[This is an edited re-post of a topic that existed before the forums were hit by a virus in June 2005. Please feel free to add comments at the end.]
This is one minor lifestyle change which we've made. We are so happy with them, I wanted to share the potential savings with everyone. I'm not in any way connected with the manufacturer and can't take any responsibility if you don't like them, etc., but thought I would give you our verdict and the manufacturer's claims.
I've been getting Ecoballs for my entire family and we are all very pleased with how they perform.
For about ?35 you get three balls and some re-fills (try your local independent health food store). You put the balls into the washing machine instead of washing powder. In general they clean beautifully, but stubborn stains need a bit of stain remover.
Apparently, the little balls inside produce ionised oxygen to penetrate powerfully into fibres to lift away dirt.
This is what the manufacurer's claim (my comments in brackets)
- re-usable for about 1000 washes (can't confirm this yet, it will take me three years to complete that many wash loads!)
- cost about 3p per wash compared to about 25p normal washing powder (I expect to save about ?200 on washing powder)
- Hypoallergenic for skin
- Antibacterial
- No soapy residue
- Free of dye and perfume
- Environmentally safe
- Ideal for septic tanks
- Save water and electricity by cutting out rinse cycles (not needed as there is no detergent to rinse out)
- No need for fabric softeners (fabrics turn out soft with a fresh air smell)
- save on heavy shopping loads (& Fuel)
- not tested on animals.
My apologies if this isn't the correct forum for this, but I couldn't seem to find a more suitable one. Also, I realise that I'm still talking about using an electric washing machine which might not be possible post PO, but then I'm guessing that washing powder is probably is some way a product of oil. Plus we are reducing water, energy, packaging and transport by using products such as these.
[PV post] Ecoballs
Moderator: Peak Moderation
Ecoballs sound great. I might get some from here.
As for washing machines, I remembered seeing a small (table top) hand powered washing machine meant for use in a caravan or something. I did a search and found Wonder Washer. Only thing is that it uses pressure to force detergent through the clothes, not sure if it would work with Ecoballs.
As for washing machines, I remembered seeing a small (table top) hand powered washing machine meant for use in a caravan or something. I did a search and found Wonder Washer. Only thing is that it uses pressure to force detergent through the clothes, not sure if it would work with Ecoballs.
Based on this thread, I went out and bought my Ecoballs today (?35) and stuck our first wash on tonight without washing powder. Will let you know what we think of it.
I am convinced, but my wife says she will let me know when she see's the results! One comment she made was that it will not smell fresh and washed, which is part of the reason she washes clothes.
Help me with a response guys and gals........
I am convinced, but my wife says she will let me know when she see's the results! One comment she made was that it will not smell fresh and washed, which is part of the reason she washes clothes.
Help me with a response guys and gals........
snow hope wrote: I am convinced but my wife says she will let me know when she see's the results! One comment she made was that it will not smell fresh and washed which is part of the reason she washes clothes.
top; I thought you washed clothes to get them clean!
Maybe "clean but no chemical fragance" will have a nice smell of its own and that'll do the trick?
Let us know how the test goes and also what the your other-half thinks.
Hi Snow Hope, I hope the wash came up to expectations.
The first wash I got out I didn't think smelled right, but then I realised it just didn't smell of artificial chemicals. Now I just absolutely LOVE that fresh-air" totally natural smell. Ask you wife to give it a fair go before she dismisses them she might learn to love the natural freshness.
My daughter is like your wife and she has been conditioned (not by me) to expect that washing powder smell. She gets round it by adding a very small amount of fabric softener which seems to satisfy her craving for the "perfume". My daughter also mentioned that her white towels came up whiter and brighter than usual with the ecoballs but a couple of spots hadn't come out and she had to use a stain remover spray but only on really stubborn stains.
Another thing your wife might appreciate is the antibacterial action of the Ecoballs. Washing powder might smell cleaner but as far as I know it is not antibacteriocidal. When you think of the residues of various things (I won't elaborate!) that goes into the wash attached to our clothes - isn't it comforting to know that those little bugs are getting zapped in the wash.
In the end nothings perfect but when you stand to save ?100s and help the environment I don't mind compromising on the wash a bit but honestly I don't feel I've had to - I'm hooked on Ecoballs.
The first wash I got out I didn't think smelled right, but then I realised it just didn't smell of artificial chemicals. Now I just absolutely LOVE that fresh-air" totally natural smell. Ask you wife to give it a fair go before she dismisses them she might learn to love the natural freshness.
