The Repurposing Life

Homemade Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls: how to make & use. I recently became aware of the existence of “dryer balls.” These balls, usually made of wool, are “felted” (a process I describe below).

And are a perfect chemical-free, non-toxic, zero waste, and plastic-free alternative to commercially manufactured “dryer sheets.” Why dryer balls? Aside from the above mentioned benefits, they cut down on drying time, which saves on energy costs and usage.

A More Ecological Choice

They’re a much healthier alternative for both humans and the environment. Dryer balls are commercially available for relatively cheap. But, everyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of the DIY. I chose to make my own, following the process described below. I’ve never used commercial fabric softener nor dryer sheets. For a variety of reasons:

• They’re both completely unnecessary
• They contain all manner of toxic ingredients and fragrances
• They’re made of polyester (another name for plastic, yikes!)
• Their manufacturing creates a tremendous carbon footprint

More scary scientific facts after the tutorial. Let’s get to the good stuff. How to DIY wool dryer balls:

Healthier, Nontoxic Alternatives

There are several alternatives to dryer sheets that can help with static cling without risking your health and safety. Most of these alternatives are either less expensive than dryer sheets, or can be reused over and over. Next time you dry your laundry, consider these options:

• Reusable wool dryer balls. Commercially available or DIY.
• White vinegar. Spray some vinegar on a washcloth and add it to the dryer, or add a 1/4 cup of vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle.
• Essential oils. Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oils to a washcloth and add it to the dryer. (4)
• Baking soda. Add a little baking soda to your laundry during the wash cycle.
• Air-drying. Hang your laundry on a clothesline rather than putting it in the dryer.

Keep in mind that due to the unethical branding/advertising technique known as “green washing,” even fragranced dryer sheets and laundry products that are labeled “green,” “eco-friendly, “all-natural,” or “organic” can release hazardous compounds.

Commercial Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets contain many ingredients, but the most common are:

• made of non-woven polyester fabric (another name for plastic)
• dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammoinum methosulfate (DHM), a softening and antistatic agent (1)
• fatty acid, a softening agent
• polyester substrate (PET), a carrier (2)
• clay, a rheology modifier, which helps control the viscosity of the coating as it begins to melt in the dryer (3)
• fragrances

These are only a few reasons of why intelligent consumers who wish to protect their health avoid brand name dryer sheets, laundry detergents, and even perfumes and colognes that are all made with toxic fragrance chemicals that can cause cancer, liver disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and many other chronic diseases. 

Other Commercial Products

Products that contain fragrance ingredients, but which are not applied to the skin, like dryer sheets; are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, the CPSC doesn’t require manufacturers to disclose the ingredients used in their products.

A National Center for Biotechnology Information 2011 study found that breathing in scented products caused:

• irritation to the eyes and airways
• allergic skin reactions
• migraine attacks
• asthma attacks

A study by Springer Nature Switzerland, AG, found up to 12.5 percent of adults reported asthma attacks, skin problems, and migraine attacks from the fragrance of laundry products coming from a dryer vent.

In another 2011 study, published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, researchers discovered dryer vents emitted more than 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gasses released into the air from the use of products. VOCs may be harmful by themselves, or they may react with other gases in the air to create harmful air pollutants. VOCs have been linked to respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and cancer.

According to the American Lung Association, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health study, VOCs emitted from dryer vents after using popular brands of laundry detergent and scented dryer sheets included chemicals like acetaldehyde and benzene, which are considered carcinogenic.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies some VOCs as “hazardous air pollutants” (HAPs). The study found seven VOCs in dryer vent emissions classified as such.

(1) Dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammoinum methosulfate is rated a D+ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which means that it is a “high concern” and there are likely hazards to health or environment. 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxics and sensitizers – capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.

(2) Polyester (PET) substrate films are widely used as substrates for thin film vacuum deposition and many other coating processes. Many of the useful properties of PET films result from the manufacturing process which, at the same time, induces some degree of non-uniformity in the film properties.

(3) Rheology Modifiers enable the adjusting of the flow behavior of paints. Sag resistance of a paint is improved by rapid but controlled viscosity increase, after application. During transportation and storage of the paint, rheology modifiers prevent sedimentation of the pigments.

(4) I used Lavender essential oils for this method, but after a few washes, my skin became irritated and broke out in a rash. I came to find out that the Lavender herb has antiseptic qualities. These are great in small quantities as a natural disinfectant and anti-bacterial. But its over use can lead to an allergic response. Especially in people with respiratory chemical sensitivities or sensitive skin. Use with caution.

Sources:
Environmental Working Group
https://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/152347-polyestersubstrate/
What’s In a Can? Rheology Modifiers
https://www.mcpolymers.com/library/whats-in-a-can-rheology-modifiers
U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science & Technology
“Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace,” Sept. 16, 1986. Report 99-827.
https://science.house.gov/
HathiTrust Digital Library
“Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace Report“
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/003501963
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/
U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
National Institutes of Health
https://www.nih.gov/
National Center for Biotechnology Information
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Springer Nature Switzerland, AG
1) Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z
2) Chemical emissions from residential dryer vents during use of fragranced laundry products
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-011-0156-1
American Lung Association
Volatile Organic Compounds
https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/volatile-organic-compounds.html
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
https://www.epa.gov/

Source:
DIY Wool Dryer Balls
Photos courtesy: Mimi Baker on Woven by Words
https://www.wovenbywords.com/2017/01/diy-wool-dryer-balls.html

Other online sources of tutorials on making wool dryer balls:
https://thediymommy.com/make-diy-dryer-balls/
https://pinkfortitude.com/wool-dryer-balls/
https://permacrafters.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls/
https://meredithamand.com/how-i-made-diy-dryer-balls/
https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/diy-homemade-wool-dryer-balls/
https://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/how-to-make-your-own-diy-dryer-balls/
https://thefrugalgirls.com/2016/09/diy-wool-dryer-balls.html
https://livesimply.me/homemade-wool-dryer-balls/
https://prodigalpieces.com/diy-wool-dryer-balls-upcycled-sweater/