Answering your questions about wool laundry dryer balls
Q: How do wool laundry dryer balls work?
A: These little woolly wonders simply go into the tumble dryer with your laundry. Being made out of 100% pure British wool, laundry dryer balls gently absorb excess moisture as they take a tumble with your clothes, bed linen and towels. The result is naturally softer, fluffier laundry with less creases.
Q: Do they cut drying time?
A: Yes they do. Wool laundry dryer balls help separate items to let more air and heat circulate, which speeds up the tumble-drying process. That’s good news for your energy bills and the environment. And the more laundry dryer balls you use, the quicker the drying time.
Q: Why are wool laundry dryer balls better?
A: Unlike plastic alternatives, wool laundry balls are 100% natural. So you don’t have to worry about adding to the tide of plastic that’s flooding our planet. Also, they’re so much gentler on your clothes. The natural wool massages the fabric’s surface for a fluffier finish. And with less creases to worry about, ironing time is reduced into the bargain. These soft wool laundry balls work in silence too – so you don’t get the clatter of plastic when you tumble dry.
Q: Do I still need to use fabric softener or dryer sheets with wool laundry balls?
A: No you don’t – so you can say bye-bye to bottles of fabric softer ta-ta to dryer sheets that go to landfill. Wool contains lanolin, which is Mother Nature’s own brand softener. When you pop wool laundry dryer balls into your tumble dyer, they soften the fabric naturally. So you get a chemical-free softness throughout your laundry load.
Q: How many laundry balls do you use per load?
A: As a rule, the more balls you use the better they work. However, as a guide you really need a minimum of three wool laundry dryer balls for small to medium loads; five for medium to large loads; and up to a dozen for large to huge loads.
Q: How long do wool dryer balls last?
A: For such soft fluffy little things, wool laundry dryer balls are very hardy. Made from 100% pure British wool, they are made to last. Just like the tough sheep they come from, dryer balls will keep going and going. In fact, they should be good for over 1,000 loads and last up to five years. You may need to trim the odd stray thread here and there, but that’s about it.
Q: How do you use laundry dryer balls?
A: It couldn’t be easier. Simply unleash your wool laundry dryer balls from their packaging and pop them in the tumble dryer with your laundry. That’s it!
Q: Are laundry dryer balls unscented? And can they be scented?
A: All our wool laundry dryer balls come unscented – but it’s up to you whether they stay that way. Many customers like to dab a little natural oil onto the dryer ball to gently fragrance the laundry as it dries. You can choose from ‘laundry fragrance’, ‘new baby’ or ‘lavender’. Just make sure you do this about an hour before tumble drying, that way the oil has time to dry before coming in contact with your clothes.
Q: How big are they?
A: Each wool laundry dryer ball about the size of a tennis ball. But because they’re so squishy they can store away easily in the smallest nook or cranny in your laundry room or displayed with pride! If you want specifics, the average measurements are: diameter – 7cm/3inches, weight 35g/1.3oz. As wool is a natural fibre, and this product is made by hand, there may be variations in size and colour compared to image shown on the website.
Q: Are laundry dryer balls okay to use with baby clothes?
A: Pure wool laundry balls work especially well with baby clothes as they offer a chemical free way to soften fabric. Because they massage the surface of each garment they touch, they leave rompers, bib and nappies as soft as, well, a baby’s bottom!
Q: Are laundry dryer balls safe for dogs or cats?
A: Dogs and cats seem to love our laundry balls. Lots of customers have let us know how much their pet is attached to a Hebridean, Herdwick or Welsh Mountain. So yes, it’s perfectly safe but just watch the sheep on those sharp teeth!
Q: Will the fibres from a wool laundry ball come off on clothes?
A: All our wool laundry balls are tightly felted so they won’t shed any fibres during a tumble dry. As they get older, you may notice the occasional bobble or thread as you would with a favourite woolly. If this happens, just trim it off and continue to use as before.
Q: What if my laundry dryer ball gets dirty?
A: No problem. Just pop it in a wool wash and hey presto – it should bounce back as good as new.
Q: How do you decide which sheep breed to choose?
A: This is the fun part. Just browse our flock and see which one takes your fancy. They all have their own characters, just like the amazing sheep that provide the wool in the first place. From time to time, we do limited edition rare breed versions of our laundry balls, with a percentage of the purchase price going to supporting the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
Q: Do wool laundry balls have any other uses?
A: They do indeed. Lots of people use a scented wool laundry ball to give drawers and wardrobes a sweet hit of meadow freshness. Or when you’re packing away winter woollies, stow away a scented wool laundry ball too. It prevents any musty smell sneaking in and helps keep those dreaded moths at bay. Or you can use them as a fun way to freshen your car – and even as a stress ball when you need to squeeze away that tension!