The Pros And Cons Of Dryer Balls Versus Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets and dryer balls are very different, yet achieve some of the same results. Primarily, they both help reduce static cling in your clothes while in the dryer. While there are other similarities between the two, there are also many differences. Since these two dryer tools sometimes achieve different results, you may wonder if it’s better to use dryer sheets or dryer balls for your laundry.

The top benefits of dryer sheets include their fragrance, wrinkle-release properties, and softness. Their downside includes repeat purchases, the residue they leave behind, and their environmental impact. Dryer balls are eco-friendly, last longer, and help clothes dry more effectively. Over time, however, they shed lint. They also make loud sounds and don’t provide a fragrance.

While it’s certainly possible to add dryer sheets and wool balls to a load of laundry, many people opt for one or the other. Both offer many benefits for your clean clothes, but each also has drawbacks. If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, you need to know all the pros and cons of dryer sheets and dryer balls.

The Top Pros And Cons Of Dryer Balls Versus Dryer Sheets

Pros Of Using Dryer Sheets

1. Provide A Nice Fragrance To Clothing

One of the top benefits of using dryer sheets over wool balls is the smell. Most dryer sheets have fragrance built into the sheet. As your clothes dry, the smell seeps into them. The result is a load of laundry that is not only clean and dry, but also smells fantastic.

2. Help Clothes Feel Softer

Many dryer sheets have waxy material that can help scratchy fabrics feel softer. As your dryer heats and tosses your clothes, this subtle waxy material slowly releases onto them. Once you remove your clothing, you may notice that they feel a bit softer than when you put them in the dryer.

3. Easy To Use

Dryer sheets are easy to use. They come in large stacks, and all you have to do is take one and add it to your load of clothes before you start the dryer. Once the clothes are dry, remove the sheet and toss it in the trash. 

4. Have Other Uses

While dryer sheets are primarily used in the dryer, they have other practical uses. Since these sheets contain a fragrance, they are often added to bins of clothes to help them smell great while in storage. Some people even use them to scrub pots and pans.

5. Minimize Wrinkles In Clothing

Dryer sheets are also effective at relaxing wrinkles in many fabrics. Most dryer sheets contain fabric softeners and other lubrication properties. These ingredients help soften wrinkles and, during drying, even remove them completely. These wrinkle-releasing properties can save you a ton of time on ironing.

The Downside Of Dryer Sheets

1. Have To Buy Them Frequently

Dryer sheets are single-use items. While this makes them easy to use, it also means you need to buy them more often. These sheets aren’t terribly expensive, but they are something you need to regularly check on and inventory to ensure you don’t run out of them at an inopportune moment.

2. Easy To Forget To Add Them 

Unlike dryer balls, which live in your dryer, you must remember to add dryer sheets before each load. It is easy to forget to add a dryer sheet, which can result in staticky clothes and no fragrance. Placing dryer sheets somewhere where you always see them is a great way to remember to add them to each load.

3. Can Leave An Unpleasant Residue On Clothes

While the lubricating properties in dryer sheets can make some fabrics softer, they can leave a less desirable feel on other garments. Some people complain that dryer sheets make clothes feel waxy and uncomfortable. If you experience this, you can always switch to another brand and see if the problem stops.

4. Dryer Sheets Are Often Bad For The Environment

Dryer sheets might feel like paper, but they are usually made with plastics. All the inorganic ingredients in dryer sheets mean they aren’t recyclable and take a long time to decompose. Combine this with the fact that you use at least one dryer sheet for every load of laundry, and you have a product that is not environmentally friendly. 

5. Can Cause Negative Skin Reactions

Some people love the way dryer sheets make clothing feel. However, if you have sensitive skin, these sheets can cause a negative reaction. Cheaper dryer sheets may contain lots of chemicals and artificial fragrances, which can trigger a range of adverse skin reactions.

Pros Of Using Dryer Balls

1. Environmentally Friendly

One of the top reasons to switch from dryer sheets to wool balls is that they are better for the environment. Not only are most dryer balls made of natural and organic materials, but you can also use them multiple times. Wool balls are a great first step for those looking to reduce single-use plastics in the home.

2. You Can Use Them For Many Dyer Cycles

It’s easy to forget to add a dryer sheet because you must add a new one for each cycle. Wool dryer balls, however, can live in the dryer for months or even years. Some dryer balls can last upwards of 1,000 loads. The longevity of these balls means you can leave them in your dryer and forget about them.

3. Can Save You Money On Electricity

Wool dryer balls are great at moving laundry around. The movement they facilitate helps to dry your clothing faster. In fact, your clothes can dry up to 15% faster with dryer balls. Your dryer uses a lot of energy, so 15% less time can help lower your electric bill.

4. Help Dry Clothes Quicker And More Thoroughly

In addition to saving money, you can also save time. Not only will your clothes dry faster, but you are less likely to have one or two wet garments. Dryer balls help move your clothes around, allowing them to dry evenly.

5. Great For People With Skin Allergies

Since dryer balls don’t use lubricants, plastics, or chemicals, they are far more hypoallergenic than dryer sheets. If you have sensitive skin and have had issues with dryer sheets in the past, then wool dryer balls are a fantastic alternative.

The Downside of Dryer Balls

1. Can Get Lost In Your Clothing

One notable downside to using these wool balls in the dryer is that they are easy to misplace. They can get lost in your clean clothes, hiding in shirts, sheets, and other garments. While it isn’t terribly difficult to place the balls back in the dryer, it can become irritating over time.

2. Need To Apply Fragrance Separately 

If you’re someone who loves clothes to smell fresh after the dryer, then you won’t be thrilled with dryer balls. Unlike dryer sheets, wool balls have no fragrance. You can, however, add a drop or two of your favorite essential oils to add a nice smell, but this is an extra step.

3. Require An Initial Investment

Dryer balls last a long time, but they are also more expensive than dryer sheets. A pack of quality organic wool dryer balls can cost upwards of $20. Furthermore, you must replace them periodically. While they save money over time, this is a notable initial cost.

4. Can Cause Loud Noises

Dryer balls are dense, and as they bounce around in the dryer, they can make loud noises. While these noises aren’t disturbingly loud, they can sometimes be heard in the next room. In some cases, this doesn’t matter. If, however, you like to do laundry at night, then dryer balls might keep a light sleeper awake.

5. Older Dryer Balls Shed Lint

If you don’t replace your wool dryer balls after the recommended period, then they will start to shed. This can add lint to your dryer, which can stick to your clothing and force it to work harder than normal.

Wrapping Up Pros And Cons Of Dryer Sheets Versus Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets and wool dryer balls are great ways to improve the clothes drying experience. They help remove static cling, but this is where their similarities end. Dryer sheets are great at adding fragrance, reducing wrinkles, and softening clothing. Some downsides to dryer sheets are that they aren’t eco-friendly or hypoallergenic, and can leave your clothes feeling waxy.

Dryer balls are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic. They also dry clothes faster, which can save you money on your electric bill. These balls, however, do not provide fragrance, and they can be easy to lose and make noise in the dryer.

Related Guides:

• 14 Items You Should Never Put In The Dryer
• Household Items You Can Put In The Washing Machine
• How Often Should I Clean A Dryer Vent?