tennis balls instead of dryer balls?

pfal6

Do you think they would work the same way that way I don't have to buy wool dryer balls? Save money and get the same job done???? Just a thought!!

SheilaE

They should do the same thing that the wool balls do.  Basically the balls are just beating/fluffing the fabric.

I think over time the tennis balls will get old and crack from the heat, so you would have to get new balls.

You can make the wool balls.  Just buy the wool yarn and then wind it into a ball.  Much cheaper than buying it from some one, and wouldn't take very long to do, you could do it while you watch a tv show.

pixieprincss

No, I don't think they will. Here is the science that I think is behind it, but someone please correct me if I am wrong: modern tennis balls are made with synthetics, which causes static. So, tennis balls will fluff, but they won't have any ant-static benefit like the lanolin in wool does, and make actually increase static.

CutesBoots

My MIL was telling me about some dryer balls she got that weren't wool.  I wish I could remember what they were because I have strong allergies to wool.

I know tennis balls are suggested for drying things like pillows and comforters, but I think it's for fluffing them rather than anti-static.

CDMay2006

The wool balls do two things, right?  Reduce static and shorten drying time?  I've heard (on this board) that a ball of foil works to reduce static, but i've never tried it.  For speeding drying i add an old bath towel and it's amazing how well it works.

pixieprincss

CutesBoots:

My MIL was telling me about some dryer balls she got that weren't wool.  I wish I could remember what they were because I have strong allergies to wool.

I know tennis balls are suggested for drying things like pillows and comforters, but I think it's for fluffing them rather than anti-static.

Maybe these?

karome

I have a set of tennis balls that I have been using for about 3 years.  No cracks yet. 

I use them to fluff and soften clothing since we don't fabric softener since DH has sensative skin.  

Not sure if it reduces drying time or static (though it does seem like it is lessened) but I do like how the clothes come out of the dryer.

blue_elle

We use tennis balls in the dryer as well. They're great for fluffing, especially with large items (towels, blankets, pillows). I think I've been using them for about 3-4 years and the only time they've had to be replaced is when a pet absconds with one of them. They do reduce drying time but I'm not sure about anti-static properties;we've got pretty good humidity levels so static isn't a big issue for us.

Would you use the tennis balls for anything else if you decided they didn't work for you in the laundry? If so, there's no harm in trying with a couple loads and seeing what you think. 

pfal6

Luckily I teach PE/wellness so I would actually just "borrow" some balls from work and return them if it didn't work!