There are 43 e-Views written by our customers, and 46 customer questions that been answered by our staff for Ecozone Ecoballs ® - the original Eco Balls
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Like other reviewers, we’re very impressed with the results of washing with eco-balls. However, there are a few things that we didn’t know until we received them – which we think purchasers should know about as they raise the question just how eco are eco-balls? First, you are advised only to fill your machine with three-quarters of a normal load, to allow the balls room to move around. So that means that for every three full loads we now have to do four washes. Secondly, you cannot use any water-saving function that your machine may have (other than cutting out a rinse, if you can). (We always use the time saver anyway, so no advantage there.) Thirdly, the instructions state that you can avoid a rinse cycle by using ‘Rinse Hold’. However on our machine, which is only two years old, ‘Rinse Hold’ does not mean ‘no rinse’ – it simply means the machine rinses and then holds i.e. leaves the water in so you can drain or spin later. Finally, the leaflet suggests that to clear your machine of old deposits in the pipes, and keep it free of limescale, you run an empty cycle, using vinegar for cleaning, once a month – at 95 degrees!
I still approve of these in principle – clean , easy, no chemicals, no packaging, and economy in direct comparison with powders. But overall, in terms of water and energy? Hmmm, the jury’s still out.
How do you rate this e-View? 
This e-View is rated: Helpful (24) Passionate (2) The ecoballs work exceptionally well. i have found clothes don't need any fabric conditioner and smell nice. (although some people may want to add some conditioner.) I would recommend running a cleaning cycle on your washing machine before the first use.
The ecoballs even managed to remove 99% of lily pollen from a white shirt. I soaked in handwash and vanish for a few hours but the stain didn't change. washed in a normal cycle with the ecoballs and the stain was gone with only three tiny specks left :)
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (12) Passionate (0) The Eco balls are fantastic! I was really curious about how these balls work that's why I bought them and I am not disappointed! Even more I recommend them to everyone! The clothes are clean, fresh and even stubborn stains were removed. At the same time you're using eco-friendly product and save money. Impressive!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (7) Passionate (1) These are OK, but they don't take stains out of dirty clothes, even when the cream provided is applied which is a fiddly business. It's much easier to simply spray on a stain remover and use laundry powder. I'm losing faith in my ecoballs because if they don't take out the stains I can see, I don't fully believe that they remove the dirt that I can't. They also had a bad effect on my machine-wash black suits, causing large black stains to come up on the material. I've been quite disappointed with their performance; I can't use them on black clothes because they mess up the colour and I can't use them on whites because they don't clean them completely. Wouldn't really recommend.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (5) Passionate (0) What a relief! - I ordered these in a noble gesture of 'doing my bit' and placed them tentatively over my laundry with trepidation and to my utter astonishment they actually do work!! (even my husband says "everything even smells clean" - high praise indeed) Being a chef with lots of relatively heavy duty kitchen laundry and a baby on the way I am conscious that I didn't want to be using a ton of traditional washing powder each week, hence the move to the green side - and I'm thrilled - thank you! All I say to everyone is be brave, take that leap...
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (4) Passionate (0) I have been using these for over a year now and think they are great for day to day washing. if i have something that is really stained i treat it first but with the majority of stuff its fine. the only problem i have had is a slight musty smell after long use. apparently this is not to do with the balls but rather a build up of scum and limescale in the washing machine which is usually masked by conventional detergents. I read that putting a 50:50 white vinegar/water solution in on an empty wash with a high temp flushes it all out. it works fine for me. i do it about once every 3 months.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (4) Passionate (0) Excellent product, has cleaned our clothes really well.
A previous reviewer has noted the requirement to do a 3/4 load and the inability to cut out the rinse cycle, which I agree with to some extent. Energy use aside though at least the balls mean that we are not adding pollutants to the water system from washing detergent.
With regard to washing the machine through at 95 degrees with 2 cups of vinegar once a month, well it is also advisable to do this when you use washing detergent anyway! It helps to clear limescale and detergent build ups within the machine. Washing liquid is particularly prone to building up within a washing machine and can be corrosive over the long term. Isn't it better to know that your washing machine is properly clean rather than just having any smells masked by the fagrance in your washing detergent?!?
