If you've just bought wool dryer balls, or you're wondering whether they're worth a few pounds, this guide covers the practical bits: how to use them, how many to put in, what they realistically do, and how to look after them so they last.
What are wool dryer balls?
Wool dryer balls are tightly felted balls of wool that go into the tumble dryer with your wet washing. As the drum turns, they bounce between items, stopping sheets, towels and jumpers from clumping into a damp ball in the middle. Because they're made of wool, they're quiet in the drum and reusable for many loads. When they eventually wear out, they're a natural fibre rather than plastic.
Our BARYAH XL Wool Dryer Balls are 100% felted New Zealand wool. Each ball is about 7 cm across and weighs around 40 g, and every pack comes with a cotton storage bag.
How to use wool dryer balls: step by step
- Check the care labels first. Only tumble dry items whose labels allow it, and use the programme your dryer manual recommends.
- Load the dryer loosely. Dryer balls need space to move. An overstuffed drum stops them doing anything useful and won't dry evenly anyway.
- Add the balls on top of the wet laundry, spread out rather than in one clump.
- Run your normal drying programme.
- Take the balls out with the washing and let them air-dry fully before you put them back in their bag.
That's it. There's no soaking, charging or special settings.
Should you add essential oils?
Some people add a few drops of essential oil to wool balls for scent. Expert Reviews mentions this as an alternative to dryer sheets. If you want to try it, check your tumble dryer manual first and let the oil soak in fully before the ball goes in the drum. If in doubt, leave them unscented.
How many wool dryer balls per load?
Most makers recommend three to six wool balls per load, according to Expert Reviews' tumble dryer ball test. The right number depends on how much is in the drum. As a rule of thumb:
| Load | Suggested number of balls | Pack that fits |
|---|---|---|
| Small load (a few tops, baby clothes, a half load) | 3–4 | 4-pack |
| Everyday mixed load | 4–6 | 6-pack |
| Big loads: towels, bedding, a family wash | 6–8 | 8-pack |
If items are still clumping, add a ball or two. If the balls can barely move, take some laundry out instead.
Do wool dryer balls actually work? An honest answer
It depends what you expect.
- Softer, fluffier towels: this is where wool balls do best. In Expert Reviews' hands-on test, the wool balls gave the best result for fabric softness of the three ball types tried, and towels came out "fluffier and more tactile" than with no ball (Expert Reviews).
- Less tangling: by tumbling between items, the balls help keep sheets and long sleeves from twisting together.
- Shorter drying times and lower bills: don't count on it. In that same test the wool balls cut only about five minutes off a towel load. Australian consumer group CHOICE found dryer balls made little difference to energy use in its machines. Results vary with your dryer, the load and the fabrics, so we don't promise a fixed saving.
Our view: buy wool dryer balls as a reusable, low-fuss way to get softer, less tangled laundry. Don't buy them expecting a big cut in your energy bill.
Wool dryer balls vs fabric softener
Many people use wool balls instead of liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets for towels and everyday cottons. Unlike softener, there's nothing to measure, nothing to buy each week and no residue going into the wash. Softener and balls work at different stages (in the wash vs in the dryer), so you can use either or both. It comes down to preference.
What not to put in the dryer with them
- Woollen jumpers and knitwear. Which? advises against tumble drying woollens at all. In its snapshot test, five of six dryer wool programmes shrank jumpers, and a dryer ball is "unlikely to prevent your favourite jumper from shrinking". Dry knitwear flat instead.
- Anything labelled "do not tumble dry".
- Hard plastic balls in a dryer that's still under warranty. Which? also suggests checking your manual or warranty before using dryer balls. Wool balls are gentler than hard plastic ones, but it's worth a quick check.
How to care for wool dryer balls
- Let them dry out after every load before storing them in the cotton bag. Don't seal them away damp.
- Store them somewhere dry, not on a windowsill that gets condensation.
- Check them now and then. A little fuzz or pilling is normal with felted wool. If a ball starts to come apart or loses its shape, replace it.
- Keep them away from pets and small children, who may chew them.
When to replace them
There's no fixed number of loads. It depends on how often you tumble dry and what you dry. Replace the balls when they've shrunk noticeably, started to unravel or split, or you're no longer seeing the softening and anti-tangle effect. Larger households drying every day will get through them faster than someone who tumble dries once a week.
Quick checklist
- Use 3–4 balls for small loads, 4–6 for everyday loads, 6–8 for towels and bedding
- Don't overload the drum
- Follow the care labels and your dryer manual
- Air-dry the balls between uses
- Expect softer, less tangled laundry, not a guaranteed lower bill
Shop the range: all laundry & home essentials · 4-pack · 6-pack · 8-pack
FAQ
How many wool dryer balls should I use?
Three to six is the usual recommendation from makers, according to Expert Reviews. Use the lower end for small loads and add more (up to 8) for big loads of towels or bedding.
Do wool dryer balls reduce drying time?
Sometimes slightly, but don't rely on it. Independent tests found small or no differences in drying time and energy use. Their main benefits are softer, less tangled laundry.
Can I use wool dryer balls instead of fabric softener?
Many people do for towels and everyday cottons. It's a matter of preference. They work in the dryer, while softener goes in the wash.
Can I tumble dry wool jumpers with dryer balls?
We wouldn't. Which? recommends drying woollens flat because tumble dryer heat can shrink them, with or without a dryer ball.
How do I store wool dryer balls?
Let them dry fully after each load, then keep them in the cotton bag somewhere dry.
Are wool dryer balls noisy?
They're much quieter than hard plastic dryer balls because felted wool is soft.
Which pack size should I buy?
The 4-pack suits smaller households and half loads, the 6-pack suits most everyday washing, and the 8-pack is best if you regularly dry big loads of towels or bedding.