Anyone ever heard of these or used them? Seems like a great concept and a great way to elimiated fabric softener or dryer sheets.
Gary
Gary
Dryer Max Laundry Dryer Balls
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veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Interesting concept, and I'd like to give 'em a try, but not at that price!
I wonder if they're really any different than the spiky balls you can get at the doggie store for a buck or two?
veg
I wonder if they're really any different than the spiky balls you can get at the doggie store for a buck or two?
veg
hooverwheelaway
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Too funny!
It's really ironic that the topic of these dryer balls was posted...
There's an 8-day Home & Garden show going on in Milwaukee--This past Weekend, then today, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun... Anyways, Hoover has a booth at the show and directly across from our booth is the "Dryer Magic" booth. Her demonstration is mesmerizing! Allow me to repeat parts of her demonstration (After all, I've seen it a hundred times so far...)
All dryer sheets are petrolium-based. The 'softness' is, in reality, the petroleum and other chemicals rubbing off onto our clothes. She points out the warnings on the side of all dryer sheet boxes--to the effect of "Do not use on children's clothing or bed wear that is labeled as 'flame resistant', as the dryer sheets will reduce the flame resistance."
The residue that dryer sheets give off can also mess with the heat sensor in the dryer--leaving a filmy coating on it, and it may not work properly. Same goes for the lint trap. A lot of times, if you pull the lint trap out and try to run water through it, you'll find you can't. Because, again, that residue has built up on the lint trap.
She takes a dryer sheet, pours a bit of water on it, and rubs it around in circles on a mirror. It's pretty interesting what comes off of it--a sudsy soapy sort-of residue. Apparently, you can also take a dryer sheet, and put it in, say a pan that you've cooked something like lasagna in--fill it with hot water, add a dryer sheet, and come back in an hour or two... It helps break down the burnt on cheese/sauce/grease... and makes cleanup a snap.
She then goes into some statistics about how many dryer fires happen per year as a result of that lint-trap not working properly (15,000).
Then there's the mysterious greasy spot that magically appeared on your article of clothing--that wasn't there when your clothes went into the laundry... Caused by the liquid fabric softener or the dryer sheet (again, look at the warning about spotting on your liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets).
The balls are made out of food-grade PVC, and after a few minutes in the dryer, they stop clunking around, and soften up. They "lift and separate" the clothes, and help more evenly re-distribute the heat (and can reduce drying time by up to 25%). This naturally reduces wrinkles and static...
The dryer balls are unscented, but most laundry soaps are... so there really isn't a need for any additional scent.
The hook: If you think about it, you can spend upwards of $100 dollars per year on fabric softeners-liquid and sheets. So, a $20 dollar investment will really save you money in the long run.
Needless to say, I am now the proud owner of... count 'em--2 sets of "Dryer Magic" balls, and I've been pleased with them so far!
~Fred
It's really ironic that the topic of these dryer balls was posted...
There's an 8-day Home & Garden show going on in Milwaukee--This past Weekend, then today, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun... Anyways, Hoover has a booth at the show and directly across from our booth is the "Dryer Magic" booth. Her demonstration is mesmerizing! Allow me to repeat parts of her demonstration (After all, I've seen it a hundred times so far...)
All dryer sheets are petrolium-based. The 'softness' is, in reality, the petroleum and other chemicals rubbing off onto our clothes. She points out the warnings on the side of all dryer sheet boxes--to the effect of "Do not use on children's clothing or bed wear that is labeled as 'flame resistant', as the dryer sheets will reduce the flame resistance."
The residue that dryer sheets give off can also mess with the heat sensor in the dryer--leaving a filmy coating on it, and it may not work properly. Same goes for the lint trap. A lot of times, if you pull the lint trap out and try to run water through it, you'll find you can't. Because, again, that residue has built up on the lint trap.
She takes a dryer sheet, pours a bit of water on it, and rubs it around in circles on a mirror. It's pretty interesting what comes off of it--a sudsy soapy sort-of residue. Apparently, you can also take a dryer sheet, and put it in, say a pan that you've cooked something like lasagna in--fill it with hot water, add a dryer sheet, and come back in an hour or two... It helps break down the burnt on cheese/sauce/grease... and makes cleanup a snap.
She then goes into some statistics about how many dryer fires happen per year as a result of that lint-trap not working properly (15,000).
Then there's the mysterious greasy spot that magically appeared on your article of clothing--that wasn't there when your clothes went into the laundry... Caused by the liquid fabric softener or the dryer sheet (again, look at the warning about spotting on your liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets).
The balls are made out of food-grade PVC, and after a few minutes in the dryer, they stop clunking around, and soften up. They "lift and separate" the clothes, and help more evenly re-distribute the heat (and can reduce drying time by up to 25%). This naturally reduces wrinkles and static...
The dryer balls are unscented, but most laundry soaps are... so there really isn't a need for any additional scent.
The hook: If you think about it, you can spend upwards of $100 dollars per year on fabric softeners-liquid and sheets. So, a $20 dollar investment will really save you money in the long run.