Overall very pleased, I'd also recommend the magno ball and dryer balls. Worth the initial investment, will save a fortune in washing detergent and fabric softener.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) Anyone who says these don't work is not using them properly. If you don't overfill the machine so the water has room to circulate, they work just as well as soap, if not better. My husband and I have 2 children under 4 years old and both of us go to the gym regularly, so we have plenty of very dirty clothes! We'll never buy soap again. They work perfectly, buy them!!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) Of course the balls do not make disappear the black stains on your cuffs or grease stains on shirts, especially children clothes, but when there is no thick stain the balls work perfectly well. I recommend to rub little stains off with any home soap and then put clothes into the machine just with the balls. No detergent nor softener. I am convinced they work!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) I have been using these for about 18 months and am just about to buy another set. They are fantastic, I haven't bought powder or fabric conditioner since then and can recommend them to anyone. My husband is sensitive to washing powders and these are the answer PLUS they are eco-friendly AND save you money. Ten out of ten!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) 
I bought these last week and they really do work! My husband commented that I seem excited about doing the washing, which I am just to see if everything comes out clean, and so far it has, even all the snot marks that our 13month old baby has left all over our black tops!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) I run a B&B and was pretty sceptical that these would get my white sheets clean. They do! They get them clean, you don't need fabric conditioner and you don't need a rinse cycle. On top of all that they do leave a fresh air scent.
for bad stains I do use a stain remover but I have to do that with the top selling liquid detergent
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) I recently bought these balls.
I washed towels at 60c, they came out clean and soft without using fabric conditioner. I normally wash towels at 90c and it takes well over 1 hour.
Next I washed cotton bedding at 40c, with excellent results, they came out clean and fresh.
My next wash contained clothing including smelly socks I used a 40c wash. Once again excellent result and the socks passed the sniff test.
Overall I would highly recommend these balls.
I saved on electricty and water by putting my washing machine on the rinse hold cycle and then turning it to spin. My towels washed in less than 1 hour.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) In my opinion the Ecoballs work OK if you have washing that isn't very dirty and just needs freshening up. I'll be keeping mine to use under these circumstances but by buying them I was hoping to dispense with using other washing powder products and this clearly isn't going to happen.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) I have used the eco balls on a number of occasions now and think they do a great job and even get whites sparkling! Tried them at 30 degrees though to be more eco friendly but they didn't seem to work very well.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) A gimmick I'm afraid. These balls only work properly when fully immersed in water so that the stones within the ball can dissolve. Most people who will use these balls will most probably have an eco washing machine that uses no where near enough water to allow the balls to be fully immersed. The stones do dissolve, and you can tell this by them getting smaller over time and coming out of the ball and blocking your pump! But the rate of dissolution is nowhere near enough to clean clothes.
A wash that uses no detergent would probably do as good a job as a wash with these balls in.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (3) Passionate (0) These balls work very well on lightly soiled clothes but not so great on clothes that have been used for aerobics, pyjamas etc as they can sometimes still smell of sweat, I use them for all of my normal washes but have resorted to buying ecological powder for more heavy soiled clothes, and also you can only use a 3 quarter full load in your machine to allow for the balls to circulate properly, which for environmental reasons is difficult for my concience. Having said that It is stopping alot of detergent from ending up in the rivers and that is a very good thing, It also saves money and is gentle on delicate skin, so there is lots of good points too and I use them for about 2/3 of my washing. Would reccomend them as an addition to your washing products rather than replacing them completely.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (2) Passionate (0) Highly recommended! They work and they save money on washing powder - its a no brainer!!
All of the family's clothes have come out clean and fresh. OK you have to do a 3/4 load but I probably never did a "full" load anyway. And as for washing your machine through once a month, well its advisable to do that with normal washing powder as well.
Its great to see something that is "green" and that saves money, normally being green costs that little bit more in time, money or effort.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (2) Passionate (0) Done about 10 washes so far and the results are good. I agree with the restrictions on the load to let the balls circulate, but I think we tend to overload usually and so will improve washing efficiency and perhaps extend the life of the machine, It would not be an issue if water harvesting and solar water heating are employed.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I was really sceptical about how well these would work. With 3 children under the age of 5 and a husband whos a builder, i thought these would struggle to get the washing as clean as a standard washing powder would. But i was really impressed at how clean and soft the washing was.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) We were really excited when we got these balls they seemed like a total no-brainer.
However, over time and even after refilling the balls and with using Ecover bleach, our whites turned grey.
We've gone back to using Ecover laundry liquid - much better.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I thought this would be an excellent idea, but unfortunately not. The ecoballs are not successful at removing organic material from the laundry - e.g. baby possets & cleaning soiled nappies. We use a 40 degrees wash in a hard water area, and will be passing the ecoballs on to someone who has very lightly soiled laundry.
