Should you use dryer balls or dryer sheets?

Ah, the age-old question: to use dryer balls or dryer sheets? 

If you’re anything like us, this question has kept you up countless nights. But don’t despair! We’re here to finally put it to bed. (lol, get it? bed)

what’s the difference?

For those living under a rock, dryer balls are an alternative to dryer sheets that have been gaining in popularity lately. 

They’re small balls made of wool or plastic that you add to your laundry in the dryer in place of a traditional dryer sheet. Unlike dryer sheets, though, you can use your dryer balls over and over again. Both products claim to reduce wrinkles, soften clothes, and improve the drying experience all around.  

Which is better?

Well, like with everything, it depends on who you ask. 

Man, money just can’t buy a straight answer. 

The blissful sleep of someone unbothered by dryer ball vs. dryer sheet controversies

dryer balls vs. dryer sheets

Some customers prefer dryer balls because they eliminate the risks associated with using potentially toxic dryer sheets.

Yeah, who’d have guessed that of all the things in your home the dryer sheets might be the ones trying to kill you. The blender was much more suspicious. 

Others argue that there’s minimal evidence that dryer sheets are toxic and they’re much better at eliminating static than dryer balls. 

You might actually even see an increase in static when you use dryer balls which is less than ideal. Unless, of course, you want a way to get supercharged and shock your enemies. In that case, dryer balls are the way to go!     

If the smell of laundry straight out of the dryer is intoxicating to you, then you’re probably going to want to stick with scented dryer sheets. On that front, dryer balls just don’t compare. 

Tfw the sheets smell so good you just have to bury your nose in them

Where dryer balls are the big winner, though, is sustainability – specifically, wool dryer balls.

Because they can be used repeatedly, dryer balls create much less waste than dryer sheets which are just doomed to end up in a giant heap of trash. 

They also save you money over the long-term after your initial investment (as little as $10 for 4) since you should be able to use them for as many as 1,000 loads of laundry.

That’s a lot of laundry.  

the bottom line

Our suggestion has always been to dry your sheets with dryer balls after properly washing them. They’re more sustainable than dryer sheets, possibly more effective, and definitely more fun (if you’re into that sort of thing).  

Of course, dryer sheets are a fine choice, too. There’s no need for a war between dryer sheets and dryer balls, but let’s be honest, the dryer balls would win. Have you seen the spikes on the plastic ones?

If you decide to go with dryer balls you still have a big decision to make between plastic and wool. Personally, we like wool dryer balls. They're not only the more popular choice of the two, they're also more sustainable. Plastic dryer balls are going to shed microplastics and we've gone on the record as being against those things.

Once you have your dryer aids–whichever ones you go with–you’ll need something to dry. Might we recommend our soft, sustainable, moisture-wicking eucalyptus sheets?

Drying them with dryer sheets or dryer balls is fun but sleeping on them is even better. Really. Give 'em a try.  

Soft and luxurious no matter what you use to dry them