UnTreeHugger: Nellie's Dryer Balls

This is frustrating. So we shouldn't use Bounce Sheets, and I shouldn't use dryer balls. What then, pray tell, are the environmentally responsible alternatives?

Options we've mentioned before to soften your clothes naturally:

-Use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the wash cycle of your clothes.

(Note: Don't use vinegar when you're using bleach because the mixture can create toxic fumes.)

-Put a dab of all-natural, nontoxic fabric softener (from a company such as Seventh Generation) on a damp cloth and toss that into the dryer with your clothes.

I'm glad to see Treehugger call out the crazy "environmental" claims of the above product. I often see products that sound great in theory, and then I have to dig like crazy to find out what they're made from and where. It's like pulling teeth to get the CORRECT info.

I for one just bought a pair very similar to those in the article. I thought about the purchase carefully. I decided I prefer the plastic balls to killing trees for dryer sheets & packaging. Is this solution perfect?...no, not in the least. The best solution would be sun & air dry on a clothes line.

I received some of these as a gift a while back, and use them regularly. I could care less about softness, but they do seem to reduce the time needed to dry sheets and other large items because they keep them from bunching up in the dryer. Could be that they make no difference, as I haven't done any rigorous testing.

Pros:
- This gadget seem to work
- Saves you money

Cons:
- Toxic to produce
- Toxic to keep
- Made in China

The only solution i see is someone making an HDPE version of this gadget for washing.. Any takers?

@John: I've heard that two tennis balls thrown into the dryer will do the same trick, but I can't vouch for that since I haven't tried it myself. When I do, I'll report back fo' shizzle.

What's the best solution? Use neither. Either use the dryer with no dryer sheets, or just hang stuff up on a line or drying rack. Back when we had a dryer, I dried things without dryer sheets. Whenever my mother came to visit, she insisted on doing our laundry for us, and she does use them. Except for the smell of the fabric softener, I never noticed any difference in the feel of the towels or clothes.

I havent used fabric softner in my whole life, i am nto quite certain what the deal is.

I never used dryer sheets growing up, but my fiancee insists on using them. I found it funny that not only can I not tell the difference, but she can't tell the difference either, if I lie and tell her I put a sheet in (we use the unscented ones).

I agree with others about the confusion over the need for dryer sheets. I use to use them a long time ago simply because that is what my mom did. Then I ran out and dried without them. I could not tell the difference so I never bought any more.

Now I don't even use the dryer but instead hang all my clothes out to dry. This is actually a plus in the winter, as I hang my clothes up around the house where the vents can blow them dry. This speeds up the drying as well as adds some nice moisture to the dry winter air.

I was so pleased when I saw this heading--I thought treehugger was right on, realizing that softener sheets are a non-issue compared to the energy used by the dryer. But no, this goes off complaining about a few ounces of PVC that will last decades while ignoring the 800 lb gorrilla: the 800 lbs of coal that needs to be burned each year to power an electric dryer. 8000 lbs over the ten year life of the dryer. Out of sight, out of mind. Perhaps we need coal-burning dryers: If you had to shovel the coal yourself, it would be harder to forget about.

I agree that it would be better to make them out of something other than PVC, but saying that solved the problem would be like painting an SUV with low VOC paint and claiming it's a low-emission vehicle.

footnote: 800 lbs of coal is based on 1000 kWh/year for an electric dryer which is typical in the US, and 100% coal power; though that's the largest source of electric power in the US, your power will come from some mix of sources, which means less coal but the other sources entail other environmental impacts.

How about a follow-up article from a fabric softener expert? Most fabric softener sheets like "Bounce" are loaded with toxic health harming fragrance. I'm not able to work in my yard when my neighbors dryer vent is blowing this stuff.

Hmm. What should I do if I already bought them a while back? I live in an apartment, and dry everything (indoors only, because of management/logistics) either on folding accordion racks or a clothesline - except for sheets and towels. Clothes dry out quickly enough but towels & sheets can dry so slowly they grow a mouldy smell, so only those go into the dryer. The dryer balls help them dry faster and more evenly. But am I saturating my textiles with dioxin? And is it now better to continue using an evil already created, or abandon it to a landfill instead?

There's also a way to create your own homemade, all-natural dryer sheets out of hair conditioner.

Check it out here.

1) I have lived in places where not using dryer sheets results in clothes that aren't soft. They were practically unwearable, actually. I think it depends on the water they're washed in, but I'm not sure. Where I am now, I do not need fabric softener at all.

