Tossing a load of laundry into the dryer is easy. Deciding whether to add something extra—like a dryer sheet or a set of dryer balls—is where it can start to feel like you need an advanced degree. While both products are designed to improve the drying process, they work in very different ways—and they’re not exactly interchangeable. In some cases, they’re not even recommended.

Dryer sheets have long been a laundry staple for their ability to add a fresh scent while keeping clothes from clinging to each other. The thin, single-use sheets are coated with fabric-softening and static-controlling agents, and the heat of the dryer transfers these coatings onto the fabrics.

More recently, dryer balls have gained popularity as a reusable alternative that promises softer, fluffier clothes with less waste. Dryer balls are generally made of fabric-friendly wool, but plastic and rubber versions are also available. They’re added to the dryer with wet laundry and work through physical motion rather than chemical coatings.

Understanding what each does best can help you decide which option makes the most sense for your laundry routine.

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