How to Get Rid of Static Cling with a Tennis Ball!

How to get rid of static cling using a tennis ball and other tennis ball hacks.

If you are a tennis fan, you know we are in the midst of the US Open right now. But you don’t have to know who Federer and Nadal are to have some fun with tennis balls! I have a super easy and super useful craft project for you today. Did you know you can make homemade dryer balls out of old tennis balls?

You can add tennis balls to any load in your dryer to help reduce drying time. It’s a great way to cut down on drying time and conserve energy. But I’m going to take it one step further for you. Today I have 2 simple tennis ball hacks to make those tennis balls in the dryer pull double duty!

.: Tennis Ball Hack #1

We are coming up on winter and you know that means dry air everywhere. With that dry air comes dry skin, sore noses and static cling. That static cling makes laundry day so hard. I know we all hate pulling apart tshirts and socks when we do laundry. Did you know you can solve this problem with anti-static dryer balls!?

Anti-static dryer balls are positively the easiest thing ever. You need two things: tennis balls and aluminum foil. Just wrap the tennis ball in a layer of foil. You want enough to cover the ball completely – but not too much because excess will cause lumps. Then repeat until you have two or 3 layers. Be sure to pack it tightly so it’s as smooth as possible for best results. Once they take a tumble in the dryer, the foil will conform to the ball so it will be smooth and tightly packed.

When you are ready to dry yours clothes, toss 3 balls into the dryer with your clothes. You’ll be shocked at how well it works! Goodbye static cling!

.: Tennis Ball Hack #2

The downside to anti-static dryer balls is that they are unscented. I had the toughest time giving up dryer sheet because I loved the way they made my clothes smell. I also like that my towels and things held their scent for a while after the laundry was complete. However, I’ve discovered I can replicate this without having to constantly buy dryer sheets.

I just grab an old tennis ball and put it inside an old sock. This makes them look fun and also gives you a slightly more absorbent surface for the next ingredient: Essential oils. Grab your favorite essential oils and add 3-5 drops to each ball. If I’m doing towels or something that sits in the cabinet for a while, I usually use a little more essential oil so they will hold the scent longer. I like to use lavender oil but you other popular dryer ball scents are Spearmint + Eucalyptus, Lavender + Rose and Peppermint + Orange. The possibilities are endless though.

When you are ready to dry a load of clothes, toss 3 or 4 balls into the dryer with your clothes. The balls not only scent your things but also reduce drying time by breaking the clothes apart and absorbing some of the moisture.

One thing I will note is that you shouldn’t do either of these hacks with brand new tennis balls. I used new balls in my pictures so it would look prettier but new balls have that weird tennis ball can smell and you definitely don’t want all your clothes to smell like that. So if you are trying either of these tennis ball dryer balls, make sure you use old balls or let your brand new ones air out for a week or two before using them.

Love doing laundry!? Don’t miss my Budget Laundry Room Makeover! And be sure to Follow Simply Shellie on Facebook and Pinterest for more simple ideas!