled artisans in Nepal, with safe and equitable working conditions, as are the accompanying unbleached cotton storage bags.
About Friendsheep Wool
So far, Friendsheep Wool’s dryer lint balls have saved enough energy to power 21,100 homes for a month and prevented the use of 4.4 million bottles of fabric softener and 445 million dryer sheets—stacked in a pile that would be 143 miles tall!
They partner with the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) in Kathmandu, Nepal to empower and aid women with disabilities through training and employment opportunities.
Friendsheep is also a member of 1% for the Planet, giving ~20% of their profits to environmental and social organizations, and planting one tree for every item sold.
All shipping is carbon-neutral in recyclable and compostable packaging.
*Also available at EarthHero
3. Earth Breeze
About Earth Breeze’s Non-Toxic Dryer Balls
Drying laundry is a breeze with Earth Breeze’s sheep wool dryer balls.
The PETA and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free wool balls absorb water from your clothes, meaning a shorter drying time, softer laundry, and more energy efficiency.
Pro tip: When you spend more than $90 online at their shop, they’ll throw in a dryer ball set for free.
About Earth Breeze
The creator of popular non-toxic laundry detergent sheets, Earth Breeze wants to green up your whole laundry routine.
Aside from dissolvable PVA in these sheets, Earth Breeze doesn’t use plastic for its products, packaging, or shipping.
Ridding the ocean of waste isn’t Earth Breeze’s only motivation. They also donate ten loads of laundry to a shelter for every detergent pack purchased, and ten meals are donated for every dishwashing detergent purchased.
They offset their carbon through We Are Neutral, are part of 1% For The Planet, and plant trees through One Tree Planted.
4. Blueland
About Blueland’s Wool Dryer Balls
You’ll be feeling anything but blue with the way Blueland’s wool dryer balls save on drying time, cost, and waste.
While not vegan, their 3-pack of New Zealand wool balls are sustainably sourced by suppliers who take care to treat sheep well and never participate in practices like mulesing.
The dryer balls can replace more than 1000 harmful plastic-based dryer sheets, and are fully compostable at end-of-life.
Revamp your whole laundry routine with the Laundry Essentials Kit, which includes 60 laundry tablets, oxi laundry booster powder, and three wool dryer balls
About Blueland
Every one of the zero waste or refillable cleaning products at Blueland is designed to “make it easy to be eco”.
The Certified B Corp offers a ton of cruelty-free and mostly vegan cleaning options, from personal care essentials to natural laundry detergent.
Conscious of reducing their footprint, Blueland is Climate Neutral Certified, Cradle2Cradle Certified, prioritizes efficient energy and water usage, and ensures worker safety and happiness.
All packaging is compostable and/or recyclable, and all shipped orders are fully carbon offset.
5. Dropps
About Dropps’ Environmentally Friendly Dryer Balls
Simply drop your Dropps wool dryer balls in the dryer with a load of laundry, and come back to unwrinkled, cling-free clothes.
In Dropps’ own words, “Wool does it better, and we have the balls to prove it.”
These XL wool oversized dryer balls are made to last—with a guarantee of 10,000 laundry loads.
The New Zealand wool is sourced from happy sheep who graze outdoor pastures and are shorn yearly in a pain-free and skillful manner.
They’re handmade in Nepal and contained in 100% recyclable packaging. Fluff yeah!
About Dropps
Dropps was one of the OG zero waste laundry detergent brands. Their biodegradable pods harness the power of plants, not petrochemicals.
Today, they’ve expanded their range of household cleaners to include things like dishwasher pods.
Everything is cruelty-free and delivered in compostable, recyclable cardboard boxes that are shipped carbon-neutral with Clearloop.
Dropps also partners with Oceana in support of ocean conservation and clean-ups.
6. Kind Laundry
About Kind Laundry’s Biodegradable Dryer Balls
Be kind to your clothing, your body, and the planet with Kind Laundry’s reusable laundry dryer balls.
They’re also made with 100% pure New Zealand wool.
Kind Laundry is so confident about their wool balls, that they kindly offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
About Kind Laundry
Toronto-based Kind Laundry keeps it so clean that they won the Better Homes & Gardens award for “Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent”.
Founders Bernard and Angie started this eco-friendly laundry detergent sheet brand, because they wanted to provide people with a safe alternative to plastic jugs and chemical-laden detergents.
Their products are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and shipped in 100% recyclable packaging.
7. Tru Earth
About Tru Earth’s Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
Be true to the Earth (and your health!) with Tru Earth’s set of four or eight 100% New Zealand non-toxic dryer balls, made without chemicals, fillers, or dyes.
They’re hypoallergenic, highly absorbent, and perfect for dispersing essential oils to leave your laundry smelling like lavender (or whatever your scent of choice).
They’re also quieter in the dryer than any synthetic counterparts or tennis balls.
These wool dryer balls are good for 1000 loads, after which they are completely compostable.
About Tru Earth
Based in British Columbia and revered for their low waste laundry detergent papers, Tru Earth has eliminated more than 6 million plastic laundry soap jugs thus far from the Earth.
This also cuts down on 94% of shipping emissions, since paper strips are much lighter to ship than liquid jugs.
Their products are also available by subscription, and for each new subscription, Tru Earth donates 32-load eco-strips to front-line workers, food banks, and shelters.
Tru Earth’s laundry products are cruelty-free and made in Canada.
8. Dragonfly Dryer Balls
About Dragonfly Dryer Balls’ Vegan Dryer Balls
With dryer balls, wool is the material of choice because it’s excellently suited for the task—but that doesn’t mean vegan dryer balls don’t exist.
