According to the Federal Environment Agency, fabric softeners used to contain “a certain type of cationic surfactants, which have been largely replaced by other substances with a lower risk potential since 1992 because of their insufficient biodegradability and their particularly high toxicity to aquatic life”. However, it is still a chemical that should be used sparingly. The question arises: What comparable alternatives are there that can make textiles softer? One possibility is the use of so-called dryer balls.
Admittedly, dryer balls don’t exude a fresh scent like fabric softener. However, they bring many other advantages:
Dryer balls are made from a variety of materials, such as wool or plastic, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Another note: It is not recommended to put tennis balls in the tumble dryer, as they can stain textiles – and contain chemicals that dissolve in high heat.
Regardless of which material you choose, it is advisable to put several balls in the dryer at once: four balls are sufficient for smaller amounts of laundry, up to six balls can go in the dryer for larger ones. Because the fact is that more balls also separate more textiles from each other and thus accelerate the process – and save energy. After the laundry has dried, you should store the felt balls open so that they also dry. Do not keep them in closed containers.
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