The Amazing Dryer Balls »
The other day I picked up a package of The Amazing Dryer Balls at the store. At $10, the price is pretty steep - but if they could indeed save the cost of a lot of dryer sheets, I figured it would be worth it.
The end result? The advertised features work pretty well. The clothes do seem to be softer. They may or may not dry any faster. But while they help with static, they don't prevent it - so I still find myself sticking a dryer sheet in with each load to handle that problem.
That said, the dryer balls should prevent the need for more than one dryer sheet (for heavy or large loads), as they do seem to separate things well. A single sheet should then be able to take care of the static issue. I'll keep you posted on our progress with that method.
Comments (14)
We don't use the dryer sheets. My wife cannot stand the smell. She's real picky that way. I have also had a reaction on my skin from them.
Posted by Ted | February 1, 2006 8:02 PM
I picked up these dryer balls at the Philadelphia Home Show. I split the cost of $21.00 with a family member for 2 sets. I was very dissatisfied with them. I had to add a fabric softner sheet because the static was horrible. I didn't find my laundry to dry any faster. I don't think they work as advertised and regret the purchase. A waste of money.
Posted by Gabriella | February 7, 2006 3:11 PM
I have been using the dryer balls for some months now. I picked them up at a Sewing show in Toronto on a whim.
I have 2 long haired cats and several members of my family wear black to work. Even with a dryer sheet, everyone knew we had a bunch of cats. We were always covered in cat hair, even when putting on our clothes as we were leaving for the day. Now, we can wear the same pair of black pants another day, even after lounging at home with them on!
Our laundry is softer and our clothes don't have a fur factory stuck to them. I don't know if our clothes are drying any faster as our dryer is on its last legs but that is not why I was willing to plunk my money down. I wanted to not be covered in my beloved cats fur!
Posted by victoria Marhall | February 25, 2006 11:09 AM
One of uur set DEFLATED after only 6 months, the warranty is shacky !!!!, you pay to return the product, WITH proof of purchase, with origonal cardboard insert, and then pay $4.99 S&H, after paying the $6-7 UPS fee to return, you could buy a NEW set for less than the warranty replacment. This is misleading solicitation on the vendors part, and possibly illeagal? Be advised.
Posted by Jeff | April 13, 2006 10:14 AM
If you must return them, use USPS. A flat-rate Priority Mail envelope should hold them both, if it comes to that, for $4.05 from anywhere in the US, and will usually get there in 2-3 days.
If the package weighs less than 13oz you can send it a little cheaper, if a little slower, First Class.
Posted by Joe Blow | June 13, 2006 9:11 PM
I use dryer balls and have for some time. I love them and love the benefits of not using chemicals in my dryer. Originally I thought they didn't work so well, as there was still noticable static.
Once I reduced the drying time like it said on the instructions they worked great. I was over-drying my clothes at first, but once I reduced the time, my clothes came out fluffy and static-free.
There are many different brands of these dryer balls, but I got mine and they have been great for over a year now.
Posted by Malia | June 16, 2006 4:15 PM
I bought the dryer balls about three months ago and one of them split into two halves. I tried to use it but now I have 4 pieces. I like the way my towels feel but I feel that it was quiet expensive to only work for a couple of months befoe they fell apart. I'm trying to decide if I want to try another set?
Posted by brenda | July 10, 2006 12:24 AM
how many do you use? I only have 2 - but the packaging recommends 4-6. is it worth it to buy more? I really like them so far - though every once in a while the clothes are very static-y. I will try to reduce drying time. my other 'issue' with them is sometimes they get stuck inside a shirt or pant leg.... are they still effective if they are stuck inside an article of clothing? how do I prevent this from happening?
Posted by K | July 3, 2007 12:55 AM
Hi K -
I just use the 2. Frankly, I'm not sure if they help or not, and I'm not terribly interested in spending the money to find out if more will help.
In my opinion, they help by keeping things spinning about, and adding additional space to the load. So if they get caught (and we have the same problem), I would say that they are not as effective.
As to the static, I would say that you're going to have that (in fact, I think I mentioned it above). We still use dryer sheets for static (and to keep a fresh smell). But the dryer balls seem, if anything, to help with drying time.
I hope this helps!
Posted by Chad Everett | July 3, 2007 8:42 AM
What a great site w/ honest reviews. Better than epinions. I just bought dr. balls. If not work w/ laundry, good to lean against a wall w/ one ball against middle of back.
Move up & down = $5.00 massage for my back!
Posted by Tony | August 26, 2007 9:21 PM
Chad Everett --
I bought two more balls and I couldn't be happier. I now use 4 and I noticed a difference right away. clothes dry faster, much less static and they don't get stuck in my clothes any more.
I highly recommend using more than 2. I have the 'dryer max' dryer balls. I got them from bed bath & beyond and even had a 20% coupon from the store. I just got another coupon in the mail and I think I may use it on 2 more dryer balls.
Posted by K | August 28, 2007 2:04 PM
I bought the dryer balls about a month ago and I've been trying to see any difference, I haven't had a problem with static, but I don't think the balls have helped with the drying time...
I did notice today that my white dryer is stating to turn blue inside...! has this happened to anyone?
thanks
Posted by laura | November 25, 2007 8:54 PM
Actually, we do have that issue, but we also have other colors in there (typically red!). An unfortunate side-effect from letting the kids do laundry and trying to teach them things.
I'm not sure if it's the fault of the balls and their shoddy construction or just the fact that the kids keep the dryer running on high heat for hours at a time...
Posted by Chad Everett | November 26, 2007 7:44 AM
Bought one of the balls and after reading the package it says works better if two are used,maybe they should come as a set because I don't believe these work ,if one was used with the few things that were in my dryer,I am certain more of them couldn't help.
It didn't do a thing in fact I think there was more static than usual.
It was a waste of my four dollars.Also it is another of those MADE IN CHINA items and God only knows what it may consist of . My bet is that it doesn't work like it claims to and someone is laughing their ass off all the way to China with a load of money.
I am hoping you all read this before you waste any of your hard earned American dollars on this junk.
Posted by Dave C | December 20, 2007 3:48 PM