Eco Wash Laundry Balls

There are many places online you can purchase them from, even the cheap ones work! Though you do get what you pay for, the more expensive ones will last longer and usually come with a refill supply and some eco-friendly Stain Remover.

We have reviewed the 3 types of Eco Ball we have used in the last 3 years further down this page.

We switched to eco wash balls about 3 years ago now and have tried a number of different designs. The main reasons for switching were partly environmental and partly due to skin sensitivity to laundry detergents.
The environmental impact of using normal laundry products is huge. The phosphates and other chemicals do not do our water systems any good at all and remember clean water is a precious commodity. Even eco-friendly products that readily biodegrade or are from natural sources have more impact than eco-balls due to the sheer volume of detergent and powder you would use in the 400 washes that you'd get from a wash ball, which usually weigh less than 1 detergent container. The financial savings are also quite a bonus, though they can seem expensive to buy. This expense when compared with 400 washes of normal detergent is actually a saving over time!

So, our experience over the 3 types we've used so far?

Green spiky rubbery eco-balls - These were the first we tried and the results were great. Though within a couple of hundred washes the join was starting to split and they had to be held together using cable-ties. The refill hole was also quite tricky, but never opened during a wash.

White Plastic with rubber/foam ring - These looked a bit better than the green ones and the performance was great again. Their durability however wasn't. Supplied as a set of three, they very quickly started to break bits of the mesh and leak the little balls everywhere! Definitely a design flaw somewhere in this type.

Laundry Discs - The T-Wave laundry discs are the model we're using currently. Despite not being refillable they seem to be much sturdier than the plastic balls and the cleaning power is superb. Whilst the others both came with 'stain sticks' these came with a bottle of 'vegetable concetrate', only a teaspoon is required per wash, so it lasts quite a while. In reality though we've found on loads that aren't heavily soiled or very smelly this isn't actually needed. SO 6months into using them this review of eco wash balls gives the T-Wave Laundry Discs 5stars!

The Big Green Smile believe passionately that the individual can make a difference and that small changes by one person can have a ripple-through effect on society at large.

All their products meet at least one of these criteria - Products help aid water efficiency - Products help aid energy efficiency - Attempt to make people think twice and help change behaviour towards use of a resource - Products are locally sourced wherever possible - Wood products come from sustainable sources - Recycled materials are used wherever possible

As well as stocking Ecozone Ecoballs® they also stock the amazing Soapods Soap Nuts a natural cleaner that grows on trees, 100% organic and chemical free.

The Ethical Superstore has a wide range of eco-friendly and innovative products, from the Recycled Drinking Glasses made from Grolsch Bottles, to Fairtrade Furniture

As well as finding Eco-Wash Balls Nigel's Eco Store stocks items as diverse as Hemp Knickers
Also worth checking are the EcoStapler - uses no staples: saves metal and you'll never run out of staples again, and the Bamboo Mouse no nasty plastic in this!

The Natural Collection is an online store bringing you the best in eco-products and environmentaly friendly goods

With laundry Products such as Eco Wash Laundry Balls and the higher quality, heavier duty T-Wave Laundry Disc capable of 400wash cycles, you will never have to worry about chemical detergents polluting the environment or allergic reactions again!
They also stock a wide range of other products, from Brazilian Hammocks to Shower Filters
The Natural Collection provides a great range of Eco Products.

Whilst not being entirely Ball Shaped the T-Wave Laundry Discs work on similar principals to other Laundry Balls. They are the weird shaped things pictured above!
They contain only two types of activated ceramics. These oxygenate the water making it extremely solvent. The water then penetrates the laundry and dissolves the soil and dirt.
Lasting for up to 400 washes and with two per pack, the discs are extremely economical and especially suitable for those with allergies or sensitive skin.
They are available from The Natural Collection in the UK

Click Here for availability on amazon.com, though listed they are rarely in stock for long.

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Stats added 25th November 2008