Dolly does the Washing (Lakeland Dolly Washer Balls)

Member Name: Thailui

Product:	Lakeland Dolly Washer Balls
Date:	16/10/08 (173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Saves money and the environment

Disadvantages: Can be a little noisy

Anything that saves money these days just HAS to be a good idea - and if, at the same time; you are doing a little bit to help the environment - so much the better. This was my thought when I decided to look for the Dolly Washer Balls - something I had previously seen on television some ten to twelve years ago. I will admit that I thought they were a good idea at the time but I was already using highly concentrated detergents and didn't get them. When searching Lakeland recently (for something entirely different) I came across them again and decided to give them a try.

So, what ARE Dolly Washer Balls? They are similar in appearance to something that you would give your dog to play with (best to keep them out of his way). They are two inches (5cm) in diameter and made of thermoplastic synthetic rubber which is, apparently, heat and bleach resistant. You get nine of these in lovely bright colours - green, yellow and orange/red - and the instructions are to use all of them, distributing them evenly through your washing in the washing machine. Because of their shape they move through the washing as the drum turns giving extra agitation and mimicking the pre-washing machine era scrubbing motion. With the extra movement it is possible to use less detergent and yet still get a very satisfactory result.

Do they work? Yes, I find that they do. I have certainly used less detergent, although as I mentioned, it was highly concentrated anyway. I do feel that, in some cases, I could get away with using none at all! Using half the amount of detergent has worked excellently and the washing is clean, soft and smells lovely and fresh. Probably not so good if you like your washing to he highly perfumed, but that's something I've been avoiding for years! One problem some people seem to find is that they do make a noise as the drum throws them about. I will admit that you can hear them although I didn't find the noise too bad - perhaps I distribute them more than some people.

I do count them after every wash to make sure that I haven't got one stuck in a sleeve or pocket somewhere. As I still use a washing line in the garden I need to know they are all still indoors and not being used to amuse the local foxes (they are very playful). Luckily as they ARE such lovely bright colours they DO show up quite well and, so far, I have managed to keep track of them all. By the way, they are suitable for washer/dryers as well.

All in all, I think, for a cost of £13.99 these will pay for themselves in no time - if, indeed, they haven't already. I am positive I will save money on detergent and because I use less I can also cut the washing time saving both water and electricity. Can't be bad!

I hope that you will have found this interesting and helpful and I thank you for reading it.

Hazel

Summary: Save money and use less detergent wth this idea