2) I completely support line-drying and I think that's the best for your clothes and for the environment, in general, but it's not perfect. First, it's not practical outdoors in all areas for all seasons. Second, as we encourage more people to live in smaller homes and have less stuff, we run out of places to dry indoors, and have a greater need for our stuff to dry faster. e.g. should you buy enough cloth diapers that you can wait four days for them to dry, or should you have fewer and put them in a dryer?

It does seem that some products that are touted as being environmentally good, have some kind of unsavory connection to environmental harm. For instance, I never knew that the battery manufacture for the Prius caused as much environmental damage as they do between the mining and the manufacturing process for batteries for a car promoted as Green. Witch kind of ticks me off as I bought one for the Green factor and the gas factor. I could have bought a lot cheaper economy car and saved more over the long run than I will with the Prius, so saving money was not as major factor as trying to do something good. Which , turned out to be bad.

Clothing stiffness is caused by hard water (lots of dissolved minerals) that stay behind on your clothing after they are dried. Repeated washings and dryings take mineral build up to the point where texture or "hand" is affected. Adding softeners does NOT reduce this in any way. It merely puts a lubricant on the fabric that gives a slick feel.

One way to avoid mineral build up is to use washing machine with a horizontal drum that has a "high extraction" setting. The more you extract of rinse water, the less minerals are left to condense on the fabric. Note that this will not help with bath towels which get extra wetness.

A water softener hooked into the washing supply line also may help by converting carbonate to soluble chloride - but I admit that I am less sure about this one.

How about...just using less laundry detergent? I wash in cold water with less than the recommended amount of detergent, then line-dry and don't have a problem with the softness of my clothes.

Can anyone comment on the reusable cotton sheets that are used to eliminate static? I live in a cold and dry area in the winter and static is a huge problem. Drying outdoors would not work as the water in the clothes would just freeze.
I have found some on nontoxic.com and grassrootsstore.com and just wondered if they were effective and the claims to be safe were true.

Wannabe raises a good point. A variety of silicate minerals are added to solid detergents as "filler". Traditionally this was done to help the consumer measure more accurately and to "extend" the product volume per load to require massive boxes on the grocery shelves, at eye level, so the box because the advertisement. It was a marketing ploy in other words.

The best way to cut down on silicate mineral addition and the commensurate hardness on your clothing is to use the ultra-concentrate liquid detergents. Those are the ones with the tiny measuring caps. Using these also results in less packaging - a win win.

What I would like help understanding is why so many women prefer their cloths to come out of the dryer smelling with those awful dryer sheet perfumes. And to be politically un-correct: real men don't use dryer sheets!

Someone mentioned the vinegar earlier. It really works! Over the last few months, I have greened my laundry by replacing my detergent with bio-degradable detergent, nixing the bleach and softener, and line drying all my clothes. My clothes were coming out stiff though and my husband was getting cranky (especially the socks) and I was going to have an anti-green revolt. I was putting the stiff stuff in the dryer on air fluff for 10 minutes, which did the trick for the most part. When I added vinegar to the softener cup, that REALLY did the trick. Most of my line-dried load is now just as soft as a traditional electic-dryer-with-softener. And there is absolutely no vinegar smell, which is what I was worried about.

Okay, well so we know the dryer balls are bad. So how about we just go back to the original. My mom used to use tennis balls that had seen better days. Once they lose their bounce and can't be used for tennis. Re-use them for the laundry. I am not sure if they are quite as effective since I have never used the special spikey laundry versions. Anyone have any experience comparing the two?

I would just like to say that I LIKE stiff clothes. They keep a better crease, and when you put them on you get a real feeling that you're putting on FRESH clothes. I have always considered fabric softener to be kind of un-American.

JL: Thanks for the explanation, and the suggestion that washing machines with a high-speed spin capability help. (Note that you can buy a stand-alone high-speed spinner for a lot less than a new washer, and save on both drying time and gain the softness advantage that JL points out. For discussion of the available options, see http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf826608.tip.html)

But, JL, I don't understand why this doesn't apply to towels. I would think that because they hold more water, this would only become more important. Also, note that using conventional fabric softener on towels decreases their absorbency--it's like putting a bit of a waxy coating on them.

The other suggestions of vinegar and concentrated (or less) detergent are great--thanks.

