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After two and a half months making our own laundry detergent and loving the results, I’m moving full-steam ahead to find frugal substitutes for the other products we use in the laundry room. While I wouldn’t say we spend an exorbitant amount on dryer sheets, if I were to suddenly be left without the need to have them, I wouldn’t miss finding the used ones lying on the laundry room floor or sticking to the inside of a pant leg or the back of someone’s shirt. I wouldn’t miss having to remind people to toss them in with each load, so we don’t shock and awe the congregation with the amazing static electricity display erupting from our family’s row at church on Sundays. I would definitely get excited about putting the cost of them back into our budget, because even small amounts add up over time. Believe me, I’ve scoured Pinterest and come up with dozens of options for all kinds of homemade cleaners, I intend to try, but nothing that appealed to me as a better option than the dryer sheets I’m currently buying – for performance or cost.
Feeling the need for a little “pick me up” and a break before I plunged back into my research, I grabbed a chocolate peanut butter chip cookie and a Coke (I know. I know. — But, they were delish!) and checked my Facebook feed. I noticed one of my sister’s posts mentioned that she had just entered a giveaway for Dryer Balls. I had never heard of such a thing, but my interest was piqued. I gathered from her short post that they were made from wool, used in the clothes dryer instead of fabric sheets and handmade by someone who was selling them through her own Etsy shop. I found the site and started reading about Maple Hill Farm and Rebecca Rowan. Rebecca’s dad raises sheep and she makes dryer balls from the wool he produces there.
Rebecca’s Wool Dryer Balls are made from 100% wool and are colored naturally, not with dyes. They decrease static cling and soften the clothes in your dryer as they tumble with your laundry, by gentle friction of the felted wool fibers against your clothing fibers. Dryer balls separate the clothes, as they circulate through your dryer, and keep laundry items separated as they tumble around. This increases airflow and allows warm dry air to reach even the clothes at the center of your dryer tub. This drastically cuts the amount of time it takes to dry a load of clothes. I can attest to the truth of that! We have been nursing my poor dryer along for the last several months, while we save to purchase a new one. It takes at least two complete cycles to dry a normal load of laundry, now, as it limps through the end of its life. However, I purchased 4 extra large Wool Dryer Balls which arrived here on January 17. Since that time, we have been able to dry our clothes in a single cycle, again! I am so excited for what that means about the gas and electricity we will save when we actually get a new and properly functioning dryer, again! The dryer balls made a dramatic difference in each load’s drying time and I won’t need to buy dryer sheets, again.
Maple Hill Farms Wool Dryer Balls are completely reusable — no waste, no trash. I just leave them in the dryer as I pull out each load, so they are there and ready for the next cycle. People have apparently used them up to 8 years before they needed replaced! Amazing! They come scented or unscented, whichever you prefer. I elected to have mine scented with lavender essential oils before they were shipped and opening the package when they arrived was like being in the center of a field of lavender. I love it! I’ve used them in every dryer load since they have arrived and the scent is not even hinting at fading, though I understand that it will eventually fade over time and can be reapplied, if desired. Our clothes absorb the fragrance, and hold it, better than any commercial fabric softener or dryer sheet I have ever used. No chemicals, no mess, no repurchasing and my laundry room and clothes smell amazing – I’m a happy camper!
All four extra large wool dryer balls ready to go to work on a new load! The extra large size I purchased are just slightly smaller than a softball.
I like that this product is handmade and all natural. I like that it’s a family business and I love that the product is 100% everything that it claims. I intend to continue using them and reap the energy savings, over time, plus eliminate the cost and waste of the dryer sheets that were the norm in my laundry, up to now. Wouldn’t these be a unique and welcome bridal shower gift or a gift for someone who “has everything”? I wholeheartedly recommend them. As a matter of fact, I was so excited about them that I contacted Rebecca, who has agreed to sponsor a giveaway AND a 10% discount for Busy-at-Home readers! Enter Coupon code: Busy2012 in your shopping cart at checkout to receive the discount, when you place an order. I’m so grateful for her generosity and excited for all of you to know about this money-saving and eco-friendly product!