The explanation of how they work is entertaining though. At one point it claims that the product reduces the size of the water molecules...
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) After having read the reviews I was very enthusiastic about trying these out. As soon as they were delivered I tried them out but was very disappointed with the results - They did not clean my clothes well and my T shirts I go to the gym with still smelt of sweat! Needless to say I returned them. The Magnoball however does seem to work, so I will stick to that and ecological detergent!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I was very sceptical about these but thought I'd give them a go and I have to say that I am so impressed! White towels came out spotless and stains easilt removed with the special cream that comes with them. Would highly recommend.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) Bought these to give them a go, but basically expected to be sending them back. I am very surprised by how well they work. They remove all blood (from hockey clothing) successfully. I have no complaints and recommend them to all.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I have a toddler and a baby and mine are HARD on clothes. i was very sceptical but have been totally surprised and impressed. Everything is lovely and clean, including the baby bibs! It also comes out really soft too.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) terrible waste of money, even using the stain remover i found my clothes to look sully and unwashed. most disappointed they did not live up to the expectations that they claim
Staff feedback- It's worth noting that Ecozone Ecoballs come with a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied*. If you find they're not for you, you won't be left out of pocket.*
We have sold over 3500 of these and have so far had 14 sent back to us (that's 0.4%). John
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I was very excited at the prospect of using the ecoballs as my daughter has excema and I liked that it was an environmentally friendly product. However after 10 days I had to send them back. Everyday stains on kids clothes have now become permanent features after regular washing (eg school uniforms). Swimming towels came out after a wash smelling of chlorine. I kept thinking of that story 'the Emperor has no clothes' - would the washing come out the same with no powder or balls? Service excellent when I returned the Ecoballs and refund quick. Disappointed all the same.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (1) I was pleasantly surprised how good these are. I use them at 35% on a quick wash which is fine. I use powder from time to time to get the nice clean smell but apart from that they work really well.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I haven't found these to be particularly effective and only use them if the washload isn't very dirty...rarely applies when you have a 2 year old ;)
I personally don't rate their cleaning power, they don't do a great deal to remove stains of any kind and seem to leave the washing smelling almost "musty" afterwards, so I only use them when it's warm enough to dry the laundry in the garden, to get that "fresh" smell.
Sorry but not impressed.
Sam x
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (1) Passionate (0) I've been using these for well over a year now and I've had no problems at all.
I have to query anyone that says these do not work and leaves their clothes smelly. Maybe its just your machine? Who knows. The only time I ever got less than stellar results were when the balls were wearing out. I refilled and presto back to normal.
I've used these on my work shirts (white) at 40oC and they still cleaned fine. Actually I've even used these at the min temperature of the machine (below 30oC) and they've still worked.
They work much better than the powder or liquid I have used in the past. Clothes are definitely as clean and more fresh than before.
Its a shame that you cannot use these in greater than 60oC water temp though. I use other eco friendly liquid for those high temperature jobs. It's the one thing stopping me from giving a 5 rating.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I've been using these wash balls for well over a year and I haven't gone back to washing powder.
It works out cheaper per wash as you don't need to use the rinse cycle, so a second load of water does not need to be heated up.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I have found the Ecoballs to be excellent for washing. Very good on colours and for whites I usually add some natural bleach or baking soda to remove the many food stains from my children. Clothes smell fresh and I don't need conditioner.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I like this product very much - no more chemical residue on the baby clothes!
Only three stars from me as I am disappointed to find I need to refill after three months - nowhere near the 1000 washes that it claims - more like 100. A shame as still a really good product.
I would recommend this product with the caution that it will need refills sooner than it claims.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) Don't rate these at all. In my opinion they don't wash any better than just using water. They don't get dirt out of whites very well and clothes quickly start to smell.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) Since using Ecoballs my washing is fresher and softer I won't be returning to conventional powders and conditioners ever again.It even gets my sons dirty jeans clean.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I have been using the ecoballs for a year now, with excellent results.I have put the money usually spent on washing products in a jar and can now afford to treat the whole family to a theatre trip and a meal.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I only bought these a couple of weeks ago and have used them about 4 times but they seem to be doing the job just fine! There's no real difference (so far at least) between their washing abilities and normal detergent. I am yet to use them on anything very dirty so time will only tell!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) These just patently don't work. They don't seem to clean any stains even at 60C. I will have to go back to Aerial! Don't waste your money...
Staff feedback- It's worth noting that Ecozone Ecoballs come with a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied*. If you find they're not for you, you won't be left out of pocket.