Note that you can dry stuff outdoors even if it freezes--see http://www.laundrylist.org/tips/faq.htm
It can take a while so I don't recommend it for heavy stuff like jeans and towels. Or hang stuff indoors, since it tends to be dry inside in the winter and the humidification you get may be helpful. (As lorryfach notes, don't go building or buying a big house just so you can do this, but if you have the space, use it.)

For more tips on how line-drying can be (almost) as easy as using a dryer, see http://www.instructables.com/id/Lazy-Line-Dry/

Okaaaaay....

So, I already bought them months ago. So, I can't undo that production.

Can anyone say with certainty that our current use of these "balls" leaves toxins on our clothes?

Thanks!

I've never understood the whole dryer thing. Why not just hang your clothes on a rack?

The only thing I put in the dryer are towels.

Fabric softeners, drier balls and the like - including vinegar - soften clothing by breaking down the fibers. (Like meat tenderizer) They essentially reduce the life of your clothing by wearing them out faster. Just as an old t-shirt or jeans are much softer than new ones. So aside from the waste from creating/transporting and disposing of such products, you have fabrics wearing out quicker and being replaced more frequently, causing more manufacturing, etc.

I've never used a fabric softener, as I haven't had the water issues that can lead to stiff clothing, but I know that some people also use dryer sheets to control static. Anyone have suggestions for controlling static without using drier sheets and the like?

Static electricity in clothing which is thick, especially cottons, can be controlled by setting the drier a a slightly "less than dry" setting. Saves energy too. Get the setting right and you'll not be able to feel moisture either.

Another way to control static in a load of easy dry fabrics like nylons, undies or thin polyesters is to toss in a damp cotton towel with them. Cotton loses moisture much more slowly that petro fabrics and will keep just enough moisture amidst an otherwise dry load to completely eliminate any static - even in winter. I promise it will work every time.

Ugh! I've been using those dryer balls for months now, because they cut out the static cling. I couldn't care less about fabric softner and can't stand the chemically scent nonorganic softners leave behind. We've been using soap nuts for over a year now to wash our clothes, and they're great! No scent and they soften your clothes as well as clean them. And you can toss the used ones in your compost pile.

I'll have to try reducing the heat in my dryer to try to reduce the static, but there must be a fine line between damp and almost dry. I don't want damp clothes getting moldy.

As for archaic dryer use: we live in a townhouse development. No hanging the laundry outside. And with a family of four, space for drying clothes is at a premium. At least we get our electricity from renewable sources!

When my son was born, I read up about natural detergents and fabric softeners. I learned that fabric softeners reduce flame retardancy of fabric. I exclusively use vinegar with a little lavender essential oil in the rinse cycle. You can't smell the vinegar and my clothes don't have static. I also add borax to the detergent as it adds natural flame resistance as well as extra cleaning power. I have yet to find a decent recipe for homemade detergent, though.

I cannot believe this is a discussion about which clothes dryer softener is the most environmentally firendly. if you are really serious about the environment you won't have a clothes drier.

I find this to be quite a ridiculous conversation. I don't have a dryer and on the very few occasions I have wanted to use one I have gone to the laundromat. Most Australian homes have a line and a dryer (some only have one or the other), and dryers are usually only used as emergency back-up for urgently needed clothes. Line drying seems to have an unfortunate stigma to it here in the US.

Oh, and when I lived at my parents' house (only place I've lived with a dryer) the only thing we ever put in it was clothes. Nothing else. No worries.

You can get a spin dryer for only about $130 which has a much higher spin speed than even a top of the line front loader.

I haven't bought laundry detergent in months because I use a half and half mix of Borax and Washing Soda.

I tried using vinegar in the rinse cycle for a while, but I turned up with some stains on my clothing and *did* start to whiff vinegar on myself. Yuck.

Nobody has yet answered the quesiton (asked twice now) about whether these balls leave a toxic residue on clothes.

To Wendy and anyone else wondering if the dryer balls leave a toxic residue on clothes... 1)I guessing yes. They sound like they are one big ball of toxin that we are heating over and over. It doesn't take a reasearch study to find out that will leave little bits on your clothes. 2)Does it matter? Are you planning on buying them if they don't leave toxins on your clothes but they do leave toxins all over your world and in your body?

I post this comment having been one of the people who got sucked into buying these darn things. (Not this exact brand.) No more for me. I may even send them back and demand a refund.

First, it is my understanding that dioxin is a by-product of production. It is not an ingredient of plastic. Dioxin is a by-product of paper-making, cotton-bleaching, and apparently dryerballs. But IMHO, and to answer the question, it is not leaching off into your clothes.

