How To Stop Sheets From Balling Up In Your Dryer
When you pull your sheets from the dryer and they’re wrapped in a tight bundle, still damp in the middle of course, it can feel like a waste of time and energy. The good news is there are ways to stop that from happening. With the right items and a few small changes to your laundry routine, you can stop sheets from balling up whenever you try to clean them.
Use Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are the go-to solution for this particular issue, as they separate the layers of fabric as they tumble. For a regular load of laundry the recommendation is usually to use three wool balls, but for sheets you can use up to six. The balls bounce around, breaking up folds and helping air circulate better. Not only does this speed up drying, but it also softens the fabric naturally.
Dry Sheets Separately From Other Items
Outside of wool balls, there are other methods that will help with sheet tangling. For example, mixing sheets with smaller laundry like shirts or towels can actually make the balling worse, as sheets tend to wrap around smaller items, trapping them inside and twisting themselves into a bundle. It’s better to dry sheets on their own or only with other large flat items. This helps the fabric stay spread out as it tumbles, reducing the chance of it clumping up.
Loosely Shake Out Sheets Before Drying
Right after washing, give your sheets a good shake before tossing them in the dryer. This helps untangle them and keeps them from going in already bunched up. A quick shake opens up the fabric and spreads it out, giving it a better start.
Pause The Cycle And Re-Toss Midway
Halfway through the cycle, if you can, stop the dryer and untangle the sheets. Open them up, give them a toss, spread them back out in the drum, then restart the machine. This helps break up any clumps that started forming and gives the second half of the cycle a fresh chance at drying everything evenly.
Avoid Overloading The Dryer
A dryer that’s too full doesn’t leave space for air or movement. Sheets need room to tumble and unfold. If they’re packed in tightly with other items or too many sets, they’ll likely twist into a ball. Try drying fewer sheets at a time, especially with heavier fabrics. It may mean doing an extra load, but it’s better than having to run the dryer twice for the same result.
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Balling sheets can be frustrating, especially when it means running the dryer longer or dealing with still-damp corners. Wool dryer balls, smaller loads, and a little hands-on effort can go a long way in fixing the problem, and if you keep that in mind, your sheets will come out much, much dryer.
Daniel Mitchell
