Looking for alternatives to classic Detergent without microplastics we now come across a multitude of possibilities. Each alternative has its pros and cons and the Eco Laundry Ball is one of them. Here you can find out everything about the functionality, application and other alternatives to the washing ball. Another step to zero waste Lifestyle.
What is an eco washball?
A washing ball or also called washing ball is a small ball that washes clothes in the washing machine completely without chemicals or plastic cleans. By doing without detergent or fabric softener, the use of a washing ball is also particularly suitable for allergy sufferers.
How does an eco wash ball work?
A washing ball has a structured surface. If it comes into contact with the dirty laundry during the spin cycle, this creates friction. The dirt is thus mechanically cleaned from the clothes.
In addition, there are small balls made of natural materials in a washing ball. These release negatively charged ions when they come into contact with water. The ions cause the pH value of the water to drop. As a result, its surface tension decreases and the water also gets into smaller particles in the clothing. Ions thus support the cleaning of the textiles during the wash cycle.
Washballs are also often mixed with microorganisms and magnets. These have an antibacterial effect and also help to clean the laundry load.
Use of a wash ball
Using a laundry ball is extremely simple: the eco laundry ball is simply put into the washing machine together with the dirty laundry. Then you start the usual program. A washing ball can be used for several years. It is advisable to regularly lay the washing ball in the sun about once a month. This allows the microorganisms contained in it to regenerate and the washing ball to last longer.
From a wash load of 12kg, it is advisable to put a second wash ball in the drum to ensure optimal cleaning. In addition, a wash ball needs some space in the machine. That's why you should only fill the laundry to three-quarters full. If a piece of clothing is particularly badly soiled, the soiled laundry is pre-treated.
Benefits eco washing ball:
- Ecologically: When using a washing ball, you completely do without synthetic ingredients. This protects the environment, waste water and your own skin from harmful additives. Allergy sufferers can therefore particularly benefit from the use of washing balls.
- Durable: An eco wash ball can be used for several years without losing its performance. As a result, fewer products have to be purchased: You save resources and your wallet.
- Gentle: Laundry balls clean clothes particularly gently. The elasticity of the laundry is thus retained. If you wash wool with a washing ball, the fabric is loosened up and the wool stays soft longer.
Where can you find a laundry ball?
1. Eco washing ball from Heldengrün
This eco wash ball from Hero green lasts for up to 1000 washes and can therefore be classified as particularly sustainable. Its power range during the wash cycle extends from 30 to 90 degrees, making it a unique washing all-rounder.
Source & Copyright Hero Green
2. Set 3 in 1 washing ball by Panda Baw
The bio-certified washing ball from Panda Paw will also be sent with a free laundry net and a zero-waste ebook. This not only enables environmentally friendly washing, but also enables further training in the field of zero waste.
Source & Copyright Panda Baw
3. Washable eco laundry ball
The Washable Washing ball is also sufficient for about 1000 wash loads. In addition to allergy sufferers, it is also suitable for neurodermatitis patients.
Source & Copyright Washable
4. Soap Nut Laundry Ball from Herbow
This organic laundry ball from Herbow is not filled with the usual balls, but with 100% biodegradable soap nuts. The cover is made of cellulose, so the entire ball dissolves during the wash.
Source & Copyright Herbow
You have to refrain from some habits with the eco washing ball
- Intensity: A laundry ball alone is not enough to remove stubborn stains. It is advisable to pretreat heavily soiled textiles before washing them with a washing ball.
- fragrance: Conventional washing balls are not scented. This means that the laundry smells neutral after the wash cycle, not fresh smelling as usual. Strong odors can also linger on clothes after washing.
- graying: If there is no bleach in the laundry ball, it can happen that white laundry in particular turns gray from time to time.
- Calcification; Because there are no chemicals, a bio-wash ball does not contain any descaler. This means that the washing machine must be descaled separately in order to be able to use it for as long as possible.
Alternatives to a washing ball
1. Soapnuts
The so-called soap nuts are in most cases nuts of the soap nut tree. Its ingredients include saponins, which are plant substances with a cleansing effect.
When soap nuts come into contact with water, they foam up. A single nut can be used for about 5 washes, most packs contain about 5 wash nuts. Soapnuts are made from 100% natural materials and are therefore completely biodegradable.
However, the import of soap nuts from India ensures a high CO2 balance. If you still don't want to do without soap nuts, you can use horse chestnuts. These also grow in Germany and do not have to be imported.
2. Wash strip
The narrow, mostly white washing stripes consist of 100% degradable materials and completely dissolve in the washing machine. They are free from harmful surfactants and chemicals. Wash strips are particularly suitable for allergy sufferers and are also particularly easy to dose: one wash strip is sufficient for each wash load. This is simply added to the dirty laundry in the drum.
Nevertheless, heavily soiled laundry must also be pre-treated here in order to remove stubborn stains. A washing strip is therefore well suited for lightly soiled everyday laundry.
3. Laundry soap
An Soap cleans particularly environmentally friendly, is mostly biodegradable and can clean very thoroughly. Laundry soaps are usually packaged in an environmentally friendly way and therefore have a very good CO2 balance if you pay attention to environmentally friendly ingredients. In addition, one can laundry soap also remove stubborn stains.
It is also possible to make soap for the laundry yourself: To do this, mix 100g of curd soap, 150g of washing soda, 150g of baking soda and 100g of citric acid and put it in the washing drum together with the laundry.
Clean laundry, clean conscience:
In order to wash your laundry as environmentally friendly as possible and to get the laundry completely clean, there is a middle way: If you add only a small amount of organic detergent to the laundry ball, you get your laundry stain-free and still protect the environment with less resource consumption and the right ingredients.
