The amazing Dryer Balls?
Dryer balls may reduce drying time modestly – in the region of 10% rather than the 25% claimed by manufacturers. The softening claims are questionable: tumble drying itself softens laundry, so separating the dryer ball effect from normal tumble drying is difficult. They are noisy in use. Independent testing by Which? found them underwhelming. They are not harmful to use but the claimed benefits may be overstated.
What Dryer Balls Claim to Do
Plastic dryer balls with textured or knobbly surfaces are marketed with several claims:
- Reduce tumble dryer running costs by up to 25% by shortening drying time
- Soften fabrics by physically breaking down stiffness created by water drying in fibres
- Reduce creases, wrinkles, and lint
- Remove the need for fabric softener or dryer sheets
What Testing Shows
What appears to be real
- Some reduction in drying time is plausible. The balls create space between items in the drum and improve air circulation. A modest time saving – likely 5 to 15% rather than 25% – is achievable in some loads
- Preventing laundry from clumping in the drum is a genuine benefit for bulky items such as duvets and towels
What is questionable
- The 25% drying time claim is not supported by independent testing. Which? tested dryer balls and found performance underwhelming (a subscription is required for full results)
- The softening claim is difficult to verify independently because tumble drying itself softens laundry – the mechanical action of items tumbling in warm air is what creates softness. Separating any additional dryer ball effect from normal tumble drying is not straightforward
- The claim that dryer balls replace fabric softener is weak for the same reason – fabric softener use is already largely unnecessary when tumble drying. See our guide on saving on fabric softener when tumble drying
One consistent and well-documented characteristic of plastic dryer balls is the noise they produce. Hard plastic balls bouncing around a metal drum create a significant racket – louder than a standard tumble dryer load. The noise reduces slightly as the balls warm up during the cycle but remains noticeable throughout. If the tumble dryer is in a kitchen or near a living area, this may make them impractical to use.
Wool Dryer Balls – A Quieter Alternative
Wool dryer balls are increasingly popular as a quieter alternative to hard plastic ones. Compressed wool balls do not produce the same impact noise as plastic and are claimed to offer similar benefits. They are also a more sustainable product than plastic. The same caveats apply regarding the extent of the benefits – modest time savings are plausible, the softening effect is difficult to isolate from normal tumble drying, and independent testing shows results are variable.
Are They Worth Buying?
At a price of approximately £5 to £15 for a set, dryer balls are not a significant expenditure. If a modest reduction in drying time is achieved consistently, the cost is recovered over time in reduced electricity use. They are unlikely to cause any harm. The risk is primarily in believing the most extravagant claims – a 25% reduction in running costs is not a realistic expectation based on independent evidence.
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Tumble Dryer Not HeatingFault diagnosis when a tumble dryer runs but produces no heat or dries very slowly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do tumble dryer balls actually work?
Modestly – some reduction in drying time is plausible as the balls create space between items and improve air circulation. A saving in the region of 5 to 15% is more realistic than the 25% some manufacturers claim. The softening and fabric conditioner replacement claims are harder to substantiate because tumble drying itself softens laundry through its normal operation.
Are dryer balls noisy?
Yes – hard plastic dryer balls make a considerable noise as they bounce around the drum during the cycle. This reduces slightly as they warm up but remains noticeable throughout. If the dryer is in a kitchen or close to a living area, the noise may make plastic dryer balls impractical. Wool dryer balls are quieter and may be a better option for noise-sensitive situations.
Do dryer balls replace fabric softener?
This claim is questionable mainly because tumble drying already softens laundry without any additional product. The mechanical action of items tumbling in warm air is what creates softness – and this happens with or without dryer balls. Any additional softening effect from the balls is difficult to measure separately from normal tumble drying. Using fabric softener in the wash is already largely unnecessary if the laundry is being tumble dried.
Do I need to use fabric softener on towels?
If laundry is going straight into the tumble dryer, fabric softener is largely unnecessary. The mechanical tumbling action in warm air softens fabric naturally. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money, reduces chemical use, and – for towels specifically – maintains their absorbency, which fabric softener reduces over time.
Why Tumble Drying Softens Laundry Without Fabric Softener
Fabric softener works by coating fibres with a thin layer of lubricating agents that make them feel soft to the touch. Tumble drying achieves a similar result through a different mechanism – the repeated tumbling of laundry in warm air physically relaxes the fibres and prevents them from drying stiff and compacted, which is what causes the characteristic roughness of line-dried laundry.