* We have sold over 3500 of these and have so far had 14 sent back to us (that's 0.4%). John
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) eco balls are great and do a marvellous job. But once in a while [month or 2] I put through a wash of whites with a detergent simply to brighten them a bit. I have set up grey water system to water the garden with the washing machine outflow, it goes into a settling tank down the garden and then through some drip hoses into the fruit and veg gardens. This has been running for about 4 years to excellent effect, in fact 2 years ago I used it to water the lawn. I know that strictly speaking the water should not be put on the plants so it just goes on the roots rather than leaves. In winter when it doesn't need to go on the garden, it runs by gravity into the soakaway area of our septic tank. Recommended them to a friend and her grandchild who has eczema had an almost miracle cure when her clothes had no detergent residue on them.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) Great item which lessens enviro impact by dumping less toxic waste in our sewage systems.
Rated 5 out of 5 Submitted by
Pete09 on 14th May 2009
Not sure they actually *clean* things any more than just a *normal* wash with no soap! However they do expose the fact that we don't always need to use soap whenever we wash clothes cars or even ourselves. On that basis they are excellent. We do one in every six washes with these. Then we we use Ecoleaf laundry liquid. So save a fortune over usual laundry products. You should only ever fill your machine 2/3 anyway, the laundry needs space to work properly.
Saves money and saves the planet. How much better does it get?
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) I've used these for the last two weeks and cant believe how great they are. my daughter suffers with a rare skin condition (prp) and I've noticed she isn't itching as much as usual. this goes for me as well, i noticed how soft the washing feels on the skin and helps us both. i would highly recommend these to anyone with sensitive skins. you wont want to go back to your old powders etc after using the eco balls.
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) they're great, they work, just buy them!
How do you rate this e-View? This e-View is rated: Helpful (0) Passionate (0) Product Questions about the Ecozone Ecoballs ® - the original Eco Ballsback to top »
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Most Helpful Questions
13 out of 15 people found this question and answer helpful
Heather asked this question on 17th Jan 2008
Q: Can you use fabric softner with these balls. I know it says that you don't need it, but if you have guests it is nice to make the lining smell nice.
A: According to the manufacturers..."You should find that the garments are naturally soft without the use of fabric softener. If you do miss the synthetic smell we suggest that you only use an Eco softener such as Ecover, but do not add it to the wash. When the wash is complete remove the Ecoballs™ add the softener and switch the machine on to a short rinse" John.
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3 out of 3 people found this question and answer helpful
Phil asked this question on 16th Jan 2008
Q: The instructions on your page say "Take out and leave to dry" after a load - if you're doing two or even three loads on the trot (we have a baby, can you tell??) do you need to let them dry out in between or can they go straight back in the wash again?
A: They can be used immediately - without drying out before the next load is started - we'd better change the description to clarify this! John.
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Rosa asked this question on 8th Jan 2008
Q: Do the Ecozone Ecoballs have chloride in them?
A: The ingredients of the Ecoball pellets are as follows :-Higher alkyl sulfate, non-ionic surfactant, sodium metasilicate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate. John.
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Poli asked this question on 23rd Nov 2007
Q: How are the used-up balls disposed of? Can they be recycled?
A: The balls can be refilled and re-used using the Eco Balls Refill kit. Andy
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Joanna asked this question on 19th Apr 2008
Q: Hi i would like to have a set of these but when using ordinary wash powder i find when doing my kids school tops that i need to use an extra powder stain remover. Can i use an inwash powder stain remover in with these balls at the same time, I know they come with a stain remover stick so i just assume that you can add and oxy action stain remover to the load even when using the balls to help get rid of stubborn marks. Please advise.
A: Using an extra stain remover would not cause a problem when used in conjunction with the Eco-Balls. Hope this helps.
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sophie asked this question on 26th Mar 2008
Q: If i only do a wash once a week will they last for the 1000 washes (approx 19 yrs!) or gradually deteriorate over time? realistically what is the longest time the balls will last? thanks.
A: The Ecoballs themselves do not degrade, it is the pellets inside which are worn down. They wear down when they are wet, so providing the balls are left to dry adequately, the Eco-balls should, in theory, last for the estimated 1000 washes. Obviously, however, we have not had time to test this.
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Tom asked this question on 17th Mar 2008
Q: Hi,
I was just wondering how you propose these balls to work. Your website says they ionize the water so that it can penetrate the clothing better but which of the ingredients (Higher alkyl sulfate, non-ionic surfactant, sodium metasilicate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate) do you think does this and what evidence do you have for that?
