Has anyone tried washing balls?

[roitelet]

I saw one of these the other day, umed and ahhed a bit and bought one. It cost the same as a bottle of the usual washing product that I usually buy and does 1000 washed. If it works it is cheap!!!!!

It is a large perforated plastic ball filled with ceramic beads. The principal is that that it modifies the molecular structure of the water and it allows it to penetrate the fibres of the cloth removing the dirt. It is supposed to change the PH of the water to that of a detergent, reduce the surface tension of the water and increase the strength of the wash. No other washing product needed!!!!! To reactivate the ceramic balls It needs to be placed in the sun after 500 washes, if I remember. The other advantage is that there will be no build up of fats in the grease trap that has to be cleaned at least once a month, we have independant drainage.

I have just used it for the first time and it has got my filthy gardening trousers clean and removed tomato stains from CK's shirt. Magic????

As there is no soap product involved I will be happy to water the veg with the water as I think that grey water gives the veg a slightly soapy taste. Rushes out to buy another dustbin.

[Nicos]

Nope- I've not- but would certainly give it a try.

At the moment I've a bag of soapnuts awaiting trial- apparently they have a nice smell and are a bit of a fabric softener- and then the water can be used as a pesticide in the garden!


Let us know how you get on with them ( are they abrasive to the fabrics????)

[Glutton4...]

Nope - me neither! However, I am currently making my first batch of environmentally friendly laundry soap, so will post info as soon as it has been tested.

[zazen999]

Yup, I think there's a thread on here somewhere. They are great!

[Jeanied]

I use the other kind, the ones that come in 6's - they bash around in the wash with no ceramic beads.
They seem to do the job pretty well - and I only use half or a quarter of the soap in the washing machine, so one box of tablets lasts me ages.
I am so used to this minimal soap business now that I am frequently overpowered by the smell of regular detergent on other people's clothes! A huge waft of Persil - yuk.

ETA other brands are equally pungent

[WrexTheDragon]

I have about 10 of these in my washing machine. Only use one washing tablet if the items are heavily stained. Otherwise they do a great job.
They also came with a bag of spare grey beads to replace the ones in the balls as they do get smaller every time they are used.

They are great devices, but I do have an issue with them in that they can get stuck in the plastic collar around the drum.

[roitelet]

I have about 10 of these in my washing machine. Only use one washing tablet if the items are heavily stained. Otherwise they do a great job.
They also came with a bag of spare grey beads to replace the ones in the balls as they do get smaller every time they are used.

They are great devices, but I do have an issue with them in that they can get stuck in the plastic collar around the drum.

This one is too big to get stuck!

[Polly Fouracre]

Do you think it works on the same principle as banging your washing on rocks in a river?

[Jelliebabe]

I'm so juvenile - Im still chuckling at the title! Must investigate these tho - always looking for ways to save money!

[Alison]

I bought some years ago and they're OKish for things that aren't that dirty but I found they didn't clear proper stains etc and certainly couldn't manage grease marks etc. Mine are a bit smaller than tennis balls with a rubber ring round them if you see what I mean. Not used them in ages but must look them out again as they're good for towels, bedding etc which is really being freshened rather than washing. The state my lottie stuff is in by the time I've finished it takes a good soak and proper soapy wash to get it half clean looking

[Glutton4...]

I'm so juvenile - Im still chuckling at the title! ...

Glad it wasn't just me!

[bobleponge]

Glad it wasn't just me!

Nor me *sniggers childishly

I will have a look out though when I get home, not heard anything about this sorcery before.

[northepaul]

I wanted some but they seemed a bit expensive - about £30 ish....so I have not bothered yet. Having said the same thing about mooncups, maybe I should learn my lesson though

[Glutton4...]

Try eBay Thea - much cheaper!

As for Mooncups - I was about to buy one, when I discovered I was going to have a hysterectomy - so I'm blimmin glad I didn't. Don't fancy the chances of selling a used one...

[shirlthegirl43]

Okay, I'll bite - I believe my menfolk do so regularly They use

method

I bought some envirorwash balls from Alid last year - still use them but do put a Fairy bubble thing in at regular intervals to get the really grubby or smelly stuff clean.

They are super for the dog bedding as there is no soap or anything to irritate his skin.