Needless to say, I am now the proud owner of... count 'em--2 sets of "Dryer Magic" balls, and I've been pleased with them so far!
~Fred
Hmmmmmmmm.........
Well heck Fred...you've convinced me; especially the part about the mysterious oily spots on clothing! I threw away two American Eagle polo shirts yesterday because of these dastardly dots that refuse to clean up!
Are these available by internet only, or can you pick them up at the likes of a Bed, Bath, and Beyond?
Venus - a potential believer :-D
Well heck Fred...you've convinced me; especially the part about the mysterious oily spots on clothing! I threw away two American Eagle polo shirts yesterday because of these dastardly dots that refuse to clean up!
Are these available by internet only, or can you pick them up at the likes of a Bed, Bath, and Beyond?
Venus - a potential believer :-D
hooverwheelaway
Well-known member
- Joined
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- Messages
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I can ask that question today...
About the extra wear.
At the home show, they're 2 sets for $20. I'd have no problem picking some up for you, if you want... I'll be there through the weekend.
~Fred
About the extra wear.
At the home show, they're 2 sets for $20. I'd have no problem picking some up for you, if you want... I'll be there through the weekend.
~Fred
Dryer Balls
After starting this posting, I ordered a set of these(hence the name....Gadget Gary). I am glad I did. Seems like they are worth it. Glad I was able to bring it to this forum.
GadgetGary(QVC shop-a-holic)
After starting this posting, I ordered a set of these(hence the name....Gadget Gary). I am glad I did. Seems like they are worth it. Glad I was able to bring it to this forum.
GadgetGary(QVC shop-a-holic)
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
I think I'll pick up a pair, too.
At PetSmart.
veg
At PetSmart.
veg
I'd like to see first-hand the results of a properly controlled test of identical loads dried with liquid softener in the rinse, dryer sheets, these balls, and nothing. Mostly testing of the balls vs. nothing. Call me a skeptic (or is that a Skeksis?), but I'm just not believing they make an appreciable difference.
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
Oh no
I think your more like a gelfling!!!
I think your more like a gelfling!!!
pumper
Well-known member
...what about static cling?
I use unscented sheets strictly to eliminate cling. These balls don't appear to have any effect on that.
I use unscented sheets strictly to eliminate cling. These balls don't appear to have any effect on that.
hooverwheelaway
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More info...
So, I asked some more questions tonight at the home show...
The static cling is caused by the items in the dryer 'knotting up', hitting the dryer wall, and sliding down the drum. The dryer balls in essence bounce around inside the dryer--off of the dryer wall and "lift and separate," thus keeping fabrics from knotting up, and going through that motion of sliding down the drum of the dryer. That helps to eliminate a lot of the static that would normally occur. Of course, naturally, there will always be a little; especially during dry, winter months.. which dryer sheets don't always eliminate 100%.
Pet toys: The problem with using a pet toy is they are made of rubber. So, if you want your clothes smelling of rubber, go ahead. Rubber could also
explode--if the dryer got hot enough. Again, the dryer balls are made of food-grade PVC, which are unscented, and won't explode. They also have a lifetime guarantee (unless the dog grabs it).
Energy Savings: Because the dryer balls allow the heat to more evenly flow through the fabrics, and keep the articles in the dryer from getting tangled--that heat and airflow will dry the clothes faster (up to 25% faster)--resulting in an energy savings.
~Fred
So, I asked some more questions tonight at the home show...
The static cling is caused by the items in the dryer 'knotting up', hitting the dryer wall, and sliding down the drum. The dryer balls in essence bounce around inside the dryer--off of the dryer wall and "lift and separate," thus keeping fabrics from knotting up, and going through that motion of sliding down the drum of the dryer. That helps to eliminate a lot of the static that would normally occur. Of course, naturally, there will always be a little; especially during dry, winter months.. which dryer sheets don't always eliminate 100%.
Pet toys: The problem with using a pet toy is they are made of rubber. So, if you want your clothes smelling of rubber, go ahead. Rubber could also
explode--if the dryer got hot enough. Again, the dryer balls are made of food-grade PVC, which are unscented, and won't explode. They also have a lifetime guarantee (unless the dog grabs it).
Energy Savings: Because the dryer balls allow the heat to more evenly flow through the fabrics, and keep the articles in the dryer from getting tangled--that heat and airflow will dry the clothes faster (up to 25% faster)--resulting in an energy savings.
~Fred
Somebody who has a dryer with a window needs to get a set of these and observe if there's any validity to this static-prevention process.
Do they squeak when you squeeze them?
hooverwheelaway
Well-known member
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LOL..
No... they don't squeak.
They're actually pretty firm until they go into the dryer... I mean, if you whipped one at someone, it could hurt (with the spikes and all...).
No... they don't squeak.
They're actually pretty firm until they go into the dryer... I mean, if you whipped one at someone, it could hurt (with the spikes and all...).
Interesting bit of history and info on fabric softeners...
