Dryer balls or sheets? The pros and cons of these two laundry products
The dryer (aka clothes dryer or tumble dryer) is an appliance that has revolutionized the way we do the laundry, allowing us to significantly reduce drying times while at the same time, making it simpler to deal with damp washing.
However, one of the drawbacks of using this appliance is the static electricity that builds up in our garments and the creases that can develop (especially when the garments are not dried correctly and/or we didn't use a fabric softener in the wash).
To solve these problems, various products are available for the dryer. The most used of these are dryer balls and dryer sheets, which make the laundry softer, wrinkle-free and discharge static electricity (and can perfume the laundry too).
Which of these two products is more suitable for your dryer? Let's check out the pros and cons of these products:
Dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are layers of fabric, usually made of cellulose or polyester and soaked in liquid fabric softener, lubricant and fragrances/perfumes. There are numerous advantages to using these sheets:
- They are easy to use: simply insert them into the dryer's drum along with the laundry;
- The laundry will always turn out soft, fragrant and totally free of static electricity;
- They can also be used for numerous other purposes around the home, such as removing dust, descaling pans, and covering shoes (for suitcases).
However, these sheets also have several disadvantages:
- They do not reduce drying times;
- Many dryer sheet brands contain products which are not eco-friendly and can also irritate skin;
- They can only be used once, increasing waste production;
- They can leave residue on garments and on the inside of the dryer.
Dryer balls
Dryer balls, on the other hand, are wool or plastic balls used for the same purpose as dryer sheets. Wool balls are the most suitable, and give the best results:
- Like dryer sheets, these balls are also easy to use;
- They can be reused multiple times, reducing waste;
- They are eco-friendly as they are made of natural materials;
- They help reduce drying times;
- They reduce static electricity and creasing, leaving clothes pleasantly soft and fragrant.
However, dryer balls do have some drawbacks:
- After a while, the balls could start shedding and produce lint;
- They are not suitable for large loads of laundry;
- They are quite noisy during use.
Which of these two products do you prefer using in your dryer?