Most surprising gifts - MalteseTalk.com Forums

Tebow's Mom · 12-28-2016, 04:58 PM

So what are your most surprising gifts that you are thrilled with? One of the gifts my daughter got me was wool cotton balls for the dryer. I've been working on going green for a while. I don't use dryer sheets anymore because of all the chemicals. I had a couple of plastic dryer balls but they were noisy and somehow they always seemed to get mixed into a basket of clothes that was removed from the dryer and the dogs would find them and use them as toys!! (no idea where they are now - LOL) I'd read about the cotton dryer balls and my daughter had also told me about them. I've been on the look out for them but hadn't found them. So inexpensive present that I'm in love with! I've used them for a couple of loads now and wow how soft the laundry has come out!

Emma's Mama · 12-28-2016, 06:26 PM

I don't put much laundry in the dryer, just towels, sheets, and jeans, but I've used alpaca dryer balls for quite some time. I also put 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in the washer. I haven't used liquid fabric softener in ages and I've never used dryer sheets...I don't miss it at all! It's horrible for people and the environment.

MaxJack'sMom · 12-28-2016, 07:24 PM

I also put the white vinegar in the dispenser.
That sounds like a great gift!

I got a great duffle bag for my travels! Can't wait to use it.

Tebow's Mom · 12-28-2016, 09:41 PM

I quit using fabric softener years and years ago. It clogged up washer lines! So that was the end of that - knew that couldn't be good. After that went to dryer sheets but haven't used them in probably 5 years. I knew some people who used tennis balls in the dryer but I never did that - I knew there had to be chemicals in them.

What is the white vinegar supposed to do?

Emma's Mama · 12-29-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tebow's Mom

What is the white vinegar supposed to do?

During the rinse cycle, it helps to remove any leftover detergent residue on clothes, which is what usually makes them feel like they need a "fabric softener" in the first place.

bphslp · 12-30-2016, 12:24 PM

Are the dryer balls reusable? I saw some in the store but have not used them.

Tebow's Mom · 12-30-2016, 03:31 PM

[QUOTE=bphslp;353730]Are the dryer balls reusable? I saw some in the store but have not used them.[QUOTE]

Yes - over and over and over........

And it's made from US raised sheep. So believe in buying US whenever possible. Too many of our products are outsourced.

Emma's Mama · 12-30-2016, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bphslp

Are the dryer balls reusable? I saw some in the store but have not used them.

I've been using the same three for well over a year now... Mine are alpaca, made in Ohio.

MaxJack'sMom · 12-30-2016, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma's Mama

I've been using the same three for well over a year now... Mine are alpaca, made in Ohio.

Did you have to order them on-line or are they in stores?

Tebow's Mom · 12-31-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxJack'sMom

Did you have to order them on-line or are they in stores?

They are in stores. Organic grocery stores like Whole Foods and Earth Fare carry them. I even think Bed, Bath & Beyond carries them. They don't always have them so you just have to be on the lookout for them.

Emma's Mama · 01-01-2017, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxJack'sMom

Did you have to order them on-line or are they in stores?

I ordered mine from Etsy, but I've also gotten them locally in craft shops. My former boss and his wife actually raise alpacas and she makes dryer balls, too.

JanG · 01-01-2017, 10:02 AM

I had never heard of these until this post and of course, old nosy me had to go find out more about them. Anyway, here is an article on how to make your own:

https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-ma...l-dryer-balls/

We have a couple of alpaca farms very close to us so I need to go see if I can get some wool & try this!

Tebow's Mom · 01-01-2017, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanG

I had never heard of these until this post and of course, old nosy me had to go find out more about them. Anyway, here is an article on how to make your own:

https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-ma...l-dryer-balls/

We have a couple of alpaca farms very close to us so I need to go see if I can get some wool & try this!

Cool, let us know how the balls turn out.

12-28-2016, 04:58 PM	#1
Tebow's Mom Moderator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 4,651	Most surprising gifts So what are your most surprising gifts that you are thrilled with? One of the gifts my daughter got me was wool cotton balls for the dryer. I've been working on going green for a while. I don't use dryer sheets anymore because of all the chemicals. I had a couple of plastic dryer balls but they were noisy and somehow they always seemed to get mixed into a basket of clothes that was removed from the dryer and the dogs would find them and use them as toys!! (no idea where they are now - LOL) I'd read about the cotton dryer balls and my daughter had also told me about them. I've been on the look out for them but hadn't found them. So inexpensive present that I'm in love with! I've used them for a couple of loads now and wow how soft the laundry has come out!

12-28-2016, 07:24 PM	#3
MaxJack'sMom Donating MT 8,000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melrose Park, Ill Posts: 8,267	I also put the white vinegar in the dispenser. That sounds like a great gift! I got a great duffle bag for my travels! Can't wait to use it. __________________ We do not have to wait for Heaven, it is here on Earth and has four legs My life: a marathon, a jog, a walk (now) and the end will be a crawl.

01-01-2017, 10:02 AM	#12
JanG Maltese Authority Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,509	I had never heard of these until this post and of course, old nosy me had to go find out more about them. Anyway, here is an article on how to make your own: https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-ma...l-dryer-balls/ We have a couple of alpaca farms very close to us so I need to go see if I can get some wool & try this! __________________ Jan

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12-28-2016, 06:26 PM	#2
Emma's Mama Maltese Authority Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2,235	I don't put much laundry in the dryer, just towels, sheets, and jeans, but I've used alpaca dryer balls for quite some time. I also put 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in the washer. I haven't used liquid fabric softener in ages and I've never used dryer sheets...I don't miss it at all! It's horrible for people and the environment.

12-28-2016, 09:41 PM	#4
Tebow's Mom Moderator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 4,651	I quit using fabric softener years and years ago. It clogged up washer lines! So that was the end of that - knew that couldn't be good. After that went to dryer sheets but haven't used them in probably 5 years. I knew some people who used tennis balls in the dryer but I never did that - I knew there had to be chemicals in them. What is the white vinegar supposed to do?

12-30-2016, 12:24 PM	#6
bphslp Donating MT 3,000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Cooper, Texas Posts: 3,233	Are the dryer balls reusable? I saw some in the store but have not used them.

12-30-2016, 03:31 PM	#7
Tebow's Mom Moderator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 4,651	[QUOTE=bphslp;353730]Are the dryer balls reusable? I saw some in the store but have not used them.[QUOTE] Yes - over and over and over........ And it's made from US raised sheep. So believe in buying US whenever possible. Too many of our products are outsourced.