How they work
Wooly Heroes
Tumble between clothes and keep them apart, so warm air moves through the load. Wool softens fabric as it dries.
Dryer sheets
Leave a thin coating of softening agents on fabric as it tumbles, and many add fragrance.
Wool vs sheets
Wool dryer balls vs dryer sheets
Both make laundry softer. They just go about it differently. Here’s a plain-English comparison of wool dryer balls and conventional disposable dryer sheets.
How long they last
Wooly Heroes
One set of six works for up to 1,000 loads.
Dryer sheets
Used once, then thrown away. How many you need depends on the product and the size of the load.
Waste
Wooly Heroes
Nothing to throw away each load. At the end of its life it’s 100% wool with no synthetic fillers.
Dryer sheets
Used sheets after every load, plus the boxes.
Softness
Wooly Heroes
Softens naturally, with no added chemicals, fragrances or coatings.
Dryer sheets
Softens by coating the fibers.
Static
Wooly Heroes
Helps reduce static cling. Very synthetic loads may still have some; taking clothes out while slightly damp helps.
Dryer sheets
Designed for static control. Results vary with the product and fabrics.
Drying time
Wooly Heroes
Helps cut drying time by improving airflow. How much depends on your dryer and load.
Dryer sheets
Mainly used for softness and static control.
Scent
Wooly Heroes
No added fragrance. For a light scent, add a drop or two of essential oil to a ball and let it soak in.
Dryer sheets
Available scented or fragrance-free.
Making the switch
Trying wool for the first time?
Use 3 to 6 balls for small and medium loads and all 6 for large ones. Give them a few loads to settle in. Results vary with your dryer, the load and the fabrics.
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