Wash balls - Laundry balls - Eco balls (merged)

Linguistic_Chimp

I really want to try the Ecozone Ecoballs, but I don't know the cheapest place to buy them. Does anyone know?

Also, I can see from previous posts that people have had problems with them in the past. How about now? Which are the best ones?

AngieB_2

I use the "Wash-it" ball from Lakeland (£7.99), and I'm very pleased with it. It is great for coloured washes, they come out fine. On white washes, if there are any bad stains (I'm thinking of grass stains etc on my son's school trousers) then I pre-treat the marks with some borax, or the stain stick that came with the wash ball.
There is no need to use fabric softener with it, everything comes out soft, with no static cling (I sound like an advert!)
The only thing I have noticed is that whites start to get a little "grey" after 5 or 6 goes with the ball. I just put a bit of washing powder in the next time, and they come out whiter - then it's back to the ball after that.
I was prepared to risk £7.99 on something I hadn't tried before, but I wouldn't have risked £30.
Have a look on ebay for cheaper deals.

SuziQ

I started using wash-it balls when they were a TSV on QVC several years ago-2 balls and a large stain stick for around £12 incl p&p. now I just buy the ones from betterware=£5,same and cheap really. I pre-treat any stains the same as I would with powder and very economical-plus my husband and eldest son didn't suffer the excema they did with even non-bio powder.Each ball lasts me around 5-6 months.

ETS I agree totally about whites-every 3-4 washes I wash in bio to bring the whiteness back.

zarazara

I think they mus work, otherwise trading standards would have had then up in court by now.

AngieB_2

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

Have you thought about trying soap-pods as an alternative? I'd imagine that they wouldn't work out to be much more expensive and I've heard lots of good things about them (there are a couple of threads on here too:)) and they are much kinder to the environment than commercial soap powders.

I have tried the soap nuts (as well as the laundry balls). The soap nuts worked fine, although I've not bought any more, because I'm not sure if you could call them "environmentally friendly". Anything that needs transporting half way around the world just to clean my clothes needs questioning. Shame they don't grow in this country.

skintas_2

no sorry never used them i use tesco value powder mixed with soda crystals, i use white vinegar as the fabric conditioner

lexa34

Hello,
I have cut down on the old chemicals for me and mine by using ecover, white wine vinegar and Aquados's Simply Washing ( buying boxes off their website using discount codes!). However, I want to at least halve the amount I am using by getting some of those laundry balls that go in the washing machine and I cam't find any info anywhere that saying which are the best. There seem to range in price from £5 to £40!
Anyone had any experience with these? Firstly though do they work?(I am now going to try to do a poll on this for the first time ever...)

Thanks in advance (hopefully!)

whatatwit

I've never tried them, but I would think that part of their "sucess" is not putting too much into the washer to start with. This would allow the balls to agitate through the clothes and help the rubbing action.
Also I think that pre-treating marks helps, you wouldn't have to buy anything too fancy, just damp the stain/mark and rub over with a bar of soap.....green Fairy kitchen soap is good, or just bathroom soap.

Penelope_Penguin

We have a long thread on washing balls, so I'll add your question to it to keep all suggestions together.

Penny. x

elizabethrose64

I use Eco Balls for my gym kit - a quick freshen up or wool wash programme and they come out smelling clean (not perfumed). If you like your washing to smell fragrant a couple of drops of essential oil in the powder dispenser works well. Not very good for anything that is dirty or stained but very good for items that only need freshening up.:D