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below, telling me which fragrance (or unscented, if that’s your preference), you want to try. [Click Here to visit the page with a List of Available Fragrances, in a new window.] Once you leave your comment, go to the form below, hit that Do It! button, then Enter! and you’ll unlock several more options for additional entries. It’s super simple and what a great prize for one of you!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I purchased Maple Hill Farms Wool Dryer balls for my own use and tested them in my own home, in order to write this review. No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required. The views and opinions expressed are wholly my own and based on my personal experience with the product.
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I would choose Country Clothesline!
lavendar
I would choose Country Clothesline! I really want to try these!
These sound so great! Love the decrease in drying time…I frequently have to run my dryer 2-3 times to get everything dry.
Oops…forgot my scent. I’d go with Clean Cotton.
The China Rain sounds fabulous. I’ve seen these and have wondered if/how they work. Now I really want to try them!
oh probably Country Clothsline, Lavendar or unscented
OMG Lavendar Mint! I think when I get my sheep this Spring I know what to do with their wool! I would love to make these myself. I may purchase some to get an idea
So cool!
I’d like to try clean cotton!
I would choose the French Vanilla! Thank you for the giveaway!
I would choose two lavender
I bought my 6 wool dryer balls from another mom over 6 years ago and we LOVE them! The same ones are in my dryer and will work for many many more years. They do NOT unravel like the raveled up ones out there do, after only a few months use- so be careful that you purchase them from someone who makes them high quality!
I agree, Malissa. Quality is a huge deal. These are beautifully solid and well-made. I’m so pleased with them!
Malinda,
Yes I agree as well! Ours are made of roving and will continue to felt and get tighter as the years go one. No chance of them unraveling especially with my Dad’s Romney wool that LOVES to felt!:)
I would love the Relaxing Scent!
I would like the Lavender Vanilla Dream
I love it! I put a link to your blog post on my blogger blog! If I win, I want to try the Easter Scent!
Thanks, so much, Victoria!
Wow, Lemon Poundcake????!!! YES please!
I prefer the unscented. These look great!
I would pick Lavender Vanilla Dream
Unscented.
Oh my gosh, there are so many fragrances to chose from! I think I would go with Country Clothesline or Clean Linen…or maybe the Lavender Mint! I love the name Monkey Toots, that is so cute! Thanks Glenda for the giveaway!
Clean Cotton sounds mighty nice.
lemon pound cake! yum!!
annae07 at aol dot com
I would choose unscented dryer balls.
I would prefer unscented. I currently use my own invention of an old sock stuffed with yarn balls, but I find that whenever I do sheets or towels, I get a fair bit of static cling. I would be very interested in trying out these wool dryer balls!
I would choose Country Clothsline
I like the Lavender scent.
lavendar mint please
Lavender
these look so handy and eco friendly! lOVE IT!
Would love one of the Lavender Blends, just not sure which one yet. Thanx for the chance to enter.
I would LOVE to win those! My plastic dryer balls just broke, and these are so much better – natural and they don’t make that noise!
I only use soap nuts now for laundry and absolutely love it. So having these would round out my green laundry approach.
dagmar at dagmar bleasdale dot com
I would like the ones without scent.
I love dryer balls and the idea of having them scented. I would love peppermint scented ones.
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
I would prefer the unscented. Thank you for the giveaway.
the autumn one sounds fabulous and with my family of 5 I have been looking for a great alternative to dryer sheets!!!!!
I just started using dryer balls and love them! I would love to add a few more to my collection as I only have 4 right now. Would love to have 6-8 to speed up drying time!
relaxing
the relaxing looks nice!
I’d go with the scented type. I often leave a load of wet clothes in the washer so a scented dryer ball would help.
[...] Link : http://busy-at-home.com/blog/?p=11116 This entry was posted in Blog Giveaways and tagged 2/11/12, Blog Giveaway, Home and Garden, [...]
frosted peak tops
I would pick Lavender
I always have loved lavender in my dryer..I would love to gives these a try.
-Lavender Vanilla Dream
I wold love the Easter Bunny scent! I wish these had been around (or I’d known about them) when I was drying all of those cloth diapers when my kids were little!
