Tennis Balls in the Dryer!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am not sure if this discussion qualifies as being scientific, but since I had this talk one time with F, I thought this would be a good place to discuss this topic.  One time on DK when someone talked about using dryer sheets and having problems with their dog getting a hold of them, I commented that I had heard you could use tennis balls in the dryer as a dryer sheet substitute.  Well, of course, F asked me immediately how that worked and I had to explain that I had no idea and had heard the idea on the Bonnie Hunt Show and since I loved her and her show I was sure it was the God's honest truth. This wasn't good enough for F and I tried to Google it to see how it worked, but couldn't come up with much.

Well, more data is in to support my theory.  I just purchased a down coat from Land's End and on the label for the washing instructions, it clearly states, "Do not use Fabric Softener.  Tumble dry low with a clean tennis ball."  If Land's End AND Bonnie Hunt are not good enough for F, I am not sure what else I can do, but I would be interested in knowing if anyone knows how a tennis ball works in the dryer?

Does anybody know how this works??

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Karen, F is still going to want to know how they work. You know how she is :) LOL I use them in the dryer to fluff up down coats, too, and it always works. I have never washed a tennis ball. I am so lazy I just buy new ones. I do wash their collars and stuffed toys by putting them in a pillow case or washing bag. I think I should get half credit!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

One thing I'm pretty sure about is that for fabric softening purposes, you should probably use clean new tennis balls. The ones that are covered with mud and dog drool probably don't work as well.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Even I know that :) LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

Half credit. No, way more than that. Occasionally I'll was the leashes I've made but I don't get carried away.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

This is exactly what I was going to say - nothing to do with the static cling or softening just fluffing.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nope, Bonnie Hunt said they help with static cling :) She does not lie!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I can't believe you posted about Bonnie Hunt saying not to use fabric softener sheets! I heard her say that too and it stuck with me and ever since I have not used those sheets! I remember her saying that when she would go out and walk her dog and pass someones dryer vent she could smell the dryer sheets immediately if the dryer was on. She said they were full of chemicals and she wouldn't even breathe in the air! She was a nurse in her past career and said she learned it back then. Where is that Bonnie Hunt??!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I loved that show and still mourn it being taken off the air :) Lots better than most of the new ones out there.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Speaking of which I just saved my neighborhood. Dogs may have keener noses but they cannot make phone calls AFAIK. I had been getting momentary whiffs of natural gas, really the odor they add to it, when we walked past the end of my property, about 200 feet from my house, on the street. My neighbor, who I enlisted to check it out, smelled nothing. But today I called the gas company. The young man, who appeared within a half hour, found a small gas leak, "ventilated it with a bang bar" and told me the repair would be done in a few days. He thinks it's in the feeder connection  to a neighbor across the street.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, Good job and good sniffing. I am glad you made the call. Gas leaks can be very dangerous. Job well done!!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Wow, good job for sure! Your neighbors should be very thankful!!