Bouncing Dryer Balls
Posted by Jennifer Norman February 26th, 2008 .*** EDIT *** I’m an idiot, these aren’t green at all (unless you dig toxic breast milk). Live and learn. 
During a delightful visit to DwellSmart, I purchased my first box of dryer balls. This purchase makes sense both economically and environmentally. I won’t have to purchase another box for two years. The dryer balls cost $20.00. A box of Mrs. Meyer’s Brand dryer sheets cost $8.00. Our dryer, unfortunately, is put through the cycle at least once a day. By day eighty, I will need another box of fabric sheets.
Of course, I am very glad not be throwing away one more piece of cloth a day. Please put both balls into dryer - it happened to be halfway through first cycle when I noticed!
Now a question for our readers: Has anyone found an inexpensive bamboo drying rack for clothing? Perhaps I could give our dryer an occasional break.
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we have been eyeing the dryer balls as well…as soon as we run out of dryer sheets we are going to give them a try…keep us posted on your satisfaction with them…
I received these as a gift a few months ago from my mother and love them! She knew I had been looking for a natural dryer sheet. Although Myers does make the yummiest smelling liquid softener, it proved that I was too forgetful to be consistent with that. I recommend these…I just leave them in my laundry basket.
I am going on a hunt to find an eco-dryer ball…if it exists. Does it? I picked up a portable dryer rack at a garage sale, not bamboo but alright. I always underestimate the time on my dryer. For example, I initially start it lower than I think it will need. When the timer is up I check the load and either pull the out the completely dry pieces and restart or if there is a heavy denim for example I’ll pull it out and hang it on the dryer rack and fold the rest. It seems to save on the amount of time I run the dryer.
I was also very concerned when I learned that the dryer balls contained PVC. We expressed our disapproval and concern to the manufacturer, and they indicated they are looking into alternative formulations. They did assure us that the dryer balls do not off gas from the heat of the dryer. While I would completely support a total ban on PVC (I’m especially unhappy about most of our water running through PVC pipes), I believe the environmental pros of the dryer balls outweigh the cons. I ran my own control test with my dryer (it has a moisture sensor and automatic shutoff), and found that drying time was reduced from 56 to 45 minutes the dryer balls (a 20% reduction).
PVC’s are bad because of the toxins released into the environment during production, the lack of recycling facilities (although I did find that all of our surrounding counties accept #3 plastics), and because of the plastic softeners (plasticizers or phthalates) often added to create soft plastic products like baby toys, shower curtains, drinking straws, vinyl flooring, and much more. The phthalate used in the dryer balls is dinonyl phthalate which appears thus far to be relatively ‘safe’. We’re going to continue to look for a similar product that is not made with PVC. If anyone finds one, please let us know.
We do have another product which serves as a dryer sheet substitute (lasts for 500 loads). It does not have the benefit of reduced drying time, but it does help to reduce static cling without the chemicals. It does not work as well for me as the dryer balls, but it might be a good option if you want to completely avoid PVC.
We’ll also be on the lookout for a good dryer rack as the old-fashioned way of drying clothes is the best solution of all.
Thanks for the scoop on the dryer balls and the good advice.
Phthalates are a big worry for me, especially thinking about the effects of exposure from baby products and toys. (http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL45600320080204)
In the EU, phthalates are banned in ALL products made for children under 3, so I was shocked to find that it is everywhere in the US: teethers, lotions, shampoo, baby bottles, toys, etc. The factories in China have two productions of toys; one with phthalates for the US and one without destined for the EU (Europe)!
(And don´t get me started on parabene preservatives in baby care products…)
If you are not sure, whether the toy is phthalate free: don´t buy SOFT plastic toys, unless it says “phthalate free” on the packaging. (Or let your kiddoes play with the dryer balls, haha)
Anyway, back to energy saving solutions:
We bought energy efficient (HE) front loader washing machine and dryer when moving here (the only kind available in Denmark, where I am from. Sorry - I will stop my European propaganda ;-). They are XL and for a family of 5, I only wash about 4 loads a week. I wash one day a week, so our XL dryer is only on two cycles.
I save energy by only washing if clothes are soiled. Duh, but really: I teach my biggest to do the “smell-test” and check for stains. (She is the typical 9-year old, who changes outfits several times a day)
I don´t use fabric softener or drier sheets (or chloride), because I am trying to stay away from perfume while the kids are small and more prone to develop allergies.
If you are worried about static cling, avoid polyester and other synthetic materials all together - or drape them over the dryer, they will dry in no time.
I have experimented with using the “Express Wash” setting on the washer - and it gets just as clean in half the time (28 min. vs. 54min.) The same goes for using half the detergent recommended on the bottle!