The result is that tumble-dried laundry emerges soft without any chemical assistance. Independent comparisons between loads dried with and without fabric softener after tumble drying consistently show no significant difference in softness – provided the load is not over-dried.
The softening effect of tumble drying works best when laundry is dried to the correct level of dryness and removed promptly. Over-dried laundry – left in a hot drum for too long after the cycle ends – can feel rough regardless of whether softener was used. Use a timed or sensor-dry programme appropriate to the load.
The Case Against Fabric Softener on Towels
There is an additional reason to skip fabric softener specifically on towels, regardless of whether they are tumble dried or line dried.
What fabric softener does to towels
Fabric softener leaves a coating on fibres that makes them feel smooth and soft. On towels, this coating also reduces the surface’s ability to absorb water – which is the primary function of a towel. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time.
Towels without fabric softener
Towels washed and tumble dried without fabric softener maintain their absorbency fully. They may feel slightly less soft initially but this is less noticeable than the gradual loss of absorbency from regular softener use. If the texture feels too rough, the solution is shorter drying times and prompt removal from the drum rather than adding softener.
Line Drying Without Fabric Softener
The softening effect of tumble drying does not apply to line drying. Laundry dried on a line without fabric softener may feel noticeably stiffer than it would with softener – particularly items like towels and cotton shirts. Some practical approaches:
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Try reducing the amount of softener rather than eliminating it entirely – even a smaller dose provides some softening effect on line-dried laundry. -
Do not leave laundry on the line longer than necessary. Over-drying on a line stiffens fibres. Remove promptly when dry. -
Give line-dried laundry a short tumble at low heat (10 to 15 minutes) after bringing it in. This relaxes the fibres and softens the texture without the full energy cost of a complete tumble dry cycle.
Fabric Softener on Children’s Nightwear
Fabric softener reduces the flame-resistant properties of garments designed to be fire-retardant – including children’s nightwear labelled as flame-resistant. Do not use softener on these items. See our full guide on fabric softener and children’s sleepwear.
Related Guides
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Do Dryer Balls Actually Work?What the evidence shows about tumble dryer balls – modest time savings, questionable softening claims.
Fabric Softener Taken Out Too SoonWhy the softener is being flushed during the wash rather than the rinse – and how to fix it.
Which Type of Detergent Is Best?Powder, liquid, and tablet detergents compared – and how detergent choice affects machine hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need fabric softener if I tumble dry?
No. Tumble drying softens laundry through the mechanical action of items tumbling in warm air, which relaxes the fibres and prevents the stiffness associated with line drying. Fabric softener is not needed for tumble-dried laundry to feel soft, provided the load is not over-dried. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money and, for towels, maintains their absorbency.
Does fabric softener reduce the absorbency of towels?
Yes. Fabric softener works by leaving a lubricating coating on fibres. On towels, this coating reduces the surface area available to absorb water. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time. This is one of the stronger reasons to avoid softener on towels specifically – and tumble drying provides an alternative softening mechanism that does not compromise absorbency.
Will line-dried laundry be rough without fabric softener?
Possibly, depending on the fabric and drying conditions. Laundry dried on a line without softener can feel stiffer than tumble-dried laundry or softener-treated laundry. For towels and cotton items, a brief 10 to 15 minute tumble at low heat after line drying relaxes the fibres significantly. Reducing rather than eliminating softener is another option for line-dried loads where texture matters.
How to reduce energy costs of running white goods appliances
White goods – particularly those with heating elements such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and ovens – account for a significant proportion of household electricity use. Appliance efficiency has improved considerably over decades, but checking the energy tariff being paid is often a more impactful way to reduce running costs than replacing a working appliance with a marginally more efficient one. Do not make the mistake of buying a lower quality appliance purely to save a small amount of energy if it will not last as long.
Where White Goods Energy Use Comes From
Fridges and freezers run continuously but are relatively efficient. The appliances with the biggest energy impact are those with heating elements – washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and ovens. In each case, the heating element accounts for the vast majority of the electricity consumed per cycle.
This is why running temperature is so significant for washing machines – a 40 degree wash uses substantially less energy than a 60 degree wash, because heating the water is where most of the electricity goes. Modern appliances have become considerably more efficient at each temperature, but the physics of heating water has not changed.
Appliance Efficiency Has Plateaued
Years of successive efficiency improvements to appliance design have produced diminishing returns. The difference in running cost between an A-rated appliance from several years ago and the best-rated equivalent today is often modest in practical terms. Replacing a functioning appliance purely to gain a small efficiency improvement rarely makes financial sense when the embodied energy of manufacturing a replacement is factored in.
