Green Living
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Dryer Balls? Anyone use them?
I was looking into getting some dryer balls so I can stop using dryer sheets. I saw some wool ones on Etsy.com---those seem better than the plastic ones they sell at Target.
Do you use dryer balls? Pros/cons? Which kind are best to get? If I go with the wool ones, how many do you think I need?
Thanks!
Re: Dryer Balls? Anyone use them?
I made my own wool ones.
I think the link was through good momma on how to make them. I use three in my laundry.
They do alright for static but DH hates them in the winter because our clothes are still a little static-y.
(hello you're throwing fleece in with your running pants...of course they are gonna have a ton of static!)
ETA: You have to use 100% wool or it won't work. I made mine out of fisherman's, BUT if you want to be really eco you can always go to goodwill and get a sweater and de-thread it.
We use plastic ones from here:
http://www.nelliesallnatural.com/
They last a LOT longer than the ones from Target - - years and years vs. months and months.
I am the 99%.
http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html
I made mine hrmm I think two years ago and they work fine. I got the panty hose from freecycle. Stuff with runs and stuff works great because you can always cut around it. I use the scraps in my garden to hold my tomato plants up against the sticks.
Mine are just white. I had a fear about using colored yarn with my whites, and that it might bleed. My dog loves to eat them so if you have a dog be careful when you open the dryer door. I started with 7 I think and have found that 3 to 4 work best for me. I got about 3-4 per thing of yarn.
Katie Talks About...
I had some, I think the BBB ones, and they were fine, but I quit using them in an effort to cut down plastic use, esp heated plastic.
I don't use anything now except tennis balls in socks when drying our down comforter.
I made my own.....just google "homemade wool dryer balls" and you'll get a bunch of hits. Basically you need 100% wool (so it will "felt") and pantyhose. You have to make a ball, put it in the pantyhose and put that in the dryer on hot for a while and then wind more yarn on till you get the size you want, dry again. It's super easy. I used a dark orange wool that I found on sale at Michaels. It didn't bleed at all and I use it with my whites.
I love my "balls". I have 2 and use them both with each load. In the winter, I throw in some tin foil and that helps with the static. Someone here suggested it and it works well. Not as good as dryer sheets but good enough. I love that there's absolutely no scent to my clothes now.