Wool dryer balls

I continue to find new things to make with wool. I had some left over pieces from my slippers and nature bags so I wanted to use them up. On a few sites I have seen information about wool dryer balls. Well there, who knew that you didn't need those awful dryer sheets.

I did a little research and I found out that people are saying that they work.  When you place some in the dryer they bounce around and move the clothes which causes more air in between the clothes. This makes the clothes dry quicker. When you first put your clothes in, the wool absorbs some of the moisture, as the clothes dry some of that moisture is released back into the dryer. This helps eliminate static in your clothes. Some people have said the clothes come out softer too.

I wish I had heard of this before. No more dryer sheets for us. I had to try it.

Supplies needed are wool scraps, wool roving, old nylon stockings, and a washing machine. I also used some wool yarn to wrap around it. Using all wool  is important.

Supplies, as you can see these were scraps left from other projects.

Wrap the wool into a ball. Then wrap the roving around it. I added some yarn also.

Place in the nylon stockings and tie a not after each one to separate them. Put in the washing machine and wash with hot water and soap. You may need to do a few cycles. Then dry on high heat.

Not pretty but they do work. I am going to put another layer of roving and felt it again. Layers are suppose to make them last longer and work better.

Looks great.



**** I have to add an update to this post. I did what all the other sites said, put the balls in the dryer with my clothes. Mine did not lower the time and I think there was more static. So I looked into the science of it, did a few experiments and came up with my own plan. We are in the North Eastern part of America and we have dry winters. I wash the balls with my clothes or run them under water before putting them in the dryer with the clothes. This has decreased the time and reduced the static. Finally it works....I so wanted it to work!!!

NO SHAMPOO

 We are now three weeks into our no shampoo experience. My husband is still using it, not ready to make the switch.   At first I thought, yuck that seems like it would be gross.

Then I started reseaerching online people who have gone to no shampoo and wrote about it. Some people have expressed that their hair was very dry and itchy. That was my hair.   I though wow if this worked for them maybe I should try it.

 My hair history - After my daughter was born my hair thinned and became very dry.  It becomes extremely itchy and flaky during the winter. It has never gone back to the original full curls that I had when I was younger. I would love to have that back.

What I do

Twice a week I make a paste with baking soda and water.  Then I put that on my roots, let it sit for a minute then rinse it out. Why this step you ask. When we wash our hair over and over again we are washing away natural oils that our bodies produce. When you stop washing, your hair still produces the amount that it was until it detects that you don't need that much anymore. So the baking soda absorbs this excess oil.

Next step for me is every 2 days I use apple cider vinegar and water. I mix one part vinegar to 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Then I spray all over my hair, this time avoiding my scalp. Let that sit for two minutes, then rinse.  This conditions the hair.

I may experiment with honey or natural oils at some point.  So far though my hair is fuller and the itchy and flaky scalp is gone. I am really happy that it has worked out for me. Now to work on the husband.  The kids don't mind it but they don't like the smell of the vinegar when I spray it on.

Answers.
-It does not leave my hair smelling like vinegar.
-I don't use styling gel, spray or anything. So I couldn't tell you how these come out.
-On other days I just rinse my hair with water, or I just put it up with a scrunchie.