For proof, look no further than Dragonfly Dryer Balls’ organic hemp and bamboo dryer balls, which will tumble away static cling and reduce drying time for your laundry.
Dragonfly offers two kinds: regular and activated charcoal.
Both are hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and effective for about 1000 loads, but the latter contains extra antibacterial benefits.
They also naturally contain negative ions and minerals, which promote better health.
Add essential oils to either dryer balls for further therapeutic benefits and scent.
About Dragonfly Dryer Balls
An Etsy store celebrated by customers for friendly service, Dragonfly Dryer Balls makes their products out of Oregon—perfect for those seeking non-wool dryer balls made in the USA.
According to shop owner Deneen, “I was passionate about creating an Animal, Earth, and Human friendly product, as an alternative to wool dryer balls and dryer sheets…..Bamboo dryer balls were born!”
9. Green & Experience
About Green & Experience Vegan Dryer Balls
It’s all about plant power when it comes to Green & Experience’s organic cotton, and organic water grass, and organic hemp dryer balls, offered in sets of three.
Holistic, botanical, hypoallergenic, and totally plant-based, these vegan dryer balls work the same as wool—and significantly reduce static according to rave reviews on Etsy.
They also leave a light and fresh botanical scent.
About Green & Experience
Green & Experience is an Etsy Star Seller offering a small range of eco-friendly goods sent in minimalist zero-waste packaging.
Though mainly purveyors of vegan dyer balls, the store also sells vegan soap, vegan dog fetch toys, and vegan seaweed-infused reusable face cloths.
You can be sure of smooth dispatch, speedy service, and customer satisfaction with Green & Experience. Etsy also carbon offsets all shipping.
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Why Choose Reusable Dryer Balls?
Are dryer balls eco-friendly?
When comparing all-natural dryer balls vs dryer sheets, there are numerous environmental and health benefits to choose the former.
Most disposable dryer sheets are made from a non-woven polyester (a type of plastic) that is coated with a synthetic softening agent, fragrances, and other chemicals.
When vented from the dryer, they release a number of unsafe pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the home, such as acetaldehyde and benzene.
In one study, five name brand dryer sheets were tested and found to emit 15 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and chemicals associated with asthma.
Evidence also suggested these EDCs could affect a person’s metabolism, developing reproductive and nervous systems, and even cancer.
That’s not even to speak of the chemicals in the fabric softener they also replace.
Swapping unhealthy dryer sheets for all-natural wool dryer balls will protect your loads of laundry, your home’s air quality, AND the planet.
How To Use Dryer Balls
We know what dryer balls are used for, but what is the proper way to use wool dryer balls?
Luckily, it’s probably the easiest part of laundry day:
- If you want scented dryer balls, add a few drops of essential oil to each dryer ball twenty minutes before use.
- Add your wet clothing to the dryer with two to six dryer balls.
- Turn on your dryer and set a timer. Your clothing dry time should be reduced anywhere from 25–40%
- When your laundry is dry, your wool dryer balls will be wet. To get them ready for the next load, store them in a well-ventilated place, not in a sealed plastic bag or container.
- Every 100 loads of laundry, wash your dryer balls in a cotton bag with cold water.
How many times can you use dryer balls?
In other words, how long do dryer balls last?
This is one fabric softener alternative that lasts. Some cite about 1000 loads, which, even for the biggest, most laundry intensive families, should mean years and years. Some felted wool dry balls might even last a lifetime.
You’ll know it’s time to replace the wool kind by visually inspecting their level of deterioration. Remember, if the dryer ball is pilling, it’s doing its job.
At end-of-life, if it’s pure wool, you can shred each dryer ball apart into as small of pieces as possible and compost them.
Are dryer balls effective?
While everyone will have a slightly different answer to the question, “Do dryer balls work?” the consensus is yes. Reviews largely rave over their ability to soften clothes, remove static, and reduce dry time.
The more balls you use, the more water will get absorbed and the shorter your drying time will be.
If you’re worried about whether dryer balls damage dryers, don’t be. They’re soft enough to never dent the inside of your wash drum or throw off the mechanisms.
This isn’t necessarily the case for certain eco-friendly dryer ball DIY solutions, like putting lacrosse or tennis balls in the dryer.
How We Found The Best Dryer Balls
When it comes to dryer balls, wool is the most common material used, but they can also be made of cotton, hemp, bamboo.
Or you might see less-sustainable foam, rubber, velcro, or plastic dryer balls. While these might replace fabric softener and take away the static, they aren’t able to absorb water (no shortened drying time) and risk releasing microplastics.
If you use sheep wool dryer balls, organic and ethically sourced wool is best. Look for those with cruelty-free certifications or who specify their wool comes from non-mulesed sources.
All of our wool options are sourced from 100% New Zealand wool, a country that prohibits mulesing and has high animal welfare standards.
For vegan options, we made sure to opt for plastic-free, organic materials that can match the success of wool dryer balls in the dryer.
Happy sheep aside, we looked for other ethical production practices (fair trade suppliers and treatment of workers), zero waste packaging, carbon offset programs, emission reducing practices, and charitable endeavors.
Final Thoughts On Sustainable Dryer Balls
In summer months, it’s best to line dry your clothing. But in the cooler months, investing in dryer balls is effective to zap static, reduce drying times, fluff laundry, and save on energy bills.
Dryer balls are an effective way to ditch chemical-laden softeners and plastic-based dryer sheets—neither of which are healthy for the environment or our skin.
You’ll have a ball greenifying your laundry routine thanks to how efficient and handy eco-friendly dryer balls are, so pass along the fun by sharing this article with fellow laundry doers (so, everyone!).
Or if you’re wondering, “What can I use instead of dryer balls?” check out our full list of dryer sheet alternatives.
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