Felted Wool Dryer Balls

Purchase a skein of 100% wool yarn.  Using about half of the skein, wrap into 3 small yarn balls.  Boil these in water for about 5 minutes.  (I added some lavender essential oil to my water so they would be scented). 

Drain and let cool.  Squish out as much water as you can, place all three wool balls into an old sock and tie the end shut.  This process will help keep the yarn from unraveling while going through the felting process. Throw into the dryer with a load of clothes.  

Using the other half of the skein, wrap the three wool balls with the rest of the yarn and repeat the process. Splitting this in two stages helps to felt the entire wool ball which will help it to last longer. (Most will last up to 5 years!)

Once the process is complete, you can just toss the wool balls in with your clothes.  The balls bounce around in the dryer helping to separate clothing, reducing drying time.  The wool will soak up moisture and then evenly distribute it as your clothes go through the drying process.  This reduces static and results in fewer wrinkles.  

You can add drops of essential oils to them as the scent fades.  The wool will shrink some as the balls become more felted, but other than that...you are free from any additional hassle and can become a dryer sheet free home.

Make a few of these and pair it with homemade laundry soap and you have yourself a great gift to give.  

I've tried quite a few recipes for laundry detergent.  This is the one I am currently using:  Makes 2.5 gallons

1/4 Fels Naptha soap bar - grated, 1/4 c washing soda, 1/8 c borax

Add 1 cup of water to a sauce pan with grated soap.  Stir continually on low heat  until melted.

Fill a large bucket with 1/2 gallon of hot tap water.  Add the melted soap, washing soda, and borax.  Stir. Fill the bucket with 2 more gallons of hot tap water.  Stir.  Add 15 drops of essential oil.

Fill old detergent containers or put into jars to give as gifts.  

Use the standard amount when washing clothes, about 1/2 cup.