An appliance with a slightly better energy rating but shorter service life is not necessarily a better environmental or financial choice than a well-built machine with a slightly lower rating that lasts significantly longer. Build quality, reliability, and repairability are as important as the energy label figure. See our guide on whether replacing old appliances saves energy for a fuller analysis.
Energy Tariffs and the Unit Price of Electricity
The running cost of any appliance depends on two things: how much electricity it uses, and how much each unit of electricity costs. Appliance efficiency improvements reduce the first number. Checking the energy tariff addresses the second – and the second is often a larger variable than the first.
The UK energy market has changed significantly since 2021. Ofgem’s energy price cap now limits what suppliers can charge domestic customers on default tariffs, which has changed the dynamics of switching. However, tariff structures and available deals still vary between suppliers, and it remains worth reviewing what is being paid at least once a year.
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Check comparison sites for current tariff deals. Sites such as Uswitch and MoneySuperMarket compare available tariffs by postcode and usage. The Ofgem price cap applies to default and standard variable tariffs, but fixed rate deals and green tariffs may be available at different rates depending on the market at the time of checking. -
Review the tariff at least once a year. Energy prices and the available deals change regularly. Setting a reminder to check annually ensures overpaying on a default tariff for years at a time is avoided. -
Check whether a smart meter and off-peak tariff is available. Some suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours (typically overnight). Running the washing machine or dishwasher on a delay timer during these hours can meaningfully reduce running costs for high-frequency users.
Simple Appliance Use Habits That Reduce Energy Use
Wash at lower temperatures
Modern detergents work effectively at 30 and 40 degrees for normally soiled laundry. Reducing the wash temperature from 60 to 40 degrees cuts the energy used per cycle significantly. Reserve higher temperatures for heavily soiled loads and hygiene washes.
Run full loads
The energy cost of a washing machine or dishwasher cycle is largely fixed regardless of load size. A half-empty machine uses nearly as much electricity as a full one. Running fewer full loads rather than more partial loads reduces total energy consumption.
Line dry where possible
The tumble dryer is one of the most energy-intensive domestic appliances. Drying laundry on a line or airer when conditions allow eliminates this energy use entirely. Even partial line drying before a short tumble cycle reduces consumption.
Use the eco programme
Eco programmes on washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers are designed to minimise energy and water use per cycle. They typically take longer but use significantly less electricity than faster or higher-temperature programmes.
Related Guides
Should We Replace Old Appliances for Efficiency?Whether replacing a working appliance with a more efficient one actually saves energy or money overall.
What Washing Machine Energy Labels MeanHow to read the energy label – and what the ratings actually translate to in real-world running costs.
Most Energy Efficient Tumble DryersHeat pump, condenser, and vented dryers compared on running costs – the biggest appliance energy saving available.
Best Energy Saving Washing MachinesWhich washing machines offer the best efficiency ratings and what this means in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does replacing a washing machine with a more efficient one save money?
The saving depends on the difference in efficiency between the old and new machine and how frequently it is used. For a washing machine used several times a week, the annual energy saving from replacing a moderately efficient model with the most efficient equivalent is typically modest – often less than £20 to £40 per year. Against the purchase cost of a new machine, the payback period is long. Checking the energy tariff and running the machine on lower temperature programmes often delivers a larger and more immediate saving.
What uses the most electricity in a washing machine?
The heating element – the component that heats the water during the wash cycle – accounts for the majority of a washing machine’s electricity use per cycle. This is why wash temperature has such a significant effect on running costs. The motor, pump, and controls use a comparatively small amount of electricity. Modern heat pump technology in tumble dryers applies a similar principle – using less electricity to generate the same heat output.
Economy 7 Safety warning
Economy 7 and other off-peak tariffs can save money on overnight electricity – but are primarily designed for storage heating, not for running appliances. The financial saving from running a washing machine or tumble dryer overnight is typically 10 to 30 pence per cycle. The safety risk of running these appliances unattended while everyone is asleep is not justified by this saving.
White goods appliances are a leading cause of house fires. Running them while everyone is asleep removes the opportunity to detect and respond to a fire in its early stages. The financial saving from overnight off-peak tariff rates is small – the risk is not.
Is Economy 7 Worth Having If You Don’t Use Storage Heating?
Economy 7 and similar off-peak tariffs divide the day into two pricing periods: a cheaper overnight rate (typically 7 hours) and a more expensive daytime rate. The tariffs were designed for storage heaters – appliances that draw electricity overnight at the cheap rate and release heat during the day.
