In my household, every day is laundry day. I do about four or five loads per week, so it's safe to say that I'm always up to my ears in detergent, fabric softener, boosters — you name it.
When it comes to drying my clothes, I love using my trusted dryer sheets. They always give my laundry a clean scent and guarantee a wrinkle- and static-free load every time. However, the more laundry I do (which is a lot, remember?), the more boxes I go through — which means spending even more money on supplies. Plus, single-use sheets aren't exactly environmentally friendly.
While searching for more budget- and eco-friendly alternatives, I noticed that dryer balls have become all the rage in the laundry game. They're reusable and said to be hassle-free — great for busy parents or people who work from home (like me!) who don't have time to stop at the store upon discovering an empty dryer sheet box. Some even claim they're more effective, and that's where the Smart Sheet Wool Dryer Balls enter the picture.
How I tried the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls | My experience | What to consider | Who are the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls best for? | Why trust Shop TODAY? | More dryer balls to shop
Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls (Pack of 6)
- Reusable for multiple rounds
- Some say it makes clothes soft
- Great at wrinkle removal
- Some found them loud in dryer
Made of: 100% wool | Comes with: A pack of 6 dryer balls
After hearing about these wool dryer balls on Amazon, which have more than 54,000 five-star ratings, I knew I had to give them a try. The only question was would they stand up to the task?
According to the brand, these are made from 100% New Zealand wool, which offer a petroleum-free alternative compared to plastic dryer balls. The product also has no chemicals or synthetics, which might be a perk for those with sensitive skin.
How I tried the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
Before putting the dryer balls to the test for the first time, I washed my laundry as normal. I started with a load of whites that filled about three quarters of my basket. I also checked for any major stains (thankfully, there were none), so I would know if these new dryer balls caused any spots or marks.
My experience
The package comes with six dryer balls, but the instructions say to use three for smaller loads and five to six for larger loads. What makes for a "large load" of laundry is up for debate, depending on what you're washing and the size of your machine, but I went with all six since my laundry basket was pretty full pre-wash. All had to do was toss the balls into my dryer with my wet clothes, close the door and hit start.
When the dryer went off, I was hesitant to open the door. Would these wool dryer balls really work to do everything a traditional dryer sheet does? Have I found the perfect replacement?
They're just as effective as my trusted dryer sheets
The answer is, pretty much, yes. My clothes came out static- and wrinkle-free and just as soft as they felt after a turn with my regular dryer sheets. Some Amazon reviewers claim that these dryer balls make their clothes even more soft and fluffy than dryer sheets as a whole.
"They come out noticeably softer and fluffier, almost like they’ve been treated with a fabric softener," said one verified customer. "And the best part? No more static cling! My pet peeve during the colder months has finally been eliminated."
Amazon reviewers say the dryer balls shorten drying time
The brand claims that the dryer balls shorten drying time, but that's not something I can prove since my older machine doesn't have a sensor to determine when my laundry is finished. However, I've noticed that I haven't had to add more drying time to larger loads like I've had to do in the past.
That doesn't dismiss that others have noticed a difference in time, though. Nearly 4,000 five-star reviewers have called this out in their review. "I checked my clothes halfway through my normal drying time and my clothes were actually dry already!," noted a reviewer.
They're better for the environment
As a health- and eco-conscious person, I also like that these wool dryer balls are made without chemicals or fillers and can be reused “thousands” of times before needing to be replaced, according to the brand. So, along with time and money, it looks like I can also add the environment to the list of things this product is helping me save.
What to consider
They don't add a scent to your load
Although some customers claim the dryer balls do, for me, they lacked the scent of the dryer sheets that I love so much, but a friend of mine, who already uses wool dryer balls, suggested adding a few drops of essential oil onto the balls before drying. With this new hack in mind, I can’t think of any reason why I would go back to single-use sheets — these wool dryer balls are the real deal.
Who are the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls best for?
Anyone who is looking for a more eco-friendly alternative will appreciate the reusability of these dryer balls. They provide similar, if not better, results to dryer sheets, and will save you more money in the long run.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
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As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the author
Megan Dubois is a freelance journalist who covers lifestyle, travel, among many others, with bylines in NBC News, Insider, Travel + Leisure and more.
