Want soft, lint-free blankets while drying them faster than ever before? An ordinary tennis ball will help you with this. Tem works miracles in washing and drying and becomes the secret weapon of every smart housewife.
You may have already seen this trick on the Internet or heard it from a friend, but you didn’t really believe that it could really work. But they appear in households more and more often, and certainly not because of sports. They improve air circulation in the dryer, separate individual pieces from each other and help the fabric get rid of lint and stuck-on hairs. This is precisely what Mrs. Žaneta Johnová relies on, who worked for many years in a boarding house in the Jizerské hory and knows how to wash blankets and blankets down to the last detail.
Tennis balls are not the only gadget to shorten the whole drying process. Watch the video to see what other tricks you can use:
How tennis balls work in the wash
Tennis balls work on a similar principle to specialized drying balls that you can usually buy in drugstores. During washing, they move between the fabric, gently fluffing it and preventing it from rubbing too much and creating lint. Thanks to them, water and detergent flow more evenly, so the material is washed better and remains less stuck. When washing, however, use cold or lukewarm water. The heat could damage the rubber core of the balls and their effect would be minimal.
In addition, the balls can also be released firmly embedded hairs or fiberswhich normally sticks to the surface of the blankets as if glued. When fabrics are separated from each other during the wash cycle, pilling simply doesn’t stand a chance. Mrs. John says that “a few balls in the washing machine will do what would otherwise take a lot of time with hand linting”.
However, for the best possible result, always use new and clean balls. Old ones can leak rubber and clog the washing machine and textiles. If you want to minimize the noise, you can put them in a cloth bag: don’t worry, they will still work.
Why tennis balls also love dryers
In the dryer, tennis balls may have an even greater effect than in the washing machine. Their elasticity causes the blanket to be “knocked” inside and aeratedso it dries faster and above all evenly. This way, the blankets stop fluffing and stay beautifully fluffy. You will appreciate this especially with shaggy blankets, which tend to retain moisture.
Always dry on low to medium heat to protect both the blankets and the dryer. Mrs. John recommends using them in this case as well, claiming that “without them, we would take twice as long to dry the blankets in the guest house.”
Simplicity above all
This simple tool can solve several problems at once. It keeps tennis balls fresh and lint-free, shortens drying time and extends the life of the material. So if you’re looking for a cheap and reliable trick to keep your blankets and comforters in perfect condition, give it a try like so many before you. And you might find it’s one of those unexpected gadgets you’ll never live without.
