How to choose and correctly use balls for washing clothes in a washing machine?

Strengthen the effect of washing powder, prevent the appearance of pellets and lumps of fluff, preserve the structure of the fabric - all this can be done with laundry balls.

Every year the popularity of these small balls is growing, and all because with their use you can achieve high quality washing with minimal costs for electricity and detergents.

Having studied in detail the information about what types of laundry balls there are, what are their differences, which manufacturers are the most popular, you can choose the most suitable option for yourself.

What are laundry balls used for?

Balls make washing easier and help extend the life of things. The initial task of such devices is an additional mechanical effect on the fabric during processing, due to which dirt is washed off better and the material retains its quality longer. In addition, washing balls:

• can completely replace detergent;
• break down fluff in jackets and down jackets;
• promote better rinsing of the powder;
• help remove contaminants;
• eliminate pilling on knitted and knitted clothes;
• softens the fabric, eliminating the need to use fabric softener;
• completely hypoallergenic, which is extremely important for people prone to allergies.

Using laundry detergent balls will save detergent, fabric softener, water and electricity.

Magnetic

They are made of rubber. Their main difference is the large holes. There is a magnet inside that softens the water. The balls, pushing in a rotating drum, contribute to the detachment of dirt. Traditional detergent is used, but the dosage can be reduced. Their advantages:

• service life - unlimited;
• water softening promotes washing;
• water and electricity are saved.

The number of balls to be placed depends on the load of laundry and the selected mode. Place 6–12 pieces. According to user reviews, this expensive pleasure really improves the washing of clothes. Less powder is used, making rinsing easier. Knocking causes dissatisfaction. Magnetic balls are an additional source of noise.

What things and materials are used for?

To understand which beads are right for you, consider the purpose of their use, as they come in different types, some of which, in turn, are suitable for processing certain products.

If you use the balls correctly and wash only with products that are suitable for their properties, they will last as long as possible.

Eliminate disposable items

Disposable items are most often not environmentally friendly. So try to find a replacement for them.

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For example, instead of disposable wipes, use clean, washable cloth towels.

The sponge can also be replaced with a brush made of natural bristles, which will wash dishes better and will not become dirty quickly (it is enough that you wash it periodically).

Types of washing balls and their principle of operation

In the assortment of washing balls you will find several varieties. Each type has a special structure and a unique principle of action.

Plastic and rubber

They have a studded surface. Due to the pimpled surface, washing efficiency increases significantly. They are mainly used for processing down jackets, jackets, and blankets. During the washing process, they break up the inner layers of fluff, preventing it from clumping. Hedgehog balls cannot fully replace detergent, but only perform mechanical additional actions in the drum.

Smooth balls made of PVC materials are also on sale. They, in turn, are designed for processing delicate fabrics.

Magnetic

They are a plastic ball with a small magnetic ball inside. They have a maximum service life of 20 years.

In addition to their main mechanical function, they soften water by demagnetizing it. If you use balls like these, you can skip the conditioner, since the clothes will be soft and pleasant to the touch after washing.

Tourmaline

In appearance, tourmaline balls resemble a baby rattle. Inside the plastic base are small granules of tourmaline, which contains more than 80 minerals. When in contact with water, the granules release alkali, which foams in the process and removes dirt from things.

When using tourmaline, there is no need to use washing powders and gels. In addition, the minerals included in the composition soften and disinfect water. This property not only improves the quality of washing, but also protects the washing machine from damage.

Tourmaline balls are relatively expensive, but their service life of 3 years fully pays for this cost.

When using tourmaline beads, follow these guidelines:

• When washing by hand, first soak the items in water;
• When washing in a machine, there is no need to pre-soak things;
• Before the first use, saturate the internal contents of the device with positive ions by keeping it in the sun for at least 30 minutes;
• The washing temperature should not exceed 50 degrees;
• After use, let the balls dry completely.

