Companies may like to blame millennials for killing fabric softener, claiming they “dont even know what the product is for,” but this group of consumers just might be onto something.
We get that many people love the fresh smell, soft touch, and lack of static cling that dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners impart, but these products could ultimately be causing you more harm than good. Fabric softeners contain synthetic chemicals that can cause skin irritation, heightened asthma, reproductive harm, and even an increased risk of cancer, according to the Environmental Working Group. Yikes.
But the good news is that theres a whole slew of natural ingredients you can use to mimic these same effects in the laundry room. For that fresh smell, theres distilled white vinegar. For that soft touch, try baking soda. To get rid of static cling? Believe it or not, aluminum foil balls are a great DIY solution. Keep reading to find out how they work in your dryer.
No, foil balls are lightweight and smooth out with use, so they will not damage the drum. And for those of you also wondering about leeching, rest assured, aluminum foil balls are safe. Unlike with food, aluminum will not leech onto clothes or fabric in a dryer.
Laundry isnt all that fun.For most of us though, its routine housework that can turn sour rather quickly if things go wrong. Im talking food stains that refuse to come out, color run accidents, a dryer that isnt drying, shrinking—all that fun stuff. And in cold months, we all get to experience the joy of static in our clothes. The clingy sleeves and hems can be avoided with the help of a kitchen essential: aluminum foil. Put tightly crumpled aluminum foil balls in the dryer cycles to eliminate static and separate your clothes safely. For squeaky-clean silverware, you can also put aluminum foil in your dishwasher. Who knew?
How do they work? Science! According to CNET, when pieces of laundry tumble around in the dryer, electrons are exchanged. Some pieces become negatively charged, while some become positively charged. Once the cycle is over, the oppositely charged pieces stick to one another, which is static cling. The insertion of aluminum foil balls into the process, however, help disrupt this process — and speed up drying — by discharging static buildup and keeping clothes separated.
But the good news is that theres a whole slew of natural ingredients you can use to mimic these same effects in the laundry room. For that fresh smell, theres distilled white vinegar. For that soft touch, try baking soda. To get rid of static cling? Believe it or not, aluminum foil balls are a great DIY solution. Keep reading to find out how they work in your dryer.
To make your own at home, it honestly couldnt be simpler. Take about three or four square feet of aluminum foil, and squeeze it tightly into a ball between two and three inches in diameter. Smooth down any bits that are sticking up so the ball doesnt come apart or snag fabric in the dryer. Most loads will require two or three balls to effectively combat static, and your DIY dryer ball should last for months.
Companies may like to blame millennials for killing fabric softener, claiming they “dont even know what the product is for,” but this group of consumers just might be onto something.
We get that many people love the fresh smell, soft touch, and lack of static cling that dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners impart, but these products could ultimately be causing you more harm than good. Fabric softeners contain synthetic chemicals that can cause skin irritation, heightened asthma, reproductive harm, and even an increased risk of cancer, according to the Environmental Working Group. Yikes.
Put Aluminum FOIL in WASHING MACHINE & DRYER!! (Be AMAZED with What Happens Next!?) Andrea Jean
FAQ
Can dryer balls damage dryer?
Are dryer balls safer than dryer sheets?
Can you put aluminum foil in a dryer?
You may have heard of people using balls of aluminum foil in the dryer. This is a DIY cleaning hack that reduces static electricity and is free of harmful chemicals—so long dryer sheets! To do this, simply create two or three balls of aluminum foil, roughly 3–4 inches (8–10 centimeters) in diameter and toss them in with your load of laundry.
Are aluminum foil balls better than dryer sheets?
But first, it’s worth pointing out some of the advantages aluminum foil balls have over dryer sheets, beyond any potential anti-static properties. Aluminum foil balls are super affordable compared with dryer sheets. A single dryer sheet costs 41 cents and does one load of laundry.
Can you put aluminum balls in a dryer?
Throwing a few balls of aluminum in the dryer will fight this. The foil balls both discharge any static buildup that the clothes may experience and help keep the clothes separated, which should speed up the drying process. Aluminum dryer balls are insanely cheap — about 15 cents for all three balls.
Can you put foil balls in a clothes dryer?
While foil balls in the clothes dryer help to reduce static, there are some things you should know to protect your clothing. Keep reading for a closer look at how static buildup occurs, how metal foil helps, plus other eco-friendly static reducers. Is it safe to put aluminum foil in the dryer?