How to Make Wool Dryer Balls: 3 Easy Methods

Learning how to make wool dryer balls is an easy way to create a reusable alternative to disposable dryer sheets. Best of all, you can make DIY wool dryer balls from wool yarn, an old wool sweater, or wool roving.

I’ve been using wool dryer balls for years, and I love that they can be used over and over again. They’re inexpensive to make, and you can even decorate them with needle-felted designs if you want to make a set for yourself or give them as a handmade gift.

Below I’ll show you three different ways to make felted wool dryer balls, along with the pros and cons of each method.

Felted wool dryer balls made from natural wool

Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are a reusable alternative to disposable dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Toss a few into the dryer with a load of laundry, and the balls tumble between the clothes as they dry.

How Do Wool Dryer Balls Work?

Wool dryer balls tumble around with your laundry, helping to separate clothing as it moves through the dryer. Because they’re reusable, you can simply leave them near your dryer and toss them in with each load.

I usually use a few dryer balls at a time, then return them to the laundry room when the load is finished.

Homemade felted wool dryer balls ready to use

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

There are several ways to make wool dryer balls, and I’ve tried each of the methods below. You can use wool yarn, repurpose an old wool sweater, or needle felt wool roving. Each method has its own advantages, so choose whichever works best with the materials you have on hand.

Method 1: Wool Yarn

For me, this is the cheapest, fastest, and easiest way to make felted wool dryer balls. Start with 100% wool yarn, making sure it is feltable wool rather than superwash wool. I can make approximately two dryer balls from a 50 g (110 yd / 101 m) skein.

Choose a light-colored yarn if you’re concerned about color transfer. Begin wrapping the yarn around itself to form a ball about the size of a tennis ball. When the ball reaches the desired size, cut the yarn and thread the end onto a tapestry needle. Weave the tail deeply through the ball several times and in different directions to secure it.

Next, as I describe in my Felting Knitting & Crochet post, felt the balls in the washing machine. I usually add them to a load of towels and wash them in hot water. It may take a couple of wash cycles for the wool to felt together firmly. Once the balls are well felted and holding their shape, they’re ready to use.

Wrapping wool yarn into balls to make wool dryer balls

Wool yarn balls prepared for felting into dryer balls

Method 2: An Old Wool Sweater

An old wool sweater is another inexpensive way to make dryer balls. Check the fiber-content label to make sure the sweater contains wool that will felt. Avoid washable or superwash wool, which is specifically treated to resist felting.

Cut the sweater into pieces and roll each piece tightly into a ball. I can usually make one ball from each sleeve and several more from the body of a sweater.

Place the balls inside the leg of a nylon stocking, tying a knot between each one to keep them separated. Run them through several hot wash cycles with your laundry until the wool felts together and the balls hold their shape firmly.

Cutting an old wool sweater to make wool dryer balls

Rolled wool sweater pieces tied inside a stocking for felting

Method 3: Wool Roving

You can also make dryer balls from wool roving using basic needle-felting supplies, including a foam pad and felting needles.

Begin by shaping the wool roving into a ball, then use your felting needle to repeatedly work the fibers until the ball becomes firm and holds its shape. This method takes more hands-on time than the previous two because you’re shaping and felting the wool with a needle rather than relying primarily on the washing machine.

If you’re new to needle felting, visit my Needle Felting 101 guide for an introduction to the tools and basic techniques.

Scents and Whimsies

One of the fun things about making your own wool dryer balls is that you can decorate them. Use needle felting to add simple designs, shapes, or even the recipient’s initials. A decorated set makes a fun handmade housewarming or shower gift.