Tourmaline balls are a hypoallergenic product, so they can be used for washing children's clothes or clothes for allergy sufferers.

Anti-pellet balls

They resemble balls from the children's game "Darts". The plastic base is covered with ribbons with loops to which lint, wool and threads stick. During the washing process, the ball slides over the surface, thereby removing pellets.

In addition, the balls have a beneficial effect on the operation of the washing machine, since they collect lint and debris in the drum during operation.

These balls also work great for removing animal hair on clothes.

With ceramic granules

On sale you can find balls with ceramic granules. They are similar to tourmaline balls in their external structure, only the inside of such devices is not tourmaline granules, but ceramic. The manufacturer recommends not using powder, since the granules are made from natural raw materials, which, when interacting with water, create negative ions.

They can be used no more than 500 times. Before washing, soak the ball for 15 minutes, and be sure to dry it after.

Wool balls for drying clothes

Special dryer balls are made from sheep wool. Used in washing machines with drying function. They are helping:

• reduce the moisture level in products by 25%;
• make laundry softer without using conditioner;
• reduce the risk of pellets;
• prevent the filler from rolling off in down jackets and jackets during drying.

One sheep ball is designed for 1000 dryings. Just put it in the drum before the drying cycle and dry thoroughly afterwards. If desired, before the procedure, you can add a few drops of essential oil directly to the ball, and then the laundry will emit a light, unobtrusive aroma after drying.

From pellets

How do they work?

Frequent washing causes pilling to appear on clothes, giving them an unkempt and tired look. The main victim of pilling is woolen clothing. To prevent fibers from matting, special polypropylene balls are used. On their surface there are soft loops, which, while rotating in the drum, wind thin fibers, hairs, and hairs around themselves. At the same time, prevention of clogging is carried out. Drying time is reduced by 25%. Provide delicate care and quick drying.

How to use?

12 balls are placed into the drum at a time. Effect:

• things wash better;
• no pellets are formed;
• the attractiveness of things is maintained;
• protect the filter from clogging.

The cost, for example, of a kit from the German manufacturer JOSKO is 708 rubles.

Users respond positively to JOSKO products. They note the softness of the linen, especially terry towels and robes. For hard water, this is a godsend. Consumers claim that polypropylene balls fully replace air conditioner, and at the same time help improve washing efficiency. But about the pellets themselves, the reviews are not so clear.

Which ones are better to choose?

To understand exactly what kind of balls you need, determine how and what you will use them for.

For example:

• Tourmaline and magnetic balls are suitable for washing almost any clothes.
• Silicone ones are suitable for processing delicate fabrics.
• Balls with PVC spikes will be needed for washing jackets and down jackets.
• Anti-pilling balls do an excellent job of processing woolen and knitted items.
• With ceramic granules they are suitable for everyday clothes without visible stains.

Proper use of laundry balls will help keep your clothes looking their best for longer.

What to look for when choosing?

Taking into account a few tips, choosing the right balls will speed up significantly:

1. For each type of fabric, a specific type of ball is selected. Rubber “hedgehogs” are ideal for cleaning outerwear. Smooth PVC balls are effective when washing delicate fabrics. In order to wash woolen products with high quality, anti-pilling balls made of polypropylene are used. Magnetic and tourmaline balls are a universal means for washing items made from any fabric.
2. In order to determine the required number of balls, you need to pay attention to the material they are made of. For high-quality washing, it is recommended to use at least four PVC balls, 6-12 magnets or tourmaline balls.

You should not skimp on balls, otherwise the washing result may not live up to your expectations.

Before going to the store, it would be a good idea to get acquainted with the most popular manufacturers, read reviews, and monitor the price level.

How to use laundry balls

Regardless of the type of balls and their manufacturer, the recommendations for their use are approximately the same. You simply place the required number of balls into the drum of the washing machine, and after washing, remove them and dry them.

How many balls are needed when washing different clothes and linens?

