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

foto18566-1 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.

Content

Why are balls needed and is it possible to do without them?
What are they and how to use them?
What to look for when choosing?
TOP 7 best
What can be substituted at home?
Conclusion

Why are balls needed and is it possible to do without them?

Regardless of the shape and material of manufacture, all laundry balls have one purpose - to achieve an ideal cleaning result, maintain the structure of the fabric, and the shape of the clothing filler.

foto18566-2 What are balls for? for washing:

break down clumps of fluff and feathers in outerwear;
promote better rinsing of detergent from fabric fibers;
prevents the appearance of pilling on woolen and knitted clothes;
soften the fabric (balls can be used instead of conditioner).

When considering whether it is worth spending money on laundry balls, you should always remember that by investing once in a purchase, you can save on dry cleaning services every year and reduce the consumption of detergents.

What are they and how to use them?

Washing balls differ not only in shape (oval, round, with spikes) but also in the material of manufacture, cost, and the types of products with which they can be placed in the drum of a washing machine.

Tourmaline

Balls with minerals (tourmaline) resemble a small round rattle in appearance, filled with colored (most often white, red and blue) ceramic granules. Each granule contains the mineral tourmaline and quartz powder. The outer layer of the tourmaline ball is rubber.

The effectiveness of using tourmaline balls is explained by the following: when rubbed, mineral granules release negative ions into the water, which destroy the bonds between fabric fibers and dirt particles. Often balls with minerals are used when washing instead of washing powder.

Features of use:

Before loading them into the washing machine for the first time, the tourmaline balls are exposed to sunlight for several hours (charged with positive ions).
When using mineral balls, the water temperature for washing should be set no higher than 50°C (otherwise the balls may become deformed).
After each wash, the balls must be dried in the sun.
When washing by hand, before putting the tourmaline balls in water, the items are first soaked in a soap solution for at least an hour; when washing by machine, the balls are immediately placed in the washing drum.

Advantages:

environmentally friendly product (does not cause allergic reactions);
have antibacterial properties;
improve water quality, promote better rinsing of detergent from fabric.

Among the disadvantages, one can note the rather high cost (from 300 rubles to 1000 rubles per ball).

Buying tourmaline balls, It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of quality certificates.

Lack of documents may indicate a counterfeit product. As a result, the lifespan of the ball is reduced significantly. Instead of the three years stated by the manufacturer, after a year and a half, the ball completely loses its positive performance properties.

Magnetic

“Magnetic” balls got their name because of the magnet enclosed in the rubber shell of the ball. It is the effect of a magnet on water that makes it softer and helps wash things better with a small amount of detergent.

foto18566-4 Features of use:

When the washing machine is fully loaded, at least twelve magnetic balls are used; if the drum is half loaded, at least six are used.
Using balls with a magnet, half the amount of washing powder is poured into the washer compartment; you can dispense with the conditioner.
When starting a wash with magnetic balls, the water temperature can be set to no higher than 40°C.

Positive properties:

help remove old stains with a minimum amount of powder;
service life reaches twenty years;
helps save on electricity (magnets begin to work already at 30°C);
prevent the appearance of scale on the heating elements of the washing machine.

Among the disadvantages, one can note the rather loud noise and knocking noise that the balls make when washing.

Magnetic balls are sold as a set (12 pieces each), the cost of which varies from 1500 rubles. up to 3500 rub.

Silicone

The smooth surface of silicone balls is ideal for delicate fabrics. Having a soft effect, they do not disturb the structure of light matter.

Advantages:

preserve fabric from rapid wear;
Gently acting on clothing, they effectively remove dirt particles.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the low efficiency in the fight against old stains and stubborn dirt.

The average cost of one ball varies between 120 rubles.

Polypropylene

foto18566-5 Polypropylene laundry balls will help remove pellets, quickly remove animal hair from clothes, and maintain the softness of woolen products.

These are special balls, the hard surface of which is covered with tiny loops.. It is they who comb woolen products during washing and clean off the smallest fibers that form pellets on clothes.

They use polypropylene balls, like other types of washing balls - they simply place them together with the clothes in the washing machine drum (two pieces are enough). Advantages: help preserve the appearance of woolen and knitted products. Disadvantages: ineffective when washing clothes made from ordinary fabric.

