How do i use wool dryer balls for softer clothes and less static?

[RobertR]

I’m trying to switch to a more sustainable laundry routine and bought some wool dryer balls, but I’m not sure I’m using them right. They seem to tumble around without really softening the clothes or cutting down on static, and my towels still come out stiff. Has anyone else had this experience and figured out the trick?

[Avery84]

I bought wool dryer balls too and yeah, they just bounced around and the towels came out stiff. I tried about six balls, loaded to what felt like a normal size, and ran a regular cycle. Static was a hair better on some loads, but nothing dramatic.

[Dennis.L]

For me they helped a bit with fluffing cotton tees and jeans, but towels stayed stiff. I ended up using more balls on lighter loads and still had to shake towels out before folding.

[Nathan_J]

Maybe the problem isn’t the balls at all. Could be the towels or the heat setting. Do you think the real issue is the heat or the detergent?

[AdamVH]

I drifted into thinking about it on the way to the laundry and then forgot to adjust the load, which made me wonder if the schedule mattered more than the gear.