How to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls (And Keep Them Working for Years!)
If your wool dryer balls have been rolling around in your dryer for hundreds of loads, first of all — they’ve been putting in some WORK.
One of my favorite things about wool dryer balls is that they aren’t a one-and-done laundry product. A good set can last for hundreds of loads, and when they start feeling a little tired, you don’t necessarily need to replace them.
It may just be time for a recharge!
How Do You Know When Your Dryer Balls Need Recharging?
There isn’t a magic number of loads. If you’ve noticed that your dryer balls don’t seem to be performing quite like they used to, it’s a good time to give them a little refresh.
Over time, wool dryer balls can pick up lint, fibers and residue from your laundry. They can also start looking fuzzy or pilled. That’s completely normal — remember, these little guys are being tossed around in a hot dryer over and over again!
The Easy Way to Recharge Wool Dryer Balls
Recharging them is surprisingly simple.
Place your wool dryer balls inside a sock, mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to keep them contained.
Wash them in hot water on a gentle cycle.
Then move them to the dryer and dry them on high heat until they are completely dry.
That’s it!
The combination of hot water and heat helps refresh the wool so they’re ready to get back to work.
What About All That Fuzz?
If your dryer balls have started looking a little rough around the edges, you can give them a quick makeover too.
Carefully trim loose fuzz and pills with scissors, a fabric shaver or lint remover. You don’t need to make them look brand new. A little fuzz is completely normal and doesn’t mean your dryer balls aren’t working.
And if yours have one of our whimsical BGs designs, remember — they’re hardworking laundry helpers, not shelf decorations. A little wear just means they’ve been well loved!
Can You Add Essential Oils?
Absolutely — but a little goes a long way.
If you enjoy scented laundry, you can add a small amount of a laundry-appropriate essential oil to your dryer balls. Allow the oil to absorb before placing the balls into the dryer, and always follow the oil manufacturer’s directions for laundry and dryer use.
It’s an easy way to add a little fragrance without going back to traditional dryer sheets.
How Many Dryer Balls Should You Use?
For a normal load of laundry, I recommend starting with 3 wool dryer balls.
For those big loads — blankets, sheets and towels — I like using 4–6 so they can really move between all those layers.
Fun BGs fact: I even use dryer balls when drying our chunky hand knit blankets! I use a low/short drying cycle, and the dryer balls help move between all that thick, chunky yarn.
Don’t Toss Them — Recharge Them!
One of the reasons I love wool dryer balls is how long they can stay part of your laundry routine. When yours aren’t performing like they once did, don’t automatically throw them away.
Wash them. Dry them. Give them a little haircut if they need it.
Then send them right back to work.
And if you’re ready for a new set — or maybe your laundry room just needs a frog, black cat, flower, cross, or a butterfly rolling around in it — you can shop BGs Blankets & Co.’s small-batch wool dryer ball designs online.
Because if we’re going to do laundry anyway, we might as well make it a little more fun.