Dry the safe and natural way. A Burger's Wool Dryer Balls Review & Giveaway

I was strolling through Root's Market in Lancaster County in July when a certain booth caught my interest. There was a couple there marketing their wool dryer balls, so I stopped to chat with them. As we talked, I told them about other wool dryer balls I've tried and reviewed for my blog. This caught their interest and by the time I walked away, I was the happy recipient of a set of six premium wool dryer balls to review.

Now, keep in mind that I rarely dry things in the dryer, especially during the summer. However, my husband does use the dryer, so my opinions here are mostly his. And my daughter, Jessica's, who had to "borrow" my washer and dryer last week to wash diapers. While she hangs many of her diapers on the line, she does like to toss her pre-folds in the dryer because they get too stiff on the line. Both my husband and my daughter told me that the laundry dries considerably faster with the Burger's dryer balls than it does using the six other wool dryer balls we'd been using previously. 

While I was at Root's, the Burgers explained to me why their dryer balls were superior to the popular other wool dryer balls I was using. I must say that the Burger's dryer balls had a different feel to them. They come in two sizes -- regular, which are 9.5"-10" in diameter, and premium, which are 11"-12". Both are made from the wool of brown sheep and contain no dyes.

Using the wool from a supplier in Lancaster County, Burger's Wool Dryer Balls are handmade by the couple, who live in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The dryer balls are 100% sheep's wool. After several months of experimenting with various methods to make them, they eventually settled on a process to create what they believe is the best wool dryer balls out there. After trying several different kinds myself, I just might have to agree.

The husband and wife team started selling the product in June 2013 at farmers markets to see if there would be enough of an interest in their product. Fortunately, they found there was. They are available for purchase on their website, as well as in their first retail location at the gift shop at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, PA.

Why do I love wool dryer balls? Because they are the most eco-friendly way of fluffing and softening your laundry while reducing static and cutting down on drying time when you use a clothes dryer. No one should ever, and I stress ever, use fabric softener. By adding one-half cup distilled white vinegar to your wash and using dryer balls in your dryer, you will eliminate some of the most volatile toxins in your home. Click here to read more about the dangers of fabric softeners.

If you truly desire scented laundry and it's one of the reasons you can't part with your dryer sheets, Burger's Wool Dryer Balls can be scented by adding a few drops of essential oil.

For families on a budget, dryer balls just make sense. Period. Rather than throwing money away on disposable dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener, you can buy a set of dryer balls and enjoy years of soft laundry. 

A set of dryer balls would be perfect as a bridal shower gift or a holiday gift for a family trying to make ends meet. The sets range in price from $35-$55. Plus, you'll feel good about your purchase knowing you are supporting a couple who is just getting started with a business of their own.

So, how would you like a chance to win a set of six premium wool dryer balls from the Burgers? Yeah, I thought you'd like that idea. Just enter below on the Rafflecopter.

Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. However, I did receive products to review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. The opinions expressed are honest opinions which were not influenced by the company sponsoring the review and giveaway.

Woolzies Dryer Balls Review and Giveaway!

As someone who turned her back on fabric softener a few years back, I’m always looking for effective and safe alternatives. Of course, adding distilled white vinegar to my wash has been one of my favorite eco-friendly changes. It’s easy. It’s cheap. And it works! 

If you’ve been following the blog, or at least the GG FB page, for long, you know I’m a huge fan of line drying. But let’s be practical. It’s the dead of winter, and line drying in the basement is just not the same as out in the sunshine. So, while I still hang my lingerie, tights and leggings on the line, I toss my sweaters, jeans, socks, etc. into the dryer.

That is why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Woolzies Dryer Balls! My daughter, Bethany, bought me 2 wool dryer balls a couple of years ago. I used them, but didn’t find any significant difference in drying time, static control or softness. However, the Woolzies Dryer Balls don’t come in 2-packs. No. These babies come in 6-packs and, let me tell you, they work!

   

    I’ve cut back my drying time by about 20% or so. The laundry is soft. And… as long as I don’t over dry the laundry, there is little-to-no static cling. Awesome.  
  

    In addition to the effectiveness of the Woolzies Dryer Balls, there are other things I simply love about them. Woolzies are 

• Handmade from pure New Zealand wool 
• Chemical-free 
• Hypo-allergenic, which means they’re even safe for people who are allergic to wool 
• PVC-free (unlike most of the plastic dryer balls) 
• Cost effective 
• Handmade by women in the democratic republic of Nepal, thus providing a steady source of income for these needy families

 

I am confident that my use of Woolzies Dryer Balls is good for the earth, good for my family, good for other families, good for the future, good for my dryer (unlike fabric softener sheets!), and good for future generations. I mean, seriously, what’s not to love about them?

The wool balls are soft and well made, unlike some other brands that unravel with time. And they are quiet. They gently bounce around the dryer, separating the wet laundry so it dries faster, with less wrinkles and, like I said, little-to-no static. Plus, they are guaranteed for over 1,000 loads! Based on the amount of laundry my husband and I dry in the dryer, they quite simply might outlive me! These are winners, folks, and I am happy to give them 2 green thumbs up!

I wholeheartedly recommend that you head over to their website right now and purchase a box. While they may seem costly, at $34.95, the reduced drying time will make up for this cost in no time! It will be like getting paid to buy them! And if you are someone who still uses liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets (shame on you!), there will be even more of a savings for you because you will no longer be adding fabric softener to your cart at the grocery store.

Or… if you’d like to wait, you can enter to win a box of Woolzies Dryer Balls, as the kind folks at Soft By Nature, Inc. have offered to send a set to a lucky reader of this review. Just enter below in the Rafflecopter and I’ll announce a winner on Valentine’s Day. Now won’t that be sweet?

The giveaway runs from 2/6 through 2/13. Must be 18 or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: I was given a free set of Woolzies Dryer Balls to test. I was not otherwise compensated for this post and the above review contains only my honest unbiased opinions of the product. I am not compensated in any way if you choose to purchase this product.

The best kinds of gifts

Snowflake ornament by Jessica Taylor

It was so much fun opening presents this year...especially when I found products from companies I promote here on the blog, like Crimson & Clean Soap. On Monday night, I slipped into a tub of hot water infused naturally with Soothing Bath Salts, scrubbed off dead skin with Soothing Sugar Scrub and lathered up with Goats Milk Body Soap. Divine.

On Tuesday morning I threw a load of laundry into the dryer with my brand new 100%wool dryer balls from Buddha Bunz.




Magnets by Jessica Taylor



Then I reorganized my magnetic bulletin board with the new magnets my daughter, Jessica, made for me. Her creativity and talent was amazing this Christmas and I'm convinced she could get a business going for herself if she wanted to. She crafted handmade snowflakes from card stock, a necklace from an old washer, and she transformed vases into sweater-wrapped containers that cast a warm glow when you light the hand-poured candles inside them. I love the fact that the sweaters came from Goodwill!

Vase candles by Jessica Taylor

Oh, I got some other great gifts for Christmas as well, like the water cooler for my office so I can have hot and cold spring water at my disposal. What a thoughtful husband I have!

But it was the green gifts and homemade gifts that touched me the most. Next year, when you start your shopping, why not consider making some gifts or buying gifts that will help your loved ones live greener lives?

Necklace by Jessica Taylor

While others were dreaming of a white Christmas, I was dreaming of a green one...and, for the most part, I got it!

Keeping it green,

Hana