Why Put Tennis Balls In The Dryer? (& 3 Alternatives)

You might have heard the tale of tennis balls in a drying machine. At first, this sounds odd as tennis balls are used in tennis, and inside a dryer, you will usually find only clothes and another laundry. Putting pieces together, it seems that it’s some kind of a cleaning hack, but to what end?

Placing a few tennis balls on the dryer when doing laundry will create fluffier and less wrinkly laundry. In addition, the electrostatic charge that most commonly comes from drying laundry is greatly reduced. Finally, tennis balls in the dryer will speed up the drying process.

As it turns out, there are many incredible benefits of putting a couple of tennis balls songs your laundry when drying them up. Now, let’s learn more about each benefit to truly understand whether you should actually use this tip or not.

Increased Fluffiness

One of my personal favorite things in life is to come home after a long day, hit the shower, and go to sleep on a clean, fluffy sheet. There are not many things that can top that, and I suspect you love fluffy sheets as well.

That being said, a couple of tennis balls thrown in the dryer when you are drying your bed sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases will create a fluffier outcome. And with that, your quality of sleep is more pleasant for the nights to come!

Quicker Drying Time

Speaking of laundry hacks, there are a few different categories of benefits! One benefit can be the improved quality, such as fluffiness and wrinkles, but the other one is speed! No one loves to do laundry, and the less time it takes, the better. Well, put two to three tennis balls in the dryer, and the laundry will be dry in no time.

Less Static

As a kid, I remember when I rubbed a balloon on my head so it would stick to a wall. That was fun and caused by an electrostatic charge. However, it isn’t so fun with clothes as it will stick to you, create small electric charges on your body, and it’s just annoying, okay.

The biggest cause of electrostatic charge for clothes is the drying process, as it will load when the fabrics rub against each other. How to solve the issue? Place a few tennis balls on the dryer and voilà, no more, or a drastically reduced amount of electric charge on your clothes!

Fewer Wrinkles

Last but not least, wrinkles. Wrinkles, wrinkles, wrinkles, everyone hates them as they will make the finest piece of clothing look worn and outdated. What’s more annoying is ironing as it will often be left to the last minute and then you won’t have any more time.

Luckily, there is a smart hack to overcome this, as you might suspect, and it’s tennis balls! Toss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer, and you will instantly see fewer wrinkles when compared to the last batch of dried clothes.

These four benefits are considerable, especially when talking about such small and cheap acts as tossing in a couple of tennis balls. Piece of cake!

Are Tennis Balls Safe In the Dryer?

A few tennis balls inside a dryer with the laundry have various benefits on the clothes themselves, but is it safe, given that tennis balls are made from rubber and felt. Tennis balls don’t belong inside a dryer, so is it safe to do so?

Tennis balls are safe when placed on the dryer. A tennis ball’s felt, and rubber construction isn’t risky when placed on a dryer; thus, there are only benefits such as increased fluffiness, faster dry speed, fewer wrinkles, and less electrostatic charge.

Placing tennis balls inside the dryer is as old as a trick as dryers or tennis, whichever came first. That being said, I have never heard of any accident or anyone that has heard anything such as it.

Therefore, using tennis balls in a dryer isn’t only safe, but it’s also encouraged.

What to Use Instead of Tennis Balls In The Dryer?

Placing tennis balls inside a dryer is a universally accepted laundry hack, and it’s quite popular. However, tennis balls aren’t meant to be inside a dryer but on the tennis court to be smacked over and over again. That being said, there must be alternatives to tennis balls in the dryer; what are they?

The best alternative for tennis balls in the dryer is wool dryer balls. Wool dryer balls look like tennis balls, but they are white and made out of wool, and they are meant to be used inside a dryer. Other alternatives include a clean sneaker or socks tied up as tight balls.

Personally, I highly recommend the wool dryer balls as they are the best option and are meant for the purpose. Anyways, let’s learn more about all of the alternatives as they vary in features.

1. Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are made solely to dry laundry because of the tennis ball hack. These balls are usually 100% wool that is rolled very tightly to last longer and withstand the drying process.

They are very cheap, even cheaper than regular tennis balls, and better alternatives to tennis balls because they are softer but will produce the same effect without any notice. If you’re looking for tennis ball alternatives for a dryer, wool dryer balls are the best choice.

2. Sneaker

A clean sneaker that you don’t need is also a great alternative for tennis balls, even though not as effective, but still effective enough to see a noticeable difference.

A sneaker is heavy and will make the laundry move, producing the same outcome as tennis balls. So, if you have a sneaker or two lying around, take them to a test spin!

3. Sock Balls

Another great alternative to tennis balls inside a dryer is sock balls. Take 2 to 5 socks and tie them to balls very tightly. This will make the socs dense and hard, making the same outcome as tennis balls. Yet, not as effective but still.

I recommend using older socks and not the best pairs as tying them up will stretch them, which will make them quite unusable, or at least too big and sloppy.

All things considered, getting the benefits that tennis balls have inside a dryer, regardless of which option you choose, is extremely cheap, easy, and beneficial. That’s a win-win-win situation which is quite rare.

How To Fluff a Puffer Jacket Without Tennis Balls?

Puffer jackets are great and valued because they are warm but not that heavy. This is quite unusual as it’s usually either-or. On the consider, puffer jackets will lose their fluffiness eventually, so what can you use to regain that fluffiness if you don’t have tennis balls?

For fluffing a puffer jacket, alternatives to tennis balls include wool balls, tied-up t-shirts, sock balls, and even a golf ball placed inside a plastic container. These items will work like tennis balls and recreate the lost fluffiness on a puffer jacket.

Tennis balls can be replaced quite easily when looking for alternatives for a dryer. However, what if you don’t have a dryer, nor can’t you find one to use? There is a way to fluff the jacket without a dryer.

It is heavy and full of water after you take the puffer jackets from the laundry without drying them. Remove as much water as you can by pushing the jacket together, not squeezing and turning.

Next, find a hanger and hang it somewhere the jacket can get good airflows, such as balcony, patio, or backyard.

Now, let it hang there for 30 minutes and give it a good fluff. Do this by massaging the jacket’s fibers, shaking it, and waving it in the air. Then, place it on the hanger again and repeat this every 30 minutes until it’s nearly dry.

This takes quite a few fluffs, but you can do it on your free day, and it will fit naturally on your home day. Afterward, you will have a fluffed-up puffer jacket, and it has been worth it!