Best wishes,
Tom
A: Thanks for the query. The official explanation from the manfacturers is that the pebbles in the balls raise the Ph of the water, in doing so they create negative ions in the water; dirt is made up of positive ions, thus the negative ions attract the positive ions like two magnets.
We have received much positive feedback from customers regarding the performance of the ecoballs, and as they come with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee, there is little to lose by trying them.
Hope this helps.
Thomas
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Nathalie asked this question on 4th Mar 2008
Q: Do these work at 30C? (I tend to do the vast majority of my washing at that temp)
A: Yes, Ecoballs work well at 30 degrees C. Hope this helps. Thomas.
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Diana asked this question on 13th Nov 2007
Q: Where can I get refills of the pelletts once the ones supplied have run out?
A: You can get them from us! ecoball refill pellets (270g) will last up to 750 washes based on a 30 minute wash cycle. price is £19.99
We also sell replacement sponge rings too... POVID:33747 price £1. John
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Ellen asked this question on 3rd Nov 2007
Q: Hello. Can I use a (Magno Fix) anti-limescale ball in the drum along with the ecoballs? thank you in advance, Ellen
A: Yes. Using a Magno Ball in the drum with Eco Balls is fine. Andy
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rhona asked this question on 13th May 2008
Q: Hi, I've been using these for a few years now, but recently my washing machine has damaged one of the ecoballs. It is badly scored and I avoid using this one incase it tears clothing. Is it possible to buy a single ecoball as a replacement?
A: I'm afraid that they are only available in sets of three, however we do think that you make an excellent point and will suggest this to the manufacturers. John.
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Helen asked this question on 17th Apr 2008
Q: I bought my eco balls about a year ago, and have been generally very happy with them(even red wine stains have been coaxed out with a few washes and a small smear of the stain remover). I wondered, Can I use borax with my eco balls?
I noticed someone else had a question about not being able to programme the washing machine to miss the rinse cycle. All the programmes on my machine have a rinse cycle, but I am able to stop, reset and restar my machine to miss out the rinse cycle (following the manufacturer's instructions, of course). This does mean standing over the machine, but I live in a tiny flat so I'm never that far away.
A: Thanks for the tip! There should be no problem with using borax alongside your ecoballs. Hope this helps.
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Sara asked this question on 4th Apr 2008
Q: I noticed several people say you don't need a rince cycle, but how can I avoid this on my automatic machine? I've looked in the user manual, and there aren't any programs without a rince cycle. Can anyone give me any tips? (apart from standing by the machine to stop it manually... I'm a working mum!). Thanks!!
A: Some machines allow you to select a program without a rinse cycle, however this is not the norm. No harm will be done by allowing the rinse cycle to complete. Hope this helps.
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Emma asked this question on 26th Mar 2008
Q: In some of the reviews people have said they don't need to use a rinse cycle anymore with the Ecoballs, my washing machine won't let me bypass the rinse cycle. Will I still be "saving" if I used the Ecoballs? Thanks in advance. Emma.
A: As the cost per wash (just 3p) is significantly cheaper with the Ecoballs, then even with a rinse cycle you will be making considerable savings on each load of washing, as well as ensuring that harmful chemicals are not introduced into the water sources.
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Leese asked this question on 27th Feb 2008
Q: Are these as effective in hard water areas?
A: The Ecoballs are very effective at softening water in hard water areas. Hope this helps. Thomas
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Jane asked this question on 25th Feb 2008
Q: I used Ecoballs for ages, but eventually the outer cushion got warped. What caused this?
A: This is caused by the heat of the water warping the ring over time. Replacement rings are available at: http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/ecozone/ecoball-replacement-sponge-rings-(3)/
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Phil asked this question on 22nd Feb 2008
Q: Do these balls kill off yeast/fungal infections (e.g. thrush)? We've been using vinegar to do this but since the instructions say that they raise the pH of the water (make it more alkaline) and vinegar is an acid they will (probably) cancel each other out!
A: The Ecoballs™ mineral pellets change the water molecules to soften the clothes and change the water acidity to more alkaline (bacteria typically doesn't grow in alkaline conditions). However the addition of vinegar will not be conducive to the performance of this product. John.
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Bernadette asked this question on 8th Feb 2008
Q: Can you use ecoballs to wash woollens? I would normally use woolwash or delicate wool detergent or pure soap flakes.
Thanks
A: Eco Balls are fine for a woollen wash and work well at the lower temperature washes that woollens need. Andy
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Shahid asked this question on 13th Feb 2008
Q: Are these balls suitable for use in a washing machine connected to a water softener?