I might like China Rain
I would choose Relaxing
I would go with lavender vanilla dream, because it says that is their most popular scent
I’d choose Clean Cotton.
I’d get the Unscented ones.
Lemon pound cake sounds like a great scent!
I’d try Easter Bunny,
I’d choose Lavendar vanilla dream.
Unscented for me!
These dryer balls look awesome! I would totally go for the lavendar essential oil scent
i think the clean cotton sounds wonderful
I would pick clean cotton
Frosted Peak Tops…or unsecnted
I would choose Lavender Vanilla Dream!
I would want unscented.
Definately the clean cotton, but all of the scents sound wonderful. Thanks so much for the contest and the wonderful blog. I stumbled across it and love the article about making your own detergent! I cannot wiat to try my hand at it now.
I would choose the unscented.
Fave scent: Lavender essential oil
I would pick Relaxing!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to try the unscented
I would choose
Lavendar Mint!
fantastic giveaway!
Lavender Vanilla Dream
I would be in heaven if I could find something that would help with the static problem we have without any scent. I get terrible headaches when I am around almost any fragrance. On top of that, I have extremely sensitive skin, so buying products that meet my needs doesn’t happen often.
If I should win this I would choose the unscented. Thank you for sharing this product with us!
Unscented!
I think I’d love the Autumn Magic!
I would go with the unscented. Thanks.
Unscented is preferred. Thank you for hosting.
tes 1283 yahoo
I would love to try the Clean Cotton scent.
I would choose the unscented dryer balls – I’m happy they have that option!
I would choose Torrential Rain
I’d pick unscented
I would choose lavender!
I reviewed Rebecca’s wool dryer balls on my website and fell in love with them!! They are super fantastic. I love the unscented ones, keeping it simple.
Melanie
clean cotton sounds good
Lavender mint
Unscented
I’d choose the lavender vanilla dream!
Monkey Toots!! I have three kids. they would love this.
I’d pick New Born Baby
crochet4hats[at]gmail[dot]com
I would choose lavender
These wool dryer balls are amazing! I could definitely use them for the static cling fix-up, and for quicker drying times. They look fantastic, and I love sheep anyways… so having a ball of sheep’s wool bouncing around in my dryer… ooh! It would be WAY to cool to win these!
Oh, I totally forgot to mention what scent I would like. Actually, I think I may want some unscented balls…. but…. the Lavender Vanilla Dream is very tempting.
Thank you for the chance to win!!
Clean Cotton sounds nice.
I would chose the Relaxing scent! Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
Torrential Rains or Easter Bunny…some GREAT scents to choose from!
I’d like to try China Rain.
Lavendar Vanilla Dream
I am partial to unscented
i go with easter bunny
I’d get the China Rain scent. Thanks for the giveaway!
Mmmm…lavender sounds wonderful! What a great idea!
Would love to try these. Right now I use SG dryer sheets.
Mmm lemon pouncakee
)))
Sounds fabulous! Sooo many wonderful choices, I think Relaxing
sounds nice!
toss up between lavender and vanilla.. these seem awesome
I am very pleased to have found this blog. I am amazed at how easy it is to go natural. The China Rain sounds delightful. Thanks for the contest
RELAXING
I would choose the Pear & Redwood Scent and Ocean Breeze Scent!
Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make a Bow
learnquilling@gmail.com
The lavender vanilla dream sounds great.
Since it is their most popular Lavender Vanilla Dream.
[...] Enter this giveaway here: http://busy-at-home.com/blog/?p=11116 [...]
I’ve never heard of these – interesting. Country Clothesline sounds sweet
I would love the Lavender Vanilla Dream. Thanks for the offer – I also make my own laundry detergent.
These look wonderful! Hope I win! I would choose “-Country Clothsline (Smells identical to Downy’s original fragrance. The aroma of fresh powder, light musk, and just a hint of fresh spring flowers of daffodils and tulips)”
Thanks again for the opportunity!
Debbie Barker
debbiebarker41@hotmail.com
I think their french vanilla, monkey toots & torrential rain all sound great!