To determine how many balls are needed for one wash, you need to know the size of the washing machine drum and its loading level, and also take into account the purpose of the balls.

Most often, balls are sold in sets of 2, 6 or 12 pieces.

For washing down jackets and down products

For washing jackets, down jackets and other products with natural or synthetic fillings, balls with pimples are best suited. They will create additional mechanical forces when the drum rotates, as a result of which the filler will not crumple.

Since these devices are made from painted plastic, check before use to ensure they will not stain the product. To do this, fill the balls with hot water and let them sit for at least 30 minutes. If the water has not changed color, then you can safely use them.

For one down jacket or blanket, it will be enough to place from 2 to 6 balls in the drum, depending on the dimensions of the product.

For washing your bra

For washing bras, special container balls have been created, consisting of two spheres: internal and external. Such devices help protect bra parts from mechanical damage during automatic washing. After it, the straps do not twist, the hooks and fittings do not break, and the cups remain in their original shape.

For washing sneakers

If you wash your sneakers in an automatic machine, you can enhance the effect of the detergent by using tourmaline, magnetic or plastic balls. They will help eliminate complex stains and prevent the internal seals of the tongue and backs from becoming crumpled.

Why are plastic spheres with magnets inside needed?

These products are sold in sets of 6-12 balls, and at least 5 balls should be loaded into the drum (always read the instructions on the packaging). At the same time, you don’t have to worry that they will damage the washing machine, because their surface is covered with soft rubber. Such balls are constantly attracted to each other and, colliding with clothing, shake out all the dust from it.

The shelf life of plastic balls is from 10 to 20 years. Their main qualities are protection against limescale, saving energy resources, softening the fabric and increasing the efficiency of machine washing. But, it is better not to use magnetic spheres for large-sized blankets, down jackets and blankets.

Advantages and disadvantages

During use, many housewives noted that thanks to the balls:

• the down in jackets does not get lost;
• contaminants are removed better;
• pellets disappear;
• powder and conditioner are rinsed out better;
• Detergents, electricity and water are saved.

Despite this, such devices also have disadvantages, namely:

• make a loud sound during washing as they hit the drum;
• suitable for washing in water with a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees;
• cheap beads can fade and ruin your clothes.

Take inventory

Take a close look at what's in your cleaning products. The label indicates the composition, which should be your guide.

Anything containing harsh chemicals should be thrown away immediately. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products that will not harm your health or harm the environment. Of course, they are more expensive, but it's worth it when it comes to safety.

How to replace laundry balls

A classic replacement for special laundry balls would be tennis balls. Of course, they will not give the same effect, but they will cope with the task of breaking down the fluff when washing a down jacket. Add 3-4 tennis balls to the drum when washing and the fluff will not bunch up.

If you don't have tennis balls on hand, you can replace them:

• silicone balls from toys of a child or a domestic cat;
• a ball of thread, after putting it in a sock;
• walnuts;
• self-rolled foil balls.

Balls for washing clothes will become real helpers for many housewives. They will protect product materials from premature deterioration and save the family budget. Some of their types will help break down the filling in jackets and down jackets during washing, eliminate pilling, and even become a complete alternative to washing powder.

Customer Reviews

The opinions of people who have already used the balls are very mixed.

Either they don't work, or I don't understand something. They rattle terribly during washing, and they don’t really remove stains! Now children play with marbles.” “This is just a find! I started adding three times less powder, and things are washed with a bang. I wash baby items and diapers only with them. I still use conditioner for a pleasant aroma.

I always wash my down jacket with balls, now I don’t have to worry about the down getting wrinkled. But, of course, they won’t remove difficult stains, so you don’t have to wait for a miracle.

I have German balls. The instructions say that it has magnets. They look like rubber with spikes, but they are quite heavy. One blue one goes into the washing machine. The second red one is already drying. At least that's what the instructions say. It is also said that it saves energy and powder consumption. I like the effect. I recommend.

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