Thanks
A: Yes they will work fine with softened water.
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Bert asked this question on 17th Jan 2008
Q: Can you use an Essential oil (like Lavender or peppermint oil) to the fabric softener hole? Or would that damage the pellets? Also, when the pellets wear out, what do you do with them: black bin or brown bin? Thanks!
A: The manufacturers of Eco Balls recommend if additional products such as fabric softeners are to be used to add fragrance 'do not add it to the wash. When the wash is complete remove the Ecoballs™ add the softener and switch the machine on to a short rinse.'
When the washing pellets have worn out please dispose of any remaining
pellets safely in the general waste and not by fire or in your garden. The pellets are biodegradable. John.
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Joanne asked this question on 16th Jan 2008
Q: My housemate has found the Ecoballs not to remove sweat, etc. well enough (I've had no problems). She has added a little washing powder in with the balls, is this ok or will it damage the ecoballs?
A: Whilst the addition of powder / detergent kind of defeats the rationale for using eco balls it shouldn't damage them. The key to looking after eco balls is to ensure they are left to dry out when they are not in use - as the pellets are active when in contact with water. Hope this helps. John.
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amanda asked this question on 31st Dec 2007
Q: i usually do a wash to freshen my clothes rather than because they are dirty will eco balls do this if i am not using a nice smelling washing powder thank you
A: Eco balls are odourless when used - so clothes when washed with them will not have any fragrance. John.
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IAN asked this question on 12th Nov 2007
Q: How long do the eco balls take to dry between successive washes and is it necessary to use fabric conditioner
A: The length of time ecoballs take to dry between washes is obviously greatly influenced by the environment in which you are drying them in. However it should be noted that ecoballs do not need to be fully dry before they can be used on the next laundry load BUT once the day's laundry is complete they should not be left standing in water / or in the drum of the washing machine.
Ecoballs cannot be used in the tumble dryer, the dryer will shorten the life of the Ecoballs
Re adding fabric softener to the wash with the Ecoballs?You should find that the garments are naturally soft without the use of fabric softener. If you do miss the fragrence aspect we suggest that you could use an Eco softener such as Ecover, but do not add it to the wash. When the wash is complete remove the Ecoballs add the softener and switch the machine
on to a short rinse. John.
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anonymous asked this question on 1st Dec 2008
Q: I have been using Eco Balls for about 4 years (on and off as sometimes I'm not totally convinced of the depth of clean and there is not a 'clean' smell). Can I use fabric softener or my usual mix of tee tree oil and white vinegar?
A: The manufacturer claims that no fabric softener should be necessary as the Ecoballs themselves will soften your clothes. However should you chose to use fabric softener (or alternative) this would be no problem at all. We can also recommend the Magno Ball as an effective way to soften your water and clothes.
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Alex asked this question on 5th Sep 2008
Q: I have used these for a while now and have noticed that the white pellets have nearly all disappeared, but there are still a considerable amount of brown pellets.
What are the difference between the 2 colours of pellets and should there be a roughly even ratio of white to brown pellets?
Will having more of one colour effect the cleaning capabilities of the Eco Balls or do I not need to worry about having more brown than white pellets?
Many thanks.
Alex.
A: The white pellets in the Eco balls are designed as surfactants and the brown pellets as ceramics, and due to this difference the ratio is not supposed to be even, and it would be expected that the brown pellets would indeed last longer. However this is nothing to be concerned about. The manufacturer anticipates that your Ecoballs will need to be refilled or topped up after around 18 months of usage, when the cleaning power is not as strong. I hope this is helpful to you. Jo.
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Sarah asked this question on 29th Jul 2008
Q: Hi,
I bought some of these a few months ago and am very pleased with them however I do have one question. How ashall I know when to put the replacement pellets inside the balls? Thanks.
A: The pellets will, over time, dissolve and disappear; therefore, when you can no longer see or hear them, it's time to replace them!
(The manufacturer states that this should be after approx 1000 washes)
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Elizabeth asked this question on 19th Jul 2008
Q: I recently read in Ethical Consumer that some "eco-washing balls" are made from PVC. Are these PVC free? Thanks
A: I am pleased to tell you that Ecozone Ecoballs do not contain any amount of PVC whatsoever. Marty
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Thomas asked this question on 3rd Jul 2008
Q: Are these vegan friendly, thanks a lot, Tom.
A: As far as we are aware the Ecoballs are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. The Ecoballs themselves and the stain remover contain no animal ingredients. Jo.
