Wool Dryer Balls Q&A

We are pretty excited to be able to offer these wool dryer balls thanks to Red Barn Wool in Nancy, KY. Janella Miller and her family raise Shetland Sheep for wool and meat, and they work tirelessly to create these custom wool dryer balls. Red Barn Wool scents the balls with lavender from our farm to provide a subtle, natural scent! You can also purchase unscented dryer balls through the Miller Family.

When we first began experimenting with wool dryer balls, I was a bit of a skeptic. After one load, I was hooked! It took me a few loads to get used to the shortened drying time and know what to expect, but once I did, I became a big fan!

Here are some commonly asked questions about using dryer balls.

Q: Will I really be able to get rid of my dryer sheets?
A: Yes! Ditch them! You can even ditch liquid fabric softener. These balls provide the softening you need and save you money in the long run. Plus, they're natural and good for the environment and your family.

Q: Why are the so expensive?
A: These dryer balls are not mass produced. The sheep at Red Barn Wool are sheared by hand, the wool washed and carded by the Miller Family, and hand felted into these dryer balls. Likewise, lavender from our farm is harvested by hand, debudded and sifted by hand, and then placed (by hand...see a pattern here?) into each dryer ball. Even with all that, though, these dryer balls can last you up to 2 years or 1,000 loads of laundry, depending on laundry load size. When you look at it that way, you're saving a ton and using a product that you can feel great about at the same time!

Q: What size laundry load will these work on?
A: I've personally used dryer balls on large loads of laundry, but have found that they require between four and six balls. For a typical small to medium sized load, two balls should be sufficient. If you'd like to reduce your drying time more or have your items a bit softer, add one or two more balls.

Q: How do these work?
A: Wool naturally absorbs almost one third of its own weight in water, which is why these balls help shorten drying time. The balls tumble around in the dryer with your laundry and soak up excess water. They also keep your items separated from each other so that the heat can reach more surface area and dry them faster.

Q: Can I add fragrance?
A: Yes, but please do your own research. These dryer balls are lightly scented due to the lavender buds inside them. Once that smell begins to fade (which will happen over time), you can add a few drops of essential oil (2-3 drops...be sure to let them dry before putting them in with wet clothes). But, even without fragrance, your clothes will still be left fresh!

Q: Why are some of them different colors?
A: Shetland sheep at Red Barn Wool are a mix of colors! You can use any color balls with your laundry, although some people prefer to use dark balls for darker loads and light balls for light-colored loads. It's really a personal preference.

If you have any other questions about wool dryer balls, drop us a note and we'll get back with you! Happy laundry.