Dryer Balls

CantWait wrote: Anyone try these? Do they work well for static?

Russia doesn't believe in dryer sheets, but it's super dry here and there's static on everything so I was thinking of getting my mom to send me a dryer ball (I think they have them at Walmart), but wanted to know if it's worth it first.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I used them, and found them to be a waste of money. Not only did it not work on static one of them broke appart in the dryer

MommyToAshley replied: I tried them as well... mine didn't fall apart but I didn't notice any difference with static or drying time. I agree, big waste of money. Can you get any kind of fabric softener there? I use downey in the wash and don't use dryer sheets and don't have any problems with static.

luvmykids replied: They didn't do a thing for me. What about using vinegar during the rinse cycle?

What does everyone else there do, walk around with their skirts stuck to their undies?

CantWait replied:

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I haven't noticed a really big difference with them, either. I don't use fabric softener anymore because I have heard that it wears your clothes out faster, and I don't like the filmy feeling you get with dryer sheets. I use white vinegar in my downy balls sometimes, and that seems to help. Plus it makes me feel like they're getting sanitized or something too.

luvmykids replied: I'd be happy to send you some dryer sheets, let me know if you can't find another option.

CantWait replied:
Thanks, I wrote my mom a note on the envelope I sent with money to send me some.

coasterqueen replied: I use vinegar in the wash. I've also used tennis balls in the dryer and they've worked. I just lost my tennis balls to the kids playing with them and never got them back.

So I guess I'm the lone one on noticing them working. I just used tennis balls because we had them around - instead of buying the special dryer balls.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I should try tennis balls. I used to have some for drying the down comforter and down coats and stuff, but I have no idea what happened to them. Actually I think we started playing tennis with them. I wonder if they would work better than the dryer balls.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah we were supposed to use ours for tennis, but we never found the time to go and without kids.

I don't know if they work like the dryer balls or not, or if they are better. Winter is the only time I have a need for them, it doesn't seem to be a problem in spring/summer and most times I'm drying them outside at those times of the year anyways.

I've noticed a big difference with the vinegar, though. Dryer sheets and fab softner leave such a thick film on clothing and that isn't the case with the vinegar. I was afraid to use it at first because of the smell, but you don't smell it.

msoulz replied: Karen, how much vinegar do you use and when do you put it in? Thanks!!!!

coasterqueen replied:
I would have to measure it. I just have a compartment in my washing machine for fabric softner - and that's where I put it and I fill it all the way up.

moped replied:
I could send you some too - I buy a million at Costco for next to nothing!

CantWait replied: You guys are awesome.

I'll definetly try the vinager and tennis balls.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I know what you mean! I stopped using fabric softener a couple years ago just to save money, and also partly because I was starting to wash the kids clothes together with ours and I didn't want the chemicals on their skin. I didn't like the filmy feeling either, but I didn't really notice it until a couple months ago- I used some of my mom's dryer sheets on the towels to make them softer and I could hard stand to fold them they felt so gross.

WAHMalicia replied: I use Melasoft. It's a fabric softener that is pH balanced for sensitive skin and it doesn't have ANY harsh chemicals in it. I found out that Downy and other brands actually use animal fat in their ingredients, to give the clothes that "soft" (icky) feeling you were talking about
I save money too! It's cheaper than normal brands. I can get you some info on it if you'd like.

Alicia