Second, to all the people who have never used a dryer, I have to commend you. Good job. The world thanks you. And then I have to say, with all due respect, Get Over Yourself. I am impressed at the number of posts by people who have successfully gotten through life without a dryer. I am not one of them.

I hate to think that someone had a positive experience buying dryerballs as their first foray into a green lifestyle and then read this article. They might as well give up. Not a very welcoming community if you ask me. Are we here to pat ourselves on the back or to save the world?

A more constructive line of conversation - and a question that was asked multiple times: what if I bought dryerballs? Do I toss them in a landfill or keep using them?

One option - if you bought Nellie's brand dryerballs, they do have a TWO YEAR GUARANTEE. You can return them for a full refund- and tell them why. If you didn't buy Nellie's, return them anyway. You don't get your money back, but you will send a message to that company.

As with all purchases of "green" products, there are shades of green. If you are a level 5 vegan (doesn't eat anything that casts a shadow), maybe you've moved past such things as electricity and plastic, but for the rest of us....

Oh well, this article is so old, most people probably aren't even going to read this.

Peace out.

Taj - Love your comments! I did read them, and I hope others do, too. Thanks for posting.

As far as PVC is concerned, my understanding is that PVC does "leach" when the plastic "heats up." The same goes for water bottles made out of PVC plastic- (which was a big NPR discussion of this 2007 year.)

And also, while I am here... I would like to say that I wish more people should be conscious of the types materials that sex toys are made of!!! I work in a high end adult retailer & I see this (for lack of a better term) ignorance -everyday-.

PVC dryer balls & food containers are one thing...but how does a PVC sex toy sound?!?

By the way if you do happen to own toys that are made of some type of PVC material (note: there are many)- PLEASE use them WITH a condom! It's not a solution to the problem BUT it *slightly* helps with use. Also PVC sex toys need to be replaced CONSTANTLY- which is also NOT very green at all. ;-(

FYI - Nonporous sex toy materials are *generally* the best on both aspects of health & the environment.

I hope this was helpful. And, yes, I understand it may be little off topic. I just care about people & wanted to shed light on the uses of PVC materials as a whole. One things I can say to relate both topics, the dyer ball & with sexual adult products...Is that when consumers demand better product the manufactures most often WILL listen. I've worked as a "sex toy educator" for close to 5 years now, & I am FINALLY seeing some results in that industry.

Best wishes to all & thanks for reading my "small rant". Just remember- i care.

For more info on "safe &/or green sex toys":
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/09/treehuggertv_sextoys.php

&/OR:
http://www.tinynibbles.com/unsafe.html

@ Sassy Priscilla: Flame retardants are toxic for children. Here's some info: http://www.healthychildrenproject.org/actions/pbdes.html

Flame retardants are added to polyester children's clothes, because they are made of plastic and they can melt onto the skin and cause severe burns. 100% cotton clothes don't have this problem, so they aren't treated with flame retardants, and that makes them better for your health. For your child's health it's best to avoid polyester clothing, sleep sacks, and blankets. Get cotton ones instead.

Unfortunately, mattresses are really heavily treated with flame retardants -- the US recently adopted California's flame-resistant standards on this, so mattresses now have more chemicals than ever. This is something worth fighting to change. Unless you fall asleep with lit cigarettes or candles in your bed, the chance that the flame retardants will save you is minuscule -- when people die in bed from fires that didn't start there it's usually from smoke inhalation. So we're all being poisoned in our sleep to prevent a handful of avoidable fires (and, to be fair, I'm sure a handful of fires started in beds by electrical problems or something). Organic, natural-fiber mattresses are an alternative but they're REALLY expensive. I'm going to spend the money for an organic crib mattress, but I can't afford to do that for adult mattresses.

Another site that's helpful re: kids and flame retardants -- HealthyCar.org tests car seats for levels of toxic chemicals & tells you which are safer.

Check these out. They are nontoxic reusable dryer sheets that last a year and are cheap.
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=311762&cmSource=Search

Great article... but since I got some dryer balls for a gift, instead of tossing them in a landfill, it's better to keep using 'em (instead of sheets), right? Or is it un-environmentally friendly to even use them?

Thank you thank you! I've just begun shopping for ways to be more sustainable ecologically and reduce my consumerist brainwashing. I will go with reusable dryer sheets from nontoxic.com.

I'm sad because I liked the idea of shortening my dryer time.