There's nothing more frustrating than opening the dryer to find your bed sheets twisted into a giant ball, trapping every towel, pillowcase, and T-shirt inside. It's a common laundry annoyance, but according to experts, it's also one of the easiest problems to prevent.
The solution comes down to a few simple tweaks, from shaking out your sheets before they go in the dryer to adding dryer balls and using a lower heat setting to reduce tangling as the fabric tumbles.
Here, they share the seven simple steps that make washing and drying bed linen easier than ever.
1. Always Shake Your Sheets Out Before They Go into the Dryer
'If there’s one laundry complaint I hear all the time, it’s, “Why do my sheets always come out of the dryer in one giant ball?”' says Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert and Founder and CEO of Juliette, an NYC-based premium laundry service. 'It happens more often than people think, and it doesn’t just make your laundry frustrating; it also keeps parts of your sheets damp, creates more wrinkles, and can even make your dryer work harder than it needs to.'
The easiest fix? Giving your sheets a quick shake before putting them in your dryer.
'This is my number one recommendation because it’s so simple and it really works,' she explains. 'Giving your sheets a good shake helps release any twists that formed during the wash cycle, so they have a better chance of tumbling freely instead of wrapping around themselves.'
And, as Alicia Sokolowski, Cleaning and Laundry Expert and President and Co-CEO of AspenClean, adds, 'By having separated sheets, this provides more airflow throughout the dryer, making it less likely that the sheets will wrap around one another.'
That added airflow also means your sheets dry quicker, helping, in turn, to cut energy bills at the same time.
2. Use Dryer Balls to Separate Fabrics
Next, advises Rechelle, you should be using dryer balls. 'I recommend dryer balls to just about everyone,' she says. 'They help separate the fabric as the dryer turns, which keeps sheets from clumping together. As a bonus, they can shorten drying time, soften fabrics naturally, and help reduce wrinkles without using dryer sheets.'
In terms of how many you'll need, Alicia shares that you should use three dryer balls, such as the Evriholder 100% Wool Dryer Balls, available at Walmart, for a small or medium load, and up to six for a larger load, assuming the drum isn't overloaded.
And, if you're interested in the tennis ball vs dryer ball debate, it's always worth investing in the real thing rather than risk introducing potential toxins into your laundry routine.
3. Choose a Lower Heat Setting
'Many people think higher heat means faster drying, but that’s not always the case,' warns Rechelle. 'I recommend using a medium or low heat setting because it gives the sheets more time to tumble freely instead of tightening up and sticking together. It’s also much gentler on your bedding and helps it last longer.'
Therefore, if you've invested in some of the best luxury bed sheets (our favorites are from Matouk, available at Nordstrom), you can rest assured that they won't end up pilling and damaged.
4. Stop the Dryer Halfway Through the Cycle
To avoid any tumble dryer mistakes when drying bed sheets, Alicia recommends starting the dryer, waiting about 15 to 20 minutes, and then pausing the cycle.
'Take out the sheets and unravel any tangling that might have started,' she says. 'Shake each piece out and then return all the bedding loosely to the dryer and continue the cycle. This method helps break up a ball before the inner layers remain trapped and damp for the remainder of the cycle.'
As Rechelle adds, 'It's a small step that can save you from finding damp sheets at the end of the cycle.'
5. Dry Sheets Separately from Towels and Heavier Items
'This is one mistake I see all the time,' shares Rechelle. 'Towels and heavier fabrics tend to wrap around lightweight sheets, making them ball up. I always recommend drying sheets on their own or with other lightweight bedding whenever possible.'
Additionally, says Alicia, make sure you're not overloading your dryer, either, which is another probable reason why your sheets are balling up, your dryer is getting too hot, and your laundry smells damp.
'In order for sheets to completely dry, they need to have space to lift and unfold, and dry as the dryer drum spins,' she explains.
6. Take Bed Sheets Out the Dryer as Soon as They’re Dry
Always promptly remove your bed sheets from the dryer as soon as they're dry to prevent them from balling up, which is a simple way to make laundry smell better, too.
'Once the dryer stops, don’t let your sheets sit inside for an hour,' advises Rechelle. 'Removing them promptly helps prevent wrinkles from setting in and keeps them looking much fresher.'
7. Keep a Wrinkle-Release Spray on Hand
Finally, adds Rechelle, 'If your sheets still have a few wrinkles, I recommend a quick mist of wrinkle-release spray,' such as the Downy Wrinkle Releaser, available at Walmart.
'Smooth the fabric with your hands, or toss the sheets back into the dryer on low heat for a few minutes. It’s an easy trick when you want your bed to look crisp without ironing.'
What to Shop
Shop from a selection of laundry and tumble drying essentials below, all of which are top-rated by customers or have been tested by us here at Homes & Gardens firsthand.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
These natural dryer balls are made from 100 per cent premium New Zealand wool and are designed to last over a thousand dryer loads.
Not only does this wrinkle releaser spray eliminate wrinkles − it also eliminates odors, refreshes fabrics, reduces static, and works as an ironing aid.
These cotton-linen blend sheets are my all-time favorite. The green gingham adds the perfect touch of color and pattern to any bedroom space.
Obviously, drying your bed sheets on a rack instead of the dryer will prevent any bundling or balling. This also harnesses all the benefits of air-drying laundry.
This luxe laundry detergent will keep your bed sheets smelling fresh between washes, and can be used both for handwashing and in your machine.
This clever laundry bag makes transporting sheets to and from your dryer easy, and conveniently folds flat for storage when not in use.
Meet the Experts
'My biggest piece of advice is to focus on airflow,' concludes Rechelle. 'When your sheets have enough room to move and aren’t wrapped around themselves, they’ll dry more evenly, wrinkle less, and come out of the dryer the way they’re supposed to: Soft, fresh, and ready to go right on the bed.'
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