Has anyone tried Ecoballs?

saygoodbyetothese

http://www.biggreensmile.com/products/ecoballs-eco-balls/ecoballs.aspx?productid=ecoballs

How do the results compare to just doing a wash with water?
Do you still need to use fabric conditioner with them?
How do you know when the filling needs to be changed?

I'm not sure whether to switch to them or just stick with an eco friendly detergent (Method) - although if they work the Ecoballs seem a lot cheaper!

Thank you

jamesingram

use them for several year and on dark washes I cant tell the difference from liquid etc. other than clothes smell of nothing , rather than that chemicial perfume scent of conditioner
They wont get out stain on whites, but then I usually wash stuff at low temperature anyway so that might be the problem.
They claim good for approx 50ish washs ? i think. I keep then in the box and just mark each use on it , then change them around 50 or if they seem to not be so effective.
I beleive most the work in washing machines is done by the hot water and the movement of the drum and the numerous rinse; powder, liquid, ecoballs , just helps as with any soap or oxygenator
cheers Jim
ps I dont bother with conditioner , just line dry for that summer fresh feel

Ben84

saygoodbyetothese wrote: »

http://www.biggreensmile.com/products/ecoballs-eco-balls/ecoballs.aspx?productid=ecoballs

How do the results compare to just doing a wash with water?
Do you still need to use fabric conditioner with them?
How do you know when the filling needs to be changed?

I'm not sure whether to switch to them or just stick with an eco friendly detergent (Method) - although if they work the Ecoballs seem a lot cheaper!

Thank you

I'm very sceptical about these washing balls. The comparative tests I've seen (Which? magazine for example) didn't find them any better than just water. The explanation of how they work with ionised oxygen sounds made up as well, as I can't identify how it fits in with anything I know about the properties of oxygen.

As for fabric softener, I don't use it as I find some of the newer washing products (liquid capsules) work great without it. That has reduced the amount of products I use per wash and saves some money. So, you may also be able to skip the softener if you find the right detergent.

santer_2

" My current opinion (shared by many other engineers I know) is that they are not a proven or logical replacement for proper washing machine detergent. They may under certain conditions appear to clean some laundry, but then so does bashing laundry against rocks in a running stream in the jungle. Constant use of them (in place of proper detergents) may cause a build up of grease and gunge inside the washing machine which can ultimately undo all the savings by shortening the life of the washing machine or causing extra repairs. "

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/forums/topic/169-eco-wash-balls/

jamesingram

Yes bashing clothes against a rock does clean clothes , so that raises the question, do we really need washing detergent to remove sweat and light staining . my understanding was they act in a similar was to soap.

I've used them at least 5 years and all seems ok with my machine and my friends dont say I smell .
The vast collections of bottles of chemicals you're able to purchase nowadays to clean various areas , one for the bathroom, one for the kitchen , one for the windows etc. etc.
It's an excellent job of 'up selling' by the manifacturers , seems
funny to me,
Generally some hot soapy water and a spray bottle of water mixed with distilled vinger and a little lemon juice seems to cover all jobs that these assortment of brightly coloured hygiene champions claim to battle ,
though I admit a little elbow grease may be required every now and then.

Oliver14

Interesting review here

http://www.thebiggreenidea.org/news/newsletter_article/eco-balls-miracle-product-or-a-load-of-spin/

SailorSam

If you wanted to be a bit more eco friendly you could try soap nuts.
What Are Soap Nuts?

antrobus

saygoodbyetothese wrote: »

http://www.biggreensmile.com/products/ecoballs-eco-balls/ecoballs.aspx?productid=ecoballs

How do the results compare to just doing a wash with water?
Do you still need to use fabric conditioner with them?
How do you know when the filling needs to be changed?

I'm not sure whether to switch to them or just stick with an eco friendly detergent (Method) - although if they work the Ecoballs seem a lot cheaper!

Thank you

Like every so-called 'eco' laundry it's just Sodium Carbonate aka washing soda. That's 90p a kilo in Tesco.

borkid

I've been using them for about 6 months now. They were cheap in Aldis so thought I'd give them a try. We do not have particularly dirty clothes ie no children. If there is a stain then I pretreat with the stain remover which comes with them. This is very good, best I've used. I tend to put the wash temperature on to 40 rather than 30. Washes up whites very well, all our bedding is white. The clothes feel softer to handle as well.

The little balls inside the ball change colour when they need renewing. I've also started using a green magnetic ball in the wash as well (supposed to help in hardwater areas and I must say I use less salt in the dishwasher since I've been using them). I read somewhere that a service wash ( running machine empty on high) every now and again helps if there are any smells. I've not had to do this.

HalloweenJack

got a box free from edf - and there back in the box - we have children (sweaty active teenage boys) and they are completely useless , the clothes are not washed anything like they are with detergent

McKneff

I did try them a few years ago, but my whites were getting greyer and greyer. So I stopped but I did go on using them for darker/coloured items with no problems.