Laundry balls

[getting there]

I just bought some code laundry balls for $10NZ and so far so good. I have them in the middle of the aggitator and I don't have to put anything else in (unless I"m doing my nappies and whites) and everything comes out clean and smelling good. Another great thing is that it's also saving power and water because I don't have to do an extra rinse cycle to get out any residue and DD hasn't had a reaction . My partner was confused when he noticed I wasn't putting in any laundry liquid or powder, so I showed him and explained to him (and highlighted the money saving aspects ie $10 does 200 washes plus saves on power and water) and he is very impressed.

[ina]

Are they the same as ours - I think they are called eco balls? They are a lot more expensive, but I worked out that they should last me about 10 years.

http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/produc ... 1QodRmcbVw

[getting there]

They seem quite simialr http://www.greenbeans.co.nz/index.php?m ... cts_id=302

[mrsflibble]

so what *are* they? the websites don't give much information as to *what* the spheres are made from.

[getting there]

Your right they don't say much about the details like what is in them or if the materials are eco friendly ie recycled plastic.

I found one site that says the granules are ceramic http://www.grownupgreen.org.uk/features/?id=802

Another says they contain Higher alkyl sulfate, non-ionic surfacant, sodium metasilicate, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate http://www.greenwarehouse.co.uk/index.p ... ail&id=251

And this site http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/household-produ ... s/1014596/ says they contain Mineral oxides and Non-Ionic Tenside and that the stain remove contains Anion, Non-ion, Soda and Sodium Carbonate.

I found this site http://www.jeremyjohnstone.com/blog/arc ... -for-real/ helpful because I'm new to all this stuff and didn't pay too much attention to chemistry at school.

I soak my whites in ecostore whitener until there is enough for a load. I do the same with anything particuarly dirty (I have a toddler (in bamboo nappies) ). So I haven't used the whitener yet but find that everything comes out clean. With my partners clothes I add a little eco store liquid to help with smell (he's a builder so quite active). And with towels and underwear I put canesten in the final rinse to help prevent thrush infections.

I suppose if people want a smell they could add a few drops of their favorite essential oil to the wash?

[Annpan]

And with towels and underwear I put canesten in the final rinse to help prevent thrush infections.

I have never heard of doing this, is it quite common? (I have moved to wee wipes recently)

[getting there]

And with towels and underwear I put canesten in the final rinse to help prevent thrush infections.

I have never heard of doing this, is it quite common? (I have moved to wee wipes recently)

Sorry if this is tmi but I used to get thrush monthly so I started using this http://www.canesten.com/products_en/can ... er_en.html it's a laundry disinfectant and is designed for cold washes but you can use it in warm and hot washes too. (I also changed to mama pads, mooncup, and wee wipes, all to escape the bleaches and perfumes and other nasty stuff I seem to react to.) No thrush for about 4-6 months now... touch wood

Some sensitive skins do react to the canesten so its a case of trial and error to see if it's right for you and yours. HTH

[Annpan]

Thanks

I have luckily never had thrush (possibly when I was small, but I don't know for a fact) I have recently moved to wee wipe (still using disposable sanitary wear - for now) but I do get the occasional itch and reading your comment made me wonder if I should be using more to kill any possible infections?

I wash LOs Nappies with the wee wipes at 60oC and hang outside to dry... but I guess there is probably a low risk of anything being transmitted on the weewipe?


And TMI.... for sure, but that's what I love about ish - my mum should have taught me half the stuff I found out on ish, but she never did Thanks again.

[MrsD'ville mkII]

I was very excited about laundry balls (what an admission!), but I didn't find them too great in action. Clothes just weren't coming clean so I would end up washing them again a little hotter, which totally defeats the object. I have to confess I've now gone back to regular washing liquid - I'm not proud of myself but with five people and no disposable things in the house beyond loo paper (and I'd eradicate that if the others would let me!) I have so much darn washing that I need it clean first time!

[LBR]

My experience was that they seemed to work the first or second time and not thereafter. Figured this was due to the residue of laundry liquid in the clothes and in the machine. Don't know if it was the brand I had, or if they are a scam, or what.