Alternatives to washing powder???

ClaireLR

I was wondering if anyone uses anything different to wash their clothes on a regular basis other than washing powder.

I've heard of soap nuts and washer balls but not sure what they are/where to buy them/if they're really better than powder/if there's anything else I could try.

Don't particularly have masses of stained clothes (i.e. from kids or grubby job). Just wondered if there was a chemical free and chepaer way to wash clothes really!

thriftmonster

I have just started using the dolly balls from Lakeland which have let me turn down to 30C and to use half the washing liquid - they clatter a bit in the machine but are working.

ClaireLR

Hi thriftmonster.

What exactly are they then? Are these the same as the washer balls I have read about on here?

And you have to use detergent still, right?

Pink.

Hi Claire,

These older threads should help:

Soapnuts

Wash balls - Laundry balls - Eco balls

Pink

ocy1

hi I have got grubby kids,(4) I use washer balls from £shop +soapnuts, viniger not conditioner and they get my washing very clean.

thriftmonster

The dolly balls are 9 little ridged plastic balls that you spread through your washing and enable you to use half the washing powder recommended. Ds2 is allergic to everything except Ecover liquid which is quite expensive - so although they cost £13.99, they should pay for themselves in 3- 4 months for me.

bonnie_2

I've got 3 dirty kids and soap nuts and vinegar are great, for stains use ecover stain remover first or soak in soda crystals over night. summer naturals sells everything you need.

angelavdavis

I use eco balls from Lakeland, although I do use Lidl washing tablets (£2.08 a box) for really dirty washes (only one tablet)

jillsg

We've been using these for six months, and they're brilliant. You just have to give them a quick wash in soapy water about once a month, then they work perfectly. We add a few drops of essential oil to the tray where the ordinary detergent would go to give clothes a nice smell:
http://www.ecozone.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=314

You can get them lots of places, and they usually cost around £30-35. Sounds price, but they last for 1,000 washes (around five years, based on 4 washes a week), which works out to just 3.5p per wash. Much cheaper than any other option. And you don't have to deal with lugging home the detergent or worrying about running out.

ClaireLR

jillsg thanks for that,

do you have to use detergent as well or just the balls? I'm confused (it doesn't take much tbf!)

jillsg

No, just the washing balls. There are some kind of beads inside that do the cleaning. My husband the scientist was sceptical, but even he is convinced. We've accidentally washed the clothes without the balls, and they still smelled and weren't that clean. With the balls, they're great. As I said, we do add a few drops of essential oil to give a slight scent, but otherwise, clothes come out smelling of nothing, which is also fine.

As for the beads in the balls, they have to be replaced after 750 washes (they tell you how to spot this so you don't have to count), but they provide a set of replacement beads with the box, so you're good to go for about five years for a family of two.