Viral Scoop
general | June 14, 2026

Should I wash my dryer balls?

They don't need to be pre-washed and are completely safe to use. If you prefer to wash your dryer balls, or you will need to wash them in the future, we suggest washing them by hand with a mild soap in lukewarm water.

Do you have to wash dryer balls?

Allow them to air dry between uses to keep them fresh. If you notice that your dryer balls are starting to be less effective over time, throw them in the washing machine on high heat (this is one of the few times you need to wash with hot water) and then dry them in the dryer for a quick refresh.

How often should you wash your dryer balls?

I'd recommend recharging them once every 100 loads or so. Most wool dryer ball manufacturers say their dryer balls will last at least 1000 loads. This means you'll only need to refresh your dryer balls 10 over their lifetime.

Do you wash dryer balls with detergent?

Set your washing machine on high heat setting and let your wool dryer balls soak in it. Add a mild detergent to the washing machine. Run your washing machine in gentle cycle mode to get rid of the dirt on the dryer balls' surface. Finally, load your wool dryer balls in the dryer and let them dry on high heat.

Should I wash my wool dryer balls?

Don't toss them in the trash just yet! There are a number of ways you can freshen up your organic wool dryer balls before it's officially time to retire them. Hand wash in a mixture of mild laundry soap and warm (not hot) water.

15 related questions found

Can dryer balls damage dryer?

Unlike alternatives like drying with tennis balls or other plastic/rubber balls, wool dryer balls won't leave a burnt rubber smell lingering in your dryer or on your clothing. They also don't make loud banging sounds or damage your dryer when they are in use.

Can you wash dryer balls in the washer?

To clean the dryer balls, either use a wet cloth on their surface - adding soap or sanitizer if needed or hand washing them in soapy lukewarm water. In addition you can always just throw them in the washer with your clothes for a cycle in order to refresh them.

Can you put plastic dryer balls in the washing machine?

Harmless to the nature and all natural. They have antibacterial properties. They are hypo-allergenic and gentle on skin. Easy to use, just put them inside your washing machine.

Can you use dryer balls and dryer sheets together?

A: It is really easy to use wool dryer balls to soften and fluff your laundry. Simply toss a few of them into the dryer with your clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, and more. That's it! Don't add anything else, our dryer balls act as a natural fabric softener and decrease drying time so you won't have to wait as long.

Do dryer balls cause pilling?

Do dryer balls cause pilling? Yes, on some fabrics, and depending on which kind of dryer balls you are using. Plastic or silicone dryer balls seem to cause more damage to more delicate fabrics. Wool balls are smoother and therefore will not damage clothing or cause pilling.

How long are dryer balls good for?

If you've been using dryer balls for a while, you should remember that they typically last up to 1,000 loads of laundry or about two to three years. Even though your dryer balls may experience pilling, they are guaranteed to continue softening your clothes without the added toxic chemicals of dryer sheets.

Can you put wool dryer balls in the washing machine?

This is no problem at all. LooHoos can easily be cleaned in your washer and dryer. Just toss them in the washer on a warm water cycle and dry them in the dryer.

How many dryer balls do you use at once?

Size of load and dryer performance will determine how many balls you should use. For small to regular-sized loads, 3 balls are sufficient. For large loads, 6-8 balls, and for extra large loads all the way up to 8-12 balls.

Do laundry balls work?

The US Federal Trade Commission published in 1999 about laundry balls, rings, and discs: "Tests show that these gadgets do little more than clean out your wallet. At best, they're marginally better than washing clothes in hot water alone and not as effective as washing them with laundry detergent.

How can I make my dryer balls smell better?

The scents I recommend trying out first are lavender, lemon, tea tree, and orange. The easiest way to scent your dryer balls is to simply dab a few drops on 2-3 of the balls. Let them dry for about an hour (or quick dry them alone in your dryer) and then toss them in with your laundry.

How do you wash laundry balls in the washing machine?

How do you use them? When you first get your laundry balls, you'll want to soak them in water for 30 minutes. After that, you can simply toss them into the washing machine (on top of the clothing) before you turn it on… that's it!

Can you use dryer balls in a washer dryer combo?

Answer: I use them in my combo washer/dryer. I use the machine to wash, let the wash cycle end then start a dry cycle using the dryer balls.

How do you know when dryer balls are done?

Wool dryer balls will typically last for more than 1,000 loads or somewhere between 2-5 years of use. However, you will also know it is time to replace wool dryer balls once they begin to look scraggly. You don't want chunks of wool fiber to rip off in the the dryer.

How many times can you reuse wool dryer balls?

How long do wool dryer balls last? You will want to replace wool dryer balls approximately every 1,000 loads. If your dryer balls start to look scraggly or fall apart, it is time for a new set. It is also nice to have multiple sets of these wool balls on hand.

Can you use dryer balls in all dryers?

Safe for use in both gas and electric dryers, simply place the dryer balls in your dryer at the start of a cycle. Be sure not to overload your dryer with laundry, as this can prevent proper drying and extend drying time.

Are dryer balls better than sheets?

Pros of Dryer Balls

Dryer balls effectively reduce the time it takes for clothes to dry, which can save you hundreds in gas and electricity over time. Dryer sheets have no impact on drying time. Dryer balls, unlike dryer sheets, are reusable, which not only helps the environment but also saves you money.

How do you recharge wool dryer balls?

An easy way of restoring them is to refresh your dryer balls by washing them in hot water on a gentle cycle and then dry on high heat. This will regenerate the wool and give the dryer balls a fresh recharge.

How long do Norwex wool dryer balls last?

Our Fluff and Tumble Dryer Balls are 100 % wool to the core and hand-spun tightly. They will last up to two years, 1000 loads, in your dryer.

Can I use tennis balls as dryer balls?

Yes, that's right. One of the most creative hacks for laundry doers everywhere is to throw tennis balls in dryer machines. What does this do? It can prevent clumping of the filling of bulky items (like those mentioned above) AND create more fluff1.