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Carolyn asked this question on 18th Jun 2008
Q: Can you use these with a top loading washing machine?
A: Ecoballs™ can be used in Top Loaders, Front Loaders, Twin tubs and industrial use machines (though you will need to use more Ecoballs for industrial machines), the manufacturer's suggest that if your machine has twice the load capacity of a standard domestic machine then use two sets of Ecoballs for maximum results.
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stewart asked this question on 19th Jun 2009
Q: "Once finished washing, remove and dry out" is this after each wash, or can it be at the end of all my washing. i.e 3 or 4 washes in a morning then dry out.
A: It should not be a problem to use the ecoballs in consecutive wash cycles. Though this may decrease the lifespan of the pellets slightly. I hope this helps. Marty
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Janet asked this question on 1st Jun 2009
Q: Hi
Can you use Eco Balls in a top loader machine? My sister in New Zealand wants to use them and that's what they all have over there.
Thanks, Janet
A: Yes, according to the manufacturer, Ecoballs can be used just as effectively in Top Loaders. Marty
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anonymous asked this question on 30th Apr 2009
Q: Can bicarbonate of soda be used with eco-balls?
A: Hi, the manufacturer state that "they will be fine to use together". Marty
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Alena asked this question on 9th Apr 2009
Q: I started to use my new ecoballs two and half months ago until the clothes started to come out smelly. I cleaned balls in a soapy water but they are still smelly :-/ What should I do?
A: Hi, the manufacturer has a Q&A on this topic: see below
Q. My Ecoballs™ have started to smell strange and so are my clothes and washing machine.
A. In the years prior to using the Ecoballs™ you have probably been using powder or liquid. Just like your washing machine dispenser tray can accumulate a build up of hardened powder/liquid so can the inside of your machine and pipes. If this is not cleaned away it will cause a bad smell and will block the pipes , this smell will have been masked by the synthetic perfumes in powder. To clean out your washing machine, leave the drum empty and switch the machine to a hot wash of 90 or 95, put 2 cup fulls of White Vinegar in the dispenser tray and switch on. White Vinegar is good at removing hardened lime scale/powder deposits, is anti-bacterial and does not foam up in the machine. If you do this once a month you’ll be keeping your machine in top condition and smell—free, if smells still persist, check the pipes at the back of the machine – they could be blocked.
I hope this helps. Marty.
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RedSam asked this question on 8th Feb 2009
Q: You talk about a stain remover.
* When is this needed to be used? (ie. Every wash, or v occasionally)
* What is it made of (ie. what chemicals)?
* Is it completely environmentally sound? (Surely using the stain remover is no different to a commercial powder?)
A: It is a natural stain remover with no phosphates and bio-degradable ingredients. The ingredients are as follows; Aqua Cellulose gum, Sodium silicate, Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, Sodium citrate, Zeolite Sodium hydroxide. The stain remover is to be used occasionally; as and when needed indicated by a stubborn stain or mark.
Marty.
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anonymous asked this question on 29th Jan 2009
Q: I usually wash my clothes using a 30 minute, 30 degree wash. Will the Ecoballs wash effectively at this temperature and for this duration?
A: The recommended effective temperature range for Ecoballs is anywhere between 30 oC - 60 oC. The duration shouldn't be a problem but Ecoballs need to circulate in plenty of water so do not select a reduced water program.
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anonymous asked this question on 6th Nov 2008
Q: Hi, Where I live, in Bath, the water is VERY hard and I normally have to use Lime scale powder such as Calgon or tablets such as W5. With the Eco laundry balls, can I still use this Lime scale products?
A: You cannot use a water softening tablet with the Ecoball, however,the manufacturers have developed and recommend that you use the MagnoBall Anti-Limescale Magnetic Ball for use in the washing machine (and dishwasher).
Guaranteed for 5 years, MagnoBall could potentially save you a lot of money on softening tablets.
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Pamela asked this question on 26th Aug 2008
Q: I've just starting using these and so far so good. However with 2 young children clothes are often quite grubby, is there a stain remover that I can add to the wash rather than apply to the spot like the one provided, as it isn't likely to last very long applied to the whole front of a tshirt. I know they suggest ecover laundry bleach for whites but is this going to be safe with colours? Thanks
A: Ecover Laundry Bleach is safe to use with colurfast garments as well as whites. You may also like to consider Ecover Stain Remover as another alternative. John.
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Matthew asked this question on 23rd Aug 2008
Q: My girlfriend put them eco-balls in the wash at 95C and am worried that they are now damaged. Can you advise?
