Out of tennis balls? Wool dryer balls, rolled towels, and clean tights all keep pillows fluffy in the dryer. Here are the best alternatives, the right heat settings, and which pillows you should never tumble dry.
Tennis balls are the classic trick for fluffing pillows in the dryer, but they aren't required and they aren't even the best option. The job of any agitator is simply to bounce around the drum, breaking up clumps of fill and keeping air moving so pillows dry evenly without flattening.
If you're out of tennis balls (or never had them), the short answer is: use wool dryer balls. They're quieter, lighter on the drum, won't shed dye, and they're reusable for years. If you don't have those either, several common household items work in a pinch.
Two to three wool dryer balls produce the same agitation as tennis balls without the noise or smell. Wool also absorbs a small amount of moisture, which can shorten the cycle. They cost roughly $10-20 for a set of three and last for hundreds of loads.
Lightweight sneakers with the laces tied work surprisingly well, especially for down or down-alternative pillows. Tuck each shoe inside a pillowcase or cotton sock to muffle the noise and keep the drum from getting marked. Skip foam-soled flip-flops - the EVA can soften under heat.
Roll two clean dry towels tightly and secure each with a hair tie or a sturdy knot. Towels add weight and movement, but they don't bounce as aggressively as balls, so plan on hand-fluffing the pillows once mid-cycle.
Ball up three to four clean tube socks, or knot a leg of pantyhose around itself, and toss them in. Light but lively - best paired with another agitator like a rolled towel for larger pillows.
Crumple aluminum foil into 2-3 inch tight balls. They cut static and add a little weight. They flatten over time - re-crumple every few loads. Don't use them with delicate fabrics that can scuff.
When pillows tumble alone, wet fill clumps and packs against the corners. Without something bouncing through the drum, the clumps dry that way - leaving permanent lumps and a flatter pillow. Any reasonably bouncy object will break up those clumps; that's the whole reason tennis balls work, and why almost anything in the list above works too.
One note from the Sleep Foundation: dryers with automatic moisture sensors can end the cycle early when bouncy objects strike the sensor. If your machine cuts off after a few minutes, switch to a timed cycle.
Most major sleep authorities recommend laundering washable pillows every 3-6 months, and replacing pillows every 1-2 years (down can last longer). If your pillow stays lumpy after a full dry cycle plus hand-fluffing, the fill has likely broken down - it's time for a new one.
The best replacement is two to three wool dryer balls. If you don't have those, use clean lightweight sneakers (with laces tied), tightly rolled bath towels, balled-up clean socks, or 2-3 inch aluminum foil balls. Avoid foam-soled shoes, plastic toys, or anything with metal hardware.
You can, but expect lumpy results and a longer cycle. Without an agitator the wet fill packs together and dries that way. If you have nothing to add, plan to pause the dryer every 10-15 minutes and hand-fluff the pillow each time.
Squeeze and towel-roll the pillow first to remove excess water, then dry on low heat with wool dryer balls and pause to redistribute the fill every 15 minutes. Most washable pillows dry fully in 45-60 minutes this way. Avoid high heat - it doesn't speed things up much and damages the fill.
Used, broken-in tennis balls are generally fine. New ones can off-gas a rubber smell when heated and occasionally transfer dye onto light fabrics. Tucking the ball inside a clean cotton sock fixes both problems.
No. Heat warps memory foam and dries out latex, both of which permanently damage the pillow. These materials are spot-clean only - use a damp cloth with mild detergent and air-dry flat, away from direct sunlight.
Written by
Banner Mattress EditorialThe Banner Mattress editorial team publishes independent mattress reviews, buying guides, and sleep-health advice. Since 2018 we've tested 1,000+ mattresses and 3,000+ pillows, sheets, and bedding accessories in our review lab - every recommendation is hands-on, never sourced from vendor talking points. Affiliate links may earn us a commission, but never change what we recommend.
Bedding GuidesTSA lets you bring pillows and blankets through security without limits, but whether they count as a personal item depends on the airline. Here's the airline-by-airline breakdown.
Bedding GuidesTrundle bed sizes, mattress thickness limits (6 to 8 inches), and how trundles compare to daybeds, captain's beds, and storage beds - with low-profile mattress picks and floor-space planning.
Bedding GuidesHow to style a gray throw blanket on any bed - five styling techniques, what works in five bedroom styles, the right size for twin through king, and which materials are worth buying.