Society Nest: DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Society Nest: DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

If you have sensitive skin like me you swore off fragrant dryer sheets a long time ago.  If you don’t have sensitive skin you still might consider swearing off as dryer sheets are one of those household items, that many people use, that happen to have known carcinogens in them.  Enter today’s natural alternative to fabric softener and dyer sheets – DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls! These little babies are cost-effective, long-lasting, and if you like making stuff, are actually oh-so-fun to put together.  Not to mention, they actually speed up drying time while softening your clothes. Who couldn’t use a little more time, and softer clothes? I highly recommend grabbing a group of your girls, a little vino, and making these together because it’s that much more fun.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • 100% wool yarn (Stay away from any wool labeled “superwash” or “machine washable.”)
  • pair of pantyhose
  • blunt-tipped needle or crochet hook
  • scissors
  • all natural laundry soap
  • bowl of water
  • essential oil (optional – I personally prefer doTERRA for their potency and aromatic benefits)

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer BallsSociety Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer BallsSociety Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #1: First, separate your wool into 3 strands and then intertwine in fingers to form a small clump.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #2: Then, begin winding it around itself. If you get wool that hasn’t been bleached or treated, it will still posses natural oils and will stick to itself.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #3: Try to make the balls as tightly wound as possible and then begin lightly tapping around the entire ball with your needle. (warning, I pricked my finger so do be careful on this step – or perhaps have your red wine afterwards and not before ;))

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

After you’ve pricked the ball with your needle it will firm up and then begin to form it’s shape and should be about the size of a tennis ball when all is said and done (ps. my first batch was not as big and they still work, but tennis ball size is better).

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #4: Grab your bowl of warm to hot water (just make sure it’s a comfortable temperature to dip your hands in) and add a few drops of your laundry soap and then dip, lather, rinse and repeat.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer BallsSociety Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #5: After you’ve wrung the excess water out of the wool, select your favorite essential oils and shake a 2-5 drops on each one, then roll in your hands again to work into the ball.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #6: Next, grab your pantyhose and put one ball in a cut off leg. Tie a knot in the pantyhose to secure the ball from slipping out, and then add more balls, and repeat this same initial step.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer BallsSociety Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer BallsSociety Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

Step #7: Throw your pantyhose caterpillar into the dryer on the hottest temperature with some towels. After the cycle you can remove and test by gently scraping your fingernail over the ball to ensure strands/threads do not separate.  If they do, you may need to repeat the washing and drying cycles up to 3 or 4 additional times.

Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls   Society Nest, DIY dōTERRA Wool Dryer Balls

And that’s it! You’re donskies!  Toss about 4 or 5 balls in your dryer with your clothes, watch your drying time cut down, and feel your clothes get softer the au naturel way! For info on purchasing essential oils through doTERRA shoot me an email – info{at}societybride{dot}com 0r go to www.doTerraEssentialOils.com.

WINTER TIP: Put a dry blanket in the dryer with a few wool balls infused with doTERRA Lavender or Serenity; dry on high for 3-5 minutes. Place under your comforter for a toasty under-layer in bed and you will sleep like a baby!

*In case you’re interested here’s some helpful info on the chemicals in traditional dryer sheets and what they can cause: Care2.com

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