A simple 33p tumble dryer hack promises crease-free laundry and quicker drying times, offering a way to cut energy use without giving up the appliance.
After struggling with drying clothes in unpredictable UK weather, one writer turned to her tumble dryer when needed. With energy bills rising, and tumble dryers among the most energy-intensive appliances in the home, she looked for ways to keep costs down without stopping use altogether.
The 33p dryer ball trick
She came across tumble dryer balls, which she had always seen in shops but never researched or purchased. After using them for around a year, she has convinced many family members to buy them too, saying she will never use the dryer without them again.
Tumble dryer balls are small, often wool-based balls placed in the appliance. They help reduce drying time, soften clothes, reduce static and prevent clumping.
How to use them
Using them is simple: place one to three balls into the dryer, depending on the load. Then add wet laundry as usual and run the normal cycle. The balls bounce around, separating fabric, improving airflow and helping clothes dry faster.
The writer bought a pack of three from The Range for just £1, and tends to use all three when drying bedding or towels. She has also seen tumble dryer balls in supermarkets, as well as B&M and Home Bargains.
Results and extra tips
Although she does not use the tumble dryer often, she has found a huge difference when using the drying balls. Her clothes are not creased, they dry much faster, and when drying bedding, it stays separated rather than clumped together.
She sometimes adds a dryer sheet into the tumble dryer, which also cuts down drying time and softens clothes. When paired with the dryer balls, the duo work incredibly well, especially on towels and bedding. They add a lovely fragrance too, but they are single-use, unlike dryer balls, which can be used again and again.
Other ways to speed up drying clothes include not overloading the dryer and running an extra spin cycle in the washing machine beforehand. For those looking to keep energy bills down this winter, a simple boiler adjustment and bleeding radiators can also help save money.