A: Ecoballs have a recommended operating temperature, between 30 and 60 C. Using the Ecoballs above 60 will shorten their life but they should still function. John.
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Zoe asked this question on 19th Aug 2008
Q: I love the idea of ecoballs but wondered if they are suitable for my machine. I'm not sure if my machine will put enough water in to make sure the ecoballs work. The machine is a Bosch WFF 1401 (bought in 1999) and the manual says 'using only a little water, the TOP WATER SYSTEM is able to provide an especially economical wash and rinse cycle. The fins on the outer side of the drum transport the water upwards. The laundry is then washed continually from the shower of water coming through the openings'. Can you advise me please? Many thanks, Zoe.
A: Ecoballs must be allowed to circulate freely in the water and amongst the clothes to achieve the desired results, so if you suspect that water will be in limited supply Ecoballs may not be the best solution to your laundry needs BUT it's worth remembering that Ecoballs are supplied with a manufacturer backed 30 day money back guarantee - so they could be worth a try. John.
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Sue asked this question on 1st Aug 2008
Q: I have one of the large capacity washing machines (Whirlpool American laundry range). I am putting in twice the number of balls to account for the larger capacity but the maximum timer option for the wash cycle is 15 minutes. When it has completed this 15 minutes, should I put it on again for a further 15 minutes?
Do the clothes really not need rinsing?
A: The manufacturers do recommend 30 minutes as the optimum time for washing - however if your laundry is clean after 15 minutes then we see no need to do a repeat cycle.
With respect to rinsing - The pellets inside the Ecoballs™ do not contain any fillers, builders or any chemical that leaves a build up in the fabric, therefore you may cut out the rinse cycle from your wash programme to save water, if your machine allows. This is usually in the form of the RINSE HOLD button. If
you cannot cut out the rinse, you can still use the Ecoballs™ through the rinse – you just will not be saving any water.
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Jill asked this question on 14th Jul 2008
Q: It says that they can be used for up to 1000 washes based on a 30 min wash. My machine takes up to 1 hr and a half, should I be thinking about changing the refill a lot sooner or does it not matter about how long they are in the wash for?
A: Yes that's right, the 1000 washes is based upon a 30 min cycle so their lifespan will vary according to the length of cycle. However, do bear in mind that by using Ecoballs you do not need a rinse cycle and they cannot be used in the tumble dryer cycle. Therefore you may be able to cut the cycle time. I hope this helps.
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Doorsey asked this question on 12th Jul 2008
Q: Could you tell me if the dryer balls & the ecoballs can be used in a washer dryer?
Many thanks
A: The Ecoballs are not suitable for use in tumble dryers and so must be taken our before the dry cycle. However, Dryer Balls are perfect for tumble drying. I hope this helps!
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Nicholas asked this question on 10th Jul 2008
Q: I wanted to know if using soda crystals had a negative effect to ecoballs performance.
A: The Eco Balls manufacturers do not make reference to the potential effects of soda crystals, but they do produce an EcoZone stain remover of their own that can be used for this purpose, which we also sell.
Jo
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Maria asked this question on 4th Jun 2008
Q: If using a 10Kg load washing machine, would you use the same amount of balls or do you need to have more? could you use other stain remover (i.e.shout)on the clothes while using these balls?
A: According to the manufacturer's instructions, if your machine has twice the load capacity of standard washing machines, then you should use two sets of Ecoballs. You may like to note that there is a 30 day moneyback guarantee on Ecoballs, so if they do not perform satisfactorily, you may return them. Hope this helps.
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ABI asked this question on 25th May 2008
Q: hi - are these are to use on delicates and handwash labelled clothes? I usually was these on 30 on the relevant wash cycle?thanks
A: The manufacturer's recommendation is that you use only 2 Ecoballs™ for a delicates wash and put your delicates in a laundry bag to protect them, always select the delicates wash on your machine. But if a top is very precious, expensive or delicate, please HAND WASH ONLY and do not use the Ecoballs™. Washing machines can be very rough on delicate clothes.
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Victoria asked this question on 18th May 2008
Q: hi there
i am thinking about ordering some ecoballs but i was wondering if they work on reuseable nappies or would i have to continue to buy norml non-bio powder for my nappy wash?
A: There is no reason why Eco Balls shouldn't be used for this purpose, and are reportedly excellent for sensitive skin and have an anti-bacterial action. Please remember that ecoballs are supported by a manufacturer backed 30 day money back guarantee. John
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