Kindra
skbaron04@hotmail.com
I’d like to try China Rain. Or French Vanilla.
Lavendar not only smells great – it’s a natural antiseptic as well – win win deal!!!
I would love the new born baby scent because I just had a baby and I know that perfect smell won’t last forever! Monkey Toots also sounds pretty yummy!
I would love to try the China Rain scent. I just started using dryer balls and only have 2 small ones. I did notice a difference in the time my cloth diapers took to dry the first time I put them in. Amazing! Thanks for the opportunity!
I want the ‘clean cotton’ scent if I win. Thanks for the giveaway!
China Rain – my son is from China
[...] Maple Hill Farms Wool Dryer Balls: Our Review and Give Away!!! [...]
I would try the New Born Baby
i would choose french vanilla. thanks for the giveaway!
Lavender vanilla
lavender or lavender mint-soothing
Nice scents! I would choose the Clean Cotton or the China Rain, I think.
clean cotton
I’d choose the China Rain scent.
I would choose the Lavender Vanilla Dream scent. Thank you for this giveaway.
Lavender Mint!
Torrential Rains!
A few sound really good, but I would go with lavendar vanilla!
Lavender scent.
Either China Rain or French Vanilla
hard to pick between Clean Cotton and Country Clothesline…but with a new grandbaby coming, the baby scent would be a good one. Thanks for the info!
I would pick the Lavender Vanilla Dream!
Lavender Vanilla Dream!
thanks for the giveaway!
I would probably pick unscented.
lavender vanilla dream
Ooh, lemon pound cake!
torrential rains
lemon pound cake
I would choose the Lilac!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I would love to try country clothesline.
Hubby says unscented or Country Clothsline, but I’m leaning towards New Born Baby
Clean Cotton
I’d like Lavendar.
Lavender.
I’d choose Lavender Vanilla Dream
Lavendar mint
Lemon Pound Cake
Autumn Magic. That sounds perfectly wonderfu.
unscented and country clothesline!
Probably Country Clothesline or Relaxing.
lavender please!
Probably Clean Cotton.
I’d love French Market!!
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
China Rain or Clean Cotton. Either one .
I would choose china rain. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would choose Lemon Pound Cake.
Easter Bunny scent for me.
I would like the Relaxing scent.
Clean cotton!
Lavender Vanilla Dream
Lemon Pound Cake!
Unscented or country clothesline.
I would choose either Lavendar vanilla cream, or Country clothsline, or clean cotton…. Oh man I can’t choose!
I would love to try the lavendar vanilla dream
Lavender mint sounds good 2 me!
I love these balls. They would be great with cloth diapers
I’d choose Frosted Peak Tops.
I think I would love the lemon pound cake
unscented
I think the Clean Cotton sounds delightful
Lavender, please!
Lavender Vanilla Dream
vmkids3 at msn dot com
unscented would work the best for our house—thanks
I would choose Lavender Vanilla Dream!
lemon pound cake
I would choose the scent, Lavender Vanilla Dream
i like french vanilla
country clothesline!
i’d probably choose newborn baby scent
I would choose the lavender fragrance
lavender vanilla dream
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
Unscented
Clean Cotton!
I would probably like the clean cotton scent.
fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski
twitter,gfc,stumble/ daveshir2005
google +/ shirley pebbles
id choose the lavender vanilla dream
I would choose Country Clothesline and New Born Baby
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
-Lavender and Lilac would be my top choices
wallindeb@yahoo.com
Monkey Toots
I’d choose French Market!
I would choose unscented
Autumn Magic! But I must say, woah! There’s a bunch of scents!
I would choose unscented. These would be great since hubby has gotten so he complains about the scent of our fabric softener!
Lavender Mint
Thanks for the contest.
Relaxing sounds nice!
Clean Cotton or Country Clothesline…the names remind me of how our bedsheets smelled after drying on the clothesline when I was a kid….ahhh….
Thanks for the chance to win! french vanilla is my pick so my hubby doesn’t walk out smelling like flowers
mmmm! 
Lemon Pound Cake
Too many wonderful scents to choose from but would have to go with Country Clothesline.