No more chemically-smelling clothes (Eco Balls)

Member Name: ChrisCC

Product:	Eco Balls
Date:	25/02/02 (2373 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap to use, No pollution, Use less water & electricity

Disadvantages: Little balls all over the house

I saw these in a catalogue, and was a bit sceptical, but decided to give them a try as the promised advantages looked worth it:
cheaper than washing liquid or powder;
no polluting waste;
no chemicals on clothes;
nothing to irritate sensitive skin;
easy to use, no product to measure out;
no bleaches, so clothes keep their colour;
no rinsing required, so save water and electricity.

When they arrived I didn't, as per instruction, clean out the washing machine to remove all traces of detergent. I just went straight for it. I was surprised to see that I got soapy water from the residue for about half a dozen washes. So that's how well detergent rinses out! I was even more surprised to find that my laundry was clean!

These magic little balls work! They don't remove bad stains, but I rub these with a stain remover beforehand. Whites are sometimes soaked in Ecover laundry bleach (environmentally friendly) for a few hours before washing. Otherwise, the magic little balls did it all for me. I stopped using detergent completely.

Now, when I occasionally wear something that's been washed in detergent (as when I'm travelling), I'm always overwhelmed by the strong chemical smell these clothes give out.

I do however have one VERY STRONG quibble with these delightful little balls. They kept opening up, and emptying their magic contents (lots of tiny little balls) all over my washing machine, my kitchen and my laundry. The little balls turn up all over the house now. One day my husband wondered what was causing his painful feet for hours, until investigation revealed a couple of balls in his socks. (Yes, I know, you or I would have investigate earlier.) I'd wrap the balls in old tights, muslin, sockes, and then put these in pillowcases, but still the Plague of Little Balls did not cease.

However, I found a solution. There's another make of ball which, instead of un
screwing in the middle, has a small opening at the top, which stays closed until you open it. I have been using this brand (you only need 2 balls, instead of 3, as with eco-balls) for a couple of months now, and am delighted with them. Though I have heard that there are also similar balls available, containing magnets instead of ceramic balls. I might give these a try next, just to satisfy my curiosity. But I'm very happy with the ones I'm using now.

And as for the advantages listed above, I do believe they all apply, except that the genuine eco-balls aren't very convenient (when you factor in all that ball-chasing time).

(In reply to your query, I now use Aquaball Super Charged Laundry Balls from The Healthy House www.healthy-house.co.uk 01453 752216.)

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