DIY Wool Dryer Balls

Since this project is wonderfully simple to do and also saves you money on dryer sheets, I am filing this under the Sweet Simplicity series.

I've been using wool dryer balls for over a year now, but I needed to replace a few that had disappeared over the past year. I'm not sure whether the dog decided they were his toys or they got lost in the dryer vortex.

Probably the dog ;)

Dryer balls can help your clothes dry faster (depending on how many you use), replace dryer sheets, and also help reduce wrinkles. I've loved using them! I like to keep around 5-8 wool balls in my dryer.

Here's what you need to make DIY dryer balls:

1. 100% pure wool yarn. If it's not fully wool, then it won't felt. I used 210 yards and got about 3 balls.
2. Old stockings/nylons--the toe end :)
3. Rubber bands, string, or hair binders (in my case!)
4. Scissors

Directions:

1. Wrap a few layers of the wool around your finger, pull it off, and continue to wrap it around. It will look something like this:

2. Keep wrapping and wrapping and eventually it will look like this (a little baby yarn ball!):

3. After you have a yarn ball about the size of a baseball, push the end as deep as you can into the ball. I use a scissors to get in good. This is very important to do because otherwise the ball can unravel!

4. Once you have finished winding all your yarn balls, put them into the stocking. Use a rubber band or string to separate each on. It looks like a happy caterpillar :)

5. Using hot water settings, plop the yarn-ball caterpillar into the wash. After the wash, throw it in the dryer on high heat. I do this twice. I actually just put them in with my laundry, so I don't use up extra water :)

6. Take them out of their nylon home and make sure they have started to felt (they'll be fuzzy!).

7. Now you can use them in the dryer, and they'll continue to felt more and more with each load. You can also use some drops of essential oil to give them a lovely scent (I usually use lavender).

That's it! Super simple :) If you want your wash and dry to be all natural, try out this recipe for homemade laundry detergent (I still use it!!)

{ps. Have you heard of LiveFashionABLE? I think they are are just as (actually more!) exciting than DIY dryer balls!}

{pss. Just so you know, I am an affiliate for them because I think their purpose is super amazing + I am in love with my FashionABLE scarf!}