For households without storage heating, the tariff structure is less favourable. To benefit overall, a significant proportion of total electricity use must occur during the 7 off-peak hours – typically at least 40%. If most consumption happens during the day and evening at the higher rate, the tariff can work out more expensive than a standard flat-rate tariff. In some cases, daytime rates under Economy 7 are substantially higher than standard tariff rates.
Use a smart meter or energy monitor to understand when electricity is actually consumed in the household. If most use occurs in the evening and daytime, an Economy 7 tariff is likely to cost more overall, not less.
The Fire Risk of Running Appliances Overnight
Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers are responsible for a significant proportion of domestic fires. The risk exists whether the appliance is running during the day or night – but the consequences differ substantially.
Running appliances while awake and present
A fire that starts while someone is awake and in the building is more likely to be noticed quickly. Early detection allows time to respond, evacuate, and call for help. Smoke alarms are more likely to wake an awake occupant than to rouse someone deeply asleep.
Running appliances unattended overnight
A fire that starts while everyone is asleep has time to develop before being detected. Smoke can incapacitate sleeping occupants before they wake. Response time is reduced. The consequences of the same fire are materially worse than if it had occurred while people were awake and nearby.
The saving from running a washing machine or tumble dryer during off-peak overnight hours rather than in the evening is typically in the range of 10 to 30 pence per cycle. This is not a meaningful financial benefit. The potential consequences of an undetected appliance fire at night are severe. These appliances should not be left running while the household is asleep.
Safer Alternatives to Overnight Running
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Use the delay start timer to run appliances in the early morning. Many washing machines and dishwashers have delay start functions. Setting the machine to start an hour or two before the household wakes up means it finishes close to when people get up – while still capturing some off-peak rate benefit – without running through the deepest hours of sleep. -
Run appliances in the early evening before bed. Running the washing machine or dishwasher early in the evening rather than leaving it to run overnight means someone is awake in the building while the appliance is running. The cycle is typically complete before everyone goes to sleep. -
Ensure working smoke alarms are fitted. If an appliance is ever left running unattended – even during the day – working smoke alarms throughout the property are essential. Test them regularly. See our guide on 8 ways to make appliances safer. -
Consider a time-of-use tariff with a daytime off-peak window. Some newer smart tariffs offer off-peak rates at different times of day, not only overnight. A tariff with cheaper rates in the early morning hours (6am to 8am, for example) allows a delay-start appliance to capture the saving while still finishing before the household leaves for work.
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How Dangerous Are Our Appliances?The data on domestic appliance fires – which appliances carry the highest risk and why.
Tumble Dryer Filter Fire RiskWhy a blocked lint filter is a fire risk – and why it must be cleaned after every cycle.
Tumble Dryer Safety NoticesKnown safety notices on tumble dryers – check whether any cover your appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to run a washing machine overnight?
It is not recommended. White goods appliances are a leading cause of domestic fires. Running a washing machine, tumble dryer, or dishwasher while everyone in the household is asleep means a fire could develop significantly before being detected. The financial saving from overnight off-peak rates is typically 10 to 30 pence per cycle – not enough to justify the risk. Run appliances while awake, or use a delay start to finish the cycle close to when the household wakes up.
Is Economy 7 worth it if I don’t have storage heaters?
Probably not. Economy 7 tariffs were designed for storage heating, which draws large amounts of electricity overnight at the cheap rate. Without storage heating, the higher daytime rates under Economy 7 typically outweigh the overnight savings unless a very significant proportion of total electricity use occurs during the 7 off-peak hours. Check the tariff rates and consumption pattern carefully before switching.
Can I use a delay start to run appliances at cheaper times without running them overnight?
Yes. Setting a delay start so the appliance finishes shortly before the household wakes up – rather than running through the night – reduces the time the appliance runs unattended. Early morning (from around 5am or 6am) is a reasonable compromise between capturing some off-peak benefit and not leaving appliances running through the deepest hours of sleep. Check whether your specific tariff has off-peak windows at other times of day.
Are Eco friendly green detergents any good?
Eco-friendly laundry detergents have improved considerably but independent testing consistently finds they cannot match mainstream brands for cleaning heavily soiled loads. The most practical approach is to keep both: use an eco detergent for lightly soiled everyday laundry, and a standard biological detergent for heavily soiled items and stain removal. Washing something twice because the eco detergent did not clean it properly wastes more water and energy than using the right product first time.