My daughter is like your wife and she has been conditioned (not by me) to expect that washing powder smell. She gets round it by adding a very small amount of fabric softener which seems to satisfy her craving for the "perfume". My daughter also mentioned that her white towels came up whiter and brighter than usual with the ecoballs but a couple of spots hadn't come out and she had to use a stain remover spray but only on really stubborn stains.
Another thing your wife might appreciate is the antibacterial action of the Ecoballs. Washing powder might smell cleaner but as far as I know it is not antibacteriocidal. When you think of the residues of various things (I won't elaborate!) that goes into the wash attached to our clothes - isn't it comforting to know that those little bugs are getting zapped in the wash.
In the end nothings perfect but when you stand to save ?100s and help the environment I don't mind compromising on the wash a bit but honestly I don't feel I've had to - I'm hooked on Ecoballs.
Hi Murpen,
Just to follow up on the Wonder Washer. Ecozone replied to my e-mail and said that Ecoballs need to Spin in Water" in order to work.
That was good enough for us to decide it was well worth a go and we ordered a wonder washer yesterday!!
I will carry out some tests when it arrives and let you know results in a couple of weeks or so. I'll be trying it out with the ecoballs at various temperatures even cold to see what happens.
Another benefit of the Wonder Washer is that you can empty the "grey water" out into a bowl and use it for the garden whereas with the conventional washer the water goes down the drain.
I also feel it will be great when you have a smaller load. I have to confess I'm often looking around to find some extra washing just to make up the wash load.
Thanks for the tip!
Just to follow up on the Wonder Washer. Ecozone replied to my e-mail and said that Ecoballs need to Spin in Water" in order to work.
That was good enough for us to decide it was well worth a go and we ordered a wonder washer yesterday!!
I will carry out some tests when it arrives and let you know results in a couple of weeks or so. I'll be trying it out with the ecoballs at various temperatures even cold to see what happens.
Another benefit of the Wonder Washer is that you can empty the "grey water" out into a bowl and use it for the garden whereas with the conventional washer the water goes down the drain.
I also feel it will be great when you have a smaller load. I have to confess I'm often looking around to find some extra washing just to make up the wash load.
Thanks for the tip!
Will come back to you as soon as I have some feedback on my first ecoball wash.
That Wonderwash machine looks just perfect for PO. I think I am going to have to get one.
Anybody know where I can get some good wind-up torches and wind-up radios?
I would be interested to hear of any more suggestions for eco-living gadgets that are useful and save on energy. I am really getting into this!
That Wonderwash machine looks just perfect for PO. I think I am going to have to get one.
Anybody know where I can get some good wind-up torches and wind-up radios?
I would be interested to hear of any more suggestions for eco-living gadgets that are useful and save on energy. I am really getting into this!
Simply:snow hope wrote:Anybody know where I can get some good wind-up torches and wind-up radios?
I would be interested to hear of any more suggestions for eco-living gadgets that are useful and save on energy. I am really getting into this!
www.ecotopia.co.uk
GD
theeggman -
Hope you like the Wonder Washer I also often look round for extra washing so I'll be ordering one soon.
snow hope -
I did a froogle search for wind up radio"and found Wind-up Torch Radio for ?9.99 from Maplin for a wind up radio with a torch even has a solar panel and emergency siren! See froogle results for other ?9.99 torch/radios from Dixons Currys and the gadget store (they don't have the solar panel or siren and the torch doesn't look as good but postage might be less).
Hope you like the Wonder Washer
I also often look round for extra washing so I'll be ordering one soon.snow hope -
I did a froogle search for wind up radio"and found Wind-up Torch Radio for ?9.99 from Maplin for a wind up radio with a torch even has a solar panel and emergency siren! See froogle results for other ?9.99 torch/radios from Dixons Currys and the gadget store (they don't have the solar panel or siren and the torch doesn't look as good but postage might be less).
loads and loads of links for wind up gear on my wiki (please add any you discover)...
http://peakoil.wikispaces.org/Preparing
http://peakoil.wikispaces.org/Preparing
Looking at the maplin website, found Universal Solar Powered NiCd Battery Charger for 9.99 too
So - if 20 of us end up using Ecoballs and they do 1000 washes each and if we normally bought washing powder that did 12 washes a box, we'll save 1667 boxes of washing powder, packaging, transport, etc. (hope I got the maths right!!!).
And if 100 or 1000 people switch.....
If 20 of us end up using a Wonder Washer or some non-electrical equivalent, roughly how much power do we stand to save each year?
My next challenge is to find some kind of wringer to squeeze the washing dry - any ideas?.
And if 100 or 1000 people switch.....
If 20 of us end up using a Wonder Washer or some non-electrical equivalent, roughly how much power do we stand to save each year?
My next challenge is to find some kind of wringer to squeeze the washing dry - any ideas?.