How were Dizzy Laundry Dryer Balls born?

I was diagnosed with SSCDS in early 2015. It is called Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome. The short of it is that I literally have a hole in my head. In my particular case, I have 3 holes in the base of my skull and one in one of my ear bones. It causes an array of vestibular issues. I have the balance of a toddler; I hear noises inside my body that one normally would not; My eye and hearing nerves mix signals and certain noise frequencies cause my eyeballs to move involuntarily, causing dizziness! There are many other symptoms and ailments caused by this, but those are the biggest ones, Google would have to be your friend here or you can ask questions to learn more. It became so debilitating and frustrating that I took a medical leave from both work and school. Initially, I had this issue on both sides, but in May of 2015, I had a big ole surgery in my head to repair the right side. It is now February 2016 and I am waiting for my left side repair, but I’m pretty bored and well, not making money. I’d previously developed a passion for using wool dryer balls in my laundry and I knew how to make them. Since I’m often dizzy, bored and borderline broke, Dizzy Laundry Dryer Balls were born! I now have a small source of income while also spreading awareness for a pretty rare condition. Awesome, right?! You can read all about my condition on the "What is SCDS" page!

 

Why shouldn’t I just use dryer sheets or fabric softener?

Dryer sheets and fabric softeners contain chemicals that are harsh to your skin and proven to be linked to medical conditions. Some of the chemicals are A-Terpineol - Associated with central nervous system disorders Benzyl Acetate – A carcinogen linked to pancreatic cancer Benzyl Alcohol - An upper respiratory tract irritant Camphor – It’s listed on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list Ethyl Acetate Additionally, these products contain artificial fragrances rather than natural essential oils. Some dryer sheets use animal fats, giving them a waxy feeling when you touch them. As these materials are heated, they release and attach to your laundry, which can cause build-up over time, making towels less absorbent and clothing becomes worn and dingy looking. Plus, think of how much waste you’re adding to landfills with the sheets! Most of all, think of the cost of buying these items over and over! Dryer balls completely replace dryer sheets and eliminate the need for fabric softener.

 

How do they work?

The wool material absorbs the moisture, removing it from your clothes. While bouncing around in the dryer, they also “beat” the softness into your clothes. The heavier the balls are, the more effective they are. You don't want wool balls that weigh less than 1oz, as then you're only getting the effect of forcing a quick breath of air. 

 

How much money will they really save me?

That depends on how much laundry you do. You might have to do the math based on how much you spend on commercial products each month/year then compare. They eliminate the cost of buying sheets and softener on a regular basis because you don’t need them. Since they pull moisture from your clothes, they reduce drying time shortening the dry cycle. For sheets and t-shirt type fabrics, the drying cycle is cut by about half the time with 12 balls. Heavy bath towels, blankets and jeans are done in about 25% less time. This will lower the cost of your energy bills. The only recurring cost you will have is scenting them, if you choose.

 

How many should I buy?

I recommend using at least 6 and personally use 12-18. If you are using smaller ones, add more. For heavier sets, fewer will work. The more you use, the more efficient they are. I offer different sizes, but there comes a point where 1/3 of your dryer space is balls and there3 really isn't much room for them to be effective. My personal stash consists of 8 regular, 1 mega, 2 minis and a big. 

 

How big are they?

I offer "Mini" "Regular" "Big" "Super" and "Mega" sizes. They are categorized by their weight and the actual size can vary. Here is a guide for averages.

Mini sets of 6 - Each ball is about the size of a golf ball, total weight is 6oz-7.9oz

Regular sets of 6 - Each ball is about the size of a baseball, total weight is 8-10oz

Big sets of 6 - each ball is about the size of a tennis ball, total weight is 10-12oz

Super sets of 6 - each ball is about the size of a softball, total weight is 12-15oz

Mega sets of 3 - each ball is about the size of a grapefruit, total weight is 10oz

 They’re also not always a perfect “ball” but sometimes have an odd round shape. You always want to be sure your dryer balls are 100% wool! There are many types of wool.  Dizzy Balls are made with 100% wool at all times. In most cases, I use wool roving yarn for the inside and wool yarn for the bulk of the balls. I will use roving sheets for colored sets. The roving yarn is light in weight, but the yarn makes it heavier. In this case, bigger is not better; heavier is. The internal roving is solely for the purpose of the felting process being more thorough.

 

Do they help with static?

They reduce static just like dryer sheets do. The moisture is absorbed into the balls, instead of requiring hot air to dry. Please note that mixing fabric types can cause static, so if you put a synthetic fiber in with cotton clothing, some static may occur. Finally, during winter months, the air tends to be drier while a furnace is running. Once every 7-10 dry cycles, soak one of your Dizzy Dryer Balls down before placing it in your dryer.

 

 

 

Are they safe?

Yes. Since they are made with a natural fiber, they are safe for children or animals to play with in case they accidentally escape the dryer. For those with a wool allergy, they are felted and this removes the allergenic properties because the fabric is not “shedding” onto your clothing. These dryer balls are safe for sensitive skin. I do not use any chemical related products in the felting process.

 

 

I’d like my Dizzy Balls to be colorful, but am worried the colors will run. Will they?

No. If you purchase dyed dryer balls, they are color fast and the colors will not run onto your clothing. Wool is a natural fiber and they are dyed with natural colors. The wool basically soaks up the color. I don’t use fabric dyes, which do tend to run. Also,  they are rinsed beyond clear then put through multiple wash cycles. I have felted in white socks specifically for testing purposes! 

 

What colors do you offer?

Color options will vary based on my current stock. If you want something specific and I do not have it on hand, I will offer the closest match, or I can order specific colors for an extra chrage. Rainbow sets will always be available.

 

I’m sold on the idea, but I still want my laundry to smell nice. Do you scent Dizzy Balls?

Yes. I can scent them for you at a small additional charge, or you can scent them. I offer a few essential oils and a large selection of fragrance oils. 

 

How long will my Dizzy Balls last? I’m worried the overall cost won’t replace what I spend otherwise.

Dryer balls last from 5-10 years depending on how they are used and how often. Sometimes one will get caught on a zipper or something and come unraveled, but since I use wool yarn and a triple felting process, this is less likely to happen. I’ve been using the same dryer balls for 4 years and with the exception of some pilling over time, they have plenty of years left. The pilling is normal and easy to fix. Should one of your Dizzy Balls unravel, please let me know and I will replace it for you.

 

Why not the plastic balls?

Because they’re made with PVC. Because you’re heating plastic. When heated, the plastic emits fumes and odors that are not safe for inhalation. They also do not reduce drying time by much, if at all. Those are only efficient in replacing dryer sheets and fabric softener because they release steam back into the dryer and “beat” the softness into the clothes. Plus, they’re really LOUD! Sure, Dizzy Balls can be noisier than a dryer sheet but it’s still just fabric and your buttons make more noise when they’re clinking against your dryer. Did I mention the plastic balls are made with PLASTIC?

 

Do you have any questions? Please ask and I will happily add to this list!