It’s a known fact that a typical family launders 8 to 10 piles of clothes weekly. While that might seem a lot, there’s nothing like taking a whiff of freshly cleaned clothes right out of the dryer.
When it comes to drying clothes, you might have wondered which one between dryer balls vs. dryer sheets is better. While dryer sheets have been around longer than dryer balls, the latter also comes with its uses and set of pros and cons.
If you’re weighing on the best option for your laundry, we’re here to help you differentiate between them.
What Do Dryer Sheets Do?
Dryer sheets are pieces of non-woven fabric coated with chemicals and compounds like fabric softeners. They make your clothes soft, with a reduced static cling and a fresh fragrance. As a more classic option, they are easy to use and are familiar to several people.
They are made of either cloth and paper, which comes in either flat or ball shape. Dryer sheets are not reusable, as several brands are developing biodegradable dryer sheets and use all-natural scents.
As you place them inside your dryer, they dissolve in your laundry during the drying cycles. Dryer sheets often leave your clothes with a scented fragrance after the laundry heats up, thanks to chemicals like water softeners, perfumes, and preservatives.
Dryer Sheets: Pros
- Soften fabrics
- Eliminate static clings
- Effective in any laundry load size
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Dryer Sheets: Cons
- Contain chemicals that can irritate your skin
- Not environment-friendly
- Can form greasy-looking stains on clothes
- Leave residue inside the dryer
- Disposable
- Do not restrict laundry time
Due to their chemical content, dryer sheets have also lost their popularity. Manufacturers have noted this and developed a chemical-free alternative to dryer sheets, which are dryer balls.
How do dryer balls work?
Apart from softening clothes and reducing static like dryer sheets, dryer balls have an additional purpose: to reduce drying time. Unlike dryer sheets, they are made of wool or plastic and do not contain added compounds and chemicals. They help you dry your laundry more quickly, as they create air and space between your clothes.
Plastic dryer balls allow you to customize your scent. They also have spikes to increase airflow. Wool dryer balls – a preferred option – are a more natural way to add essential oils. Both come at different prices, so your choice would be based on personal preference and budget.
Remember that when using dryer balls, one is never enough for small and large laundry loads. Use 6 to 10 dryer balls for a larger load. A smaller load usually uses 3 to 6 balls to make the most out of this drying product. Using more than what is recommended would not have any difference from using less.
You must be thinking, “how long do dryer balls last?” – Compared to dryer sheets, dryer balls are reusable and can last up to one year, which is equivalent to 1,000 loads of laundry. Both wool and plastic dryer balls last for a long time, though wool may unravel after a while.
Dryer Balls: Pros
- Made from natural and sustainable materials; good for the environment
- Reusable
- Permit an even hot air circulation
- Reduce drying time by up to 25%
- Odorless
- Manage temperature setting, thus minimizing clothing damage
- Fluff clothes while reducing wrinkles and static cling
- Soften Clothes
- Inexpensive
- Save hundreds on gas and electricity
- No health risks; best for sensitive skin
Dryer Balls: Cons
- Loud noise when bouncing off the walls of your dryer during the process
- Unraveled wool can move into the lint drawer
- Do not remove static and soften clothes as dryer sheets
- Do not give off any fragrance unless with added essential oils
- Must be managed
- Not ideal for large loads of laundry
Which Kinds of Dryer Sheets or Dryer Balls Should You Choose?
There are notable brands of dryer sheets that you can buy in supermarkets or online stores. These brands usually differ minimally, usually when it comes to their chemical makeup and fragrance. If you decide on using dryer sheets, you can test out some brands first before buying bulks.
Dryer balls – either plastic or wool – are all safe, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic for all types of clothing materials. Like dryer sheets, various dryer balls only differ minimally. Plastic dryer balls have spikes to catch folds and create space, while wool balls use heavyweight to plow through clothing and separate them.
Plastic/Wool Balls vs. Dryer Sheets: Choosing The Best For Your Laundry
The decision for dryer balls vs. dryer sheets will depend on your needs and preferences. Both of these are good options for drying your laundry for different reasons. If you prefer fragrant, soft clothes, dryer sheets are an ideal choice. For an eco-friendly, less energy-using, and reusable option, dryer balls are the best.
Despite their boon and bane, both drying products are easy to use and affordable. You can switch between these two depending on your needs.
Still, with benefits that extend to Mother Earth, dryer balls promote greener laundry.
Go Green With Kelly’s Dry Cleaners
Going green should still be a priority to help make a better world. Choosing between dryer balls vs. dryer sheets is a step in caring for and protecting the environment while you do your laundry.
For well-trusted and efficient green earth cleaning in Durango, choose Kelly’s Dry Cleaners. For inquiries, call us today!
