Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Supplies How to Make Wool Dryer Balls Wool acts as a natural fabric softener to reduce static cling and dry clothes faster. By Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano is an editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 14, 2023 After using wool dryer balls in your laundry, you'll wonder how you ever went without them. The material acts as a natural fabric softener to reduce static cling, dry clothes faster, and soften garments. This easy DIY approach comes from our friend Anusha Rajeswaran of Fish and Bull and can be made with just wool roving, hosiery, and scissors. After the dryer balls are done, you can use them over and over again, offering a sustainable alternative to some other fabric softeners. Anusha Rajeswaran If you like the scent of commercial fabric softeners, give your threads a natural scent by adding a few drops of essential oil to the wool roving. We like lavender, lemon, and bergamot. But keep in mind that although essential oils are safely used in dryer balls, the liquid can pose a fire risk. To be safe, only use a few drops per dryer ball and wait at least one hour until completely dry prior to using with your laundry. Although essential oils are safe to add to dryer balls, the liquid can pose a fire risk. Only use a few drops per dryer ball and wait at least one hour until completely dry before using with your laundry. Before using the wool dryer balls effectively, you'll need to make sure the balls are felted and feel firm to the touch. Do so by drying the wool before using it with a load of laundry. Once they're the correct texture, you can add them to the dryer with your clothes during your next load of laundry. Anusha Rajeswaran The 12 Best Laundry Detergents on the Market, According to Experts What You'll Need Materials Wool roving Essential oils Nylon hosiery Scissors Paper towels Instructions Wind a strip of wool roving: Anusha Rajeswaran Wind a thin strip of wool roving into a ball, rotating directions to create a uniform ball shape. (Note: Use a light-colored wool so that the color doesn't bleed onto your laundry.) Don't worry if it is not a perfectly smooth ball. Make a ball: Anusha Rajeswaran Once it is the size of a tennis ball, tuck the last piece of wool roving into the ball to secure it in place. Place the wool dryer balls in hosiery: Anusha Rajeswaran With scissors, cut the footed ends off the nylon hosiery. Start by dropping one ball into the hosiery and tying a knot to secure it in the nylon. Continue until all wool balls are secured in the hosiery. Place the hosiery in your dryer: Anusha Rajeswaran Toss the knotted hosiery into the washing machine, turned to a high-heat setting. (Tip: You can also throw it in with a load of laundry at the same setting if you don't want to waste water.) Transfer to a dryer and let dry on a normal setting. Cut the wool balls out of the hosiery: Anusha Rajeswaran Cut the wool balls out of the hosiery; they should be felted and feel firm to the touch. Add one drop each of your favorite essential oils to the dryer ball. For a fresh clean scent, we recommend using one drop of lavender, lemon, and bergamot essential oil. Allow the oil to dry for one hour before use. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART