wool dryer balls - faqs

How do Little Fox wool dryer balls work?

Little Fox Wool Dryer Balls help to absorb moisture from your laundry. These little "amaze-balls" absorb up to 30% of their weight in water.!! The movement of the wool balls within the dryer also helps to separate laundry items allowing the air and heat to circulate more efficiently and thus items dry faster. This also allows for even distribution of the humidity within the dryer, which reduces static, wrinkles, and makes your fabrics feel softer.

How are wool dryer balls different from plastic dryer balls or tennis balls?

Oh boy, where do I start! Plastic dryer balls or tennis balls are made of plastic (PVC) which contains synthetic materials and harmful chemicals which are only stable at low temperatures in your dryer, but once they become heated they can release chemicals which not only get into your clothes, but will also affect your dryer and dryer ducts. This could lead to reducing your dryer’s lifetime and creating stored particles in the ducts that are released and deposited onto your next load of laundry! Unlike the noisy “thump, thump, thump” you get with rigid plastic and tennis balls, Little Fox Wool Dryer Balls are soft, quiet and gentle on your clothing.

How do I use Little Fox wool dryer balls and store them?

Just throw them in with your dryer load of laundry!

STATIC – if you over-dry your clothes, the balls will be too dry as well and will produce static cling! So monitor your first few times of drying… it took me a while to adjust to having a full load of bath towels dry in 30 minutes!

SCENTING: Add 4-8 drops of essential oils onto the balls and allow a few minutes to soak in. For a stronger scent, add the essential oils right at the beginning of the cycle, or for the last 5-10 minutes for a softer scent.

STORING: The wool balls may be left inside the dryer or if you prefer, keep them in the Little Fox cotton drawstring sac that they were purchased in. (if you haven’ t already used this for something else fun!). Never store the balls in plastic. They need to breath!

How many Little Fox dryer balls should I use?

Size of load and dryer performance will determine how many balls you should use. For small to regular-sized loads, 3 balls are sufficient. For large loads, 6-8 balls, and for extra large loads all the way up to 8-12 balls. The more balls you use, the less time it takes to dry. The more the merrier!     

How long will the Little Fox wool dryer balls last?

This will depend on how much laundry that is done on a regular basis. The balls can easily last for approximately 500+ dryer loads. They will show a little wear after a while and they will ‘pill’, but that’s a good thing! This proves they are doing their job!

Should I only use the dark brown balls with dark coloured loads and light, cream balls with light coloured loads?

Nope! Use whatever wool coloured balls you like in any coloured laundry load. There are no dyes in Little Fox wool dryer balls, so there is no risk of dye transfer. Also, the balls do not shed or lint. As a precaution, the first time you use the dryer balls, you may use the light balls with light coloured laundry and the same for the dark (dark balls with dark fabrics). There could potentially be a few loose fibres the first time around, but unlikely.

Are Little Fox wool dryer balls okay to use with baby clothes or cloth diapers?

Yes, yes, yes! Little Fox wool balls are made with 100% pure wool, using no synthetic fillers, chemicals or dyes. They are hypoallergenic and great to use for anyone with sensitive skin. If you choose to scent with essential oils, please ensure that they are safe to use with children. Diffusing them does create a very low level of risk though, as the pure oils are not being applied directly to skin. However, I always like to caution this with children and pets. Even aromatically some EO’s are not great for children!! 

Can they help remove pet hair?

They totally help remove pet hair! Believe me I know! (Little Fox a.k.a Kobe the Shiba Inu). Because the balls separate the laundry and allow better air flow, more pet hair will be loosened, so be sure to check your lint screen after every load.

Can I clean my wool dryer balls?

Yes! Wash them with some towels on warm and put them in the dryer. It’s not a requirement to clean them, but if you choose to, it’s no problem. You may want to use them for another purpose after their dryer days are done! (see below for suggestions)

It’s time to replace my wool dryer balls, what should I do with the old ones?

Lots! They can be added to the compost, but better yet re-used in different ways. Put some essential oils on them and place them in a drawer or closet to scent your linens and clothes. Use as décor pieces, in a basket or vase, or table centrepiece. Use as therapy balls for rolling out tight muscles. Use your imagination!

Can I use Little Fox wool dryer balls in any type of dryer machine? 

The dryer balls may be used in new or older dryer machines. Newer machines will be more efficient, but drying time will still be reduced when using the balls in older machines!

I still have static cling?

This could be due to a few reasons. The drying time could be too long and over drying your fabrics and the balls themselves, (the air becomes too dry inside your machine creating more static). Fabric material plays a role in the amount of static created, synthetic material like polyester and nylon as they create friction while drying. The weather! As the weather changes, and the colder months set in, there is more static in the air. This creates a new environment for our laundry as well. In both cases, take 1-2 balls from the dryer with about 10 minutes remaining in the cycle, wet them under the tap so they are slightly damp but not soaked. Place them back in the dryer and voila, static be gone!