The average cost of polypropylene laundry balls is 150 rubles.

Rubber hedgehogs

Small rubber balls covered with rounded spikes, will not only help you wash your down jacket efficiently at home, but also soften the fabric and prevent pilling from appearing on your clothes.

The principle of operation of rubber “hedgehogs” is simple: during the washing process, the balls lift and separate things, helping the soap solution to circulate freely, penetrating through the fibers of the fabric. When washing down products, soft spikes, like fingers, straighten out clumps of down and feathers.

Features of use:

for high-quality washing it is necessary to use at least two balls;
After washing, the rubber “hedgehogs” must be thoroughly dried (if this is not done, the moisture accumulated inside will begin to emit an unpleasant odor and the ball will have to be thrown away).

Those who have already tried the effectiveness of rubber hedgehogs note the availability of the product, gentle effect on clothing, and versatility of use (used for all types of textiles and clothing). Among the disadvantages, the low efficiency of washing clothes with old, complex stains is noted.

The cost of rubber “hedgehogs” varies from 100 rubles. up to 200 rub. per package (two balls).

Tennis balls

An ideal weight and size tennis ball will help prevent the appearance of clumps of fluff and feathers when washing outerwear.

foto18566-6 Features of application:

Only new tennis balls are used for washing.
For high-quality washing, 4-6 balls are enough.
When setting the washing machine mode, use the “no spin” function or select the minimum number of revolutions.

Wash a down jacket with tennis balls Just. It is enough to distribute the balls evenly over your clothes (put them in your pockets, sleeves, hood), and also put a few pieces on the bottom of the washing machine drum. During the washing process, the balls are repelled from the walls of the drum, “beating” the filling of the down jacket.

Advantages:

affordable price,
versatility of use,
ability to remove dirt from deep layers of filler.

Disadvantages: there may be situations in which a bright tennis ball leaves marks on clothing. To avoid this, experienced housewives recommend using white balls.

The average cost of a set of tennis balls (3 pieces) is 450 rubles.

What to look for when choosing?

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

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.
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.

TOP 7 best

Effect — universal (suitable for any type of clothing), affordable laundry ball (diameter 14 cm), made of rubber. Soft spikes prevent the formation of lint clumps and add softness to terry fabric. Manufacturer China. The average price of one ball is 75 rubles.
Eva — the balls are made of high-quality PVC (manufacturer China). Washing with Eva balls prevents the appearance of pilling and reduces the drying time of washed items by 25%. Can be used instead of fabric softener. The average cost of a set of two balls is 200 rubles.
Bradex Magnet Laundry — magnetic ball (diameter 5.5 cm), effective for washing children's and delicate laundry. Environmentally friendly product. Has an antistatic effect. The average price of one ball is 270 rubles.
Supra Clean Balls Washing Ball — a tourmaline ball (diameter 9 cm) will help you wash things without using detergents. Thanks to the filling of mineral granules, items acquire special softness and aroma after washing. The average price of one ball is 164 rubles.
Biotech ECO Laundry Ball - tourmaline ball (diameter 10 cm) filled with ceramic granules. Can replace traditional detergents. The average cost of one ball is 380 rubles.
Jocko — small (only 6cm) balls and PVC with soft spikes ensure high-quality washing and softness of the laundry. Manufacturer Germany. Sold in sets of two. The cost of the set is 990 rubles.
Paterra - a PVC ball (diameter 12 cm), covered with rounded pimples. Effective when washing down products (prevents the formation of fluff lumps, softens the fabric). The average cost of one ball is 195 rubles.

What can be substituted at home?

In a situation where there are no special balls at hand, and the down jacket requires cleaning, savvy housewives recommend using:

small children's rubber toys;
ping pong balls;
plastic capsules from Kinder Surprise toys (for weight, you can fill them with well-crumpled pieces of foil).

When choosing an item that could replace special laundry balls, you need to pay attention to ensure that its surface is permanently colored.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.

Conclusion

Properly selected laundry balls will become real helpers for housewives. They will not only protect things from premature wear, but will also help you save on electricity bills and the purchase of detergents.