How Eco Detergents Compare to Mainstream Brands
Greenwashing – the practice of marketing products as environmentally friendly without meaningful environmental benefit – has made many consumers rightly sceptical of eco product claims. Laundry detergent is one of the categories most affected.
Independent testing of eco laundry detergents has consistently found that leading eco products cannot compete with the major biological brands for cleaning performance on heavily or even moderately soiled laundry. The typical finding is that eco detergents are worth considering for lightly soiled loads, but fall short on anything more demanding.
Where eco detergents perform well
- Lightly soiled everyday laundry – items worn once in low-activity conditions
- Refreshing clothes that are not heavily soiled but need a wash
- Low-temperature washes where the gentler formula is less likely to cause fabric degradation
- Households with sensitive skin, since many eco formulations use fewer synthetic fragrances and preservatives
Where eco detergents fall short
- Heavily soiled laundry – workwear, children’s clothes, sports kit
- Stain removal – food, grease, blood, and protein-based stains need biological enzymes to clean effectively
- Higher temperature washes where mainstream detergents outperform significantly
- Situations where a single wash must get the job done – rewashing uses more water and energy than a single effective wash
The Practical Solution: Use Both
Switching exclusively to eco detergent and accepting worse cleaning results is not necessarily the environmental choice. A wash that fails to clean properly requires rewashing – which uses additional water, electricity, and detergent, potentially negating the environmental benefit of the eco product.
The more practical approach is to keep two detergents:
Eco detergent for lightly soiled loads
Everyday laundry that is not heavily soiled – shirts worn to an office, lightly used household linen, delicates – can be washed effectively with a good eco detergent. Using it for these loads reduces the volume of conventional chemicals in the wash water without compromising results.
Standard biological detergent for heavily soiled loads
Children’s clothes, workwear, sports kit, towels, and any load with actual staining needs a mainstream biological detergent to clean effectively. The biological enzymes in these detergents are specifically what makes them effective on protein and grease-based soiling – something most eco formulations lack or provide at lower concentrations.
Soda crystals (washing soda / sodium carbonate) are an inexpensive, natural cleaning agent that can enhance detergent performance and help clean the machine itself. Adding soda crystals alongside a detergent boosts cleaning power without synthetic chemicals. See our guide on soda crystals and washing machines.
Finding the Best Eco Detergent
The eco detergent market changes regularly as new products launch and formulations are updated. Rankings from independent testing also shift over time as products are reformulated. The most reliable approach to finding the current best performer is to check recent independent test results from consumer organisations – looking specifically at test scores for cleaning performance on lightly soiled loads, rather than relying on manufacturer environmental claims alone.
When evaluating any eco detergent, look for:
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Independent cleaning performance data – not just ingredient or environmental certification claims. A detergent that does not clean adequately is not an environmental product because it requires rewashing. -
Plant-based surfactants – derived from renewable sources rather than petrochemicals. Most leading eco brands now meet this standard as a baseline. -
Concentrated formats – less packaging per wash, lower transport emissions, and typically better value per cycle than dilute products. -
Minimal or recyclable packaging – solid tablets, refill pouches, or concentrates significantly reduce plastic use per wash compared to standard liquid formats.
Related Guides
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Which Type of Detergent Is Best?Biological vs non-biological, powder vs liquid, and tablet detergents compared on cleaning performance.
Soda Crystals and Washing MachinesHow soda crystals can boost washing performance and clean the machine – a natural and inexpensive option.
Biological Detergent and Skin IrritationWhat the research shows about biological detergents and eczema – and why fragrance is more likely the culprit.
How to Remove Stains From ClothesPre-treatment and washing techniques for common stains – where biological detergents genuinely excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eco laundry detergents as good as mainstream brands?
For lightly soiled loads, yes – many eco detergents perform adequately. For heavily soiled laundry, stain removal, or anything requiring strong cleaning action, mainstream biological detergents consistently outperform eco alternatives in independent testing. The practical solution is to use both rather than switch exclusively to eco.
Is it more environmentally friendly to use eco detergent even if I have to wash things twice?
No. Rewashing laundry because the detergent did not clean properly uses additional water, electricity, and detergent. This can easily negate the environmental benefit of the eco product and may make the total environmental impact worse than a single wash with a conventional detergent. Effective cleaning on the first wash is the environmentally sound choice.
What should I look for when choosing an eco laundry detergent?
Look for independent cleaning performance data rather than marketing claims or certification alone. Plant-based surfactants, concentrated formats (less packaging per wash), and minimal or recyclable packaging are meaningful indicators. Avoid products that claim eco credentials primarily through marketing language without independent test performance to support the claim.