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

foto18566-1 Strengthening the effect of washing powder, preventing the appearance of pellets and lumps of down, preserving the structure of the fabric - all this is within the power of balls for washing.

The popularity of these small balls grows every year, and this is because with their use you can achieve high quality washing with minimal energy and detergent costs.

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

Content

Why do we need balls and can we do without them?
What are they and how to use?
What to look for when choosing?
TOP 7 best
What can be replaced at home?
Conclusion

Why do we need balls and can we do without them?

Regardless of the shape and material of manufacture, all balls for washing have the same purpose - to achieve the perfect cleaning result, to preserve the structure of the fabric, the shape of the filler of the clothes.

foto18566-2 What are balls for? for washing:

break lumps of down and feathers in outerwear;
promote better rinsing of the detergent from the fabric fibers;
prevent the appearance of pellets on woolen and knitted clothes;
soften fabric (balls can be used instead of fabric softener).

When considering whether it is worth spending money on balls for washing, 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?

Balls for washing differ not only in shape (oval, round, with spikes) but also in the material of manufacture, cost, types of products with which they can be put into the drum of the washing machine.

Tourmaline

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

The effectiveness of using tourmaline balls is explained by the following: during friction, mineral granules release negative ions into the water, destroying the bonds between tissue fibers and dirt particles. Often, balls with minerals are used instead of detergent for washing.

Features of use:

Before the first loading into the washing machine, the tourmaline balls are kept in the sun for several hours (charge with positive ions).
When using mineral balls, the temperature of the water for washing is set no higher than 50 ° C (otherwise the balls may deform).
After each wash, the balls must be dried in the sun.
When washing by hand, before immersing the tourmaline balls in water, things are pre-soaked in soapy water for at least an hour, with machine washing, the balls will immediately be placed in the washing machine drum.

Benefits:

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

Among the shortcomings, one can note a rather high cost (from 300 rubles to 1000 rubles for one ball).

Buying tourmaline balls it is necessary to pay attention to the availability of quality certificates.

Lack of documents may indicate a fake product. As a result, the life of the ball is significantly reduced. Instead of the three years declared by the manufacturer, after a year and a half, the ball completely loses its operational positive properties.

Magnetic

The name "magnetic" balls got their name from the magnet enclosed in the rubber shell of the ball. It is the effect of the magnet on the water that makes it softer, promotes better washing of things with a small amount of detergent.

foto18566-4 Features of use:

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

Positive properties:

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

Among the shortcomings, one can note a fairly strong noise, a knock that balls emit during washing.

Magnetic balls are sold as a set (12 pieces each), the cost of which varies from 1,500 rubles. up to 3500 rubles

Silicone

The smooth surface of the silicone balls is ideal for delicate, delicate fabrics. By acting softly, they do not break the structure of light matter.

Advantages:

keep the fabric from rapid wear;
gently affecting clothing, effectively removes dirt particles.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the low efficiency in the fight against old stains, ingrained dirt.

The average cost of one ball varies within 120 rubles.

Polypropylene

foto18566-5 Polypropylene balls for washing will help to remove the pellets, quickly remove animal hair from clothes, keep the softness of wool products.

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

Polypropylene balls are used, like other types of balls for washing - they are simply placed together with the clothes in the drum of the washing machine (two pieces are enough). Advantages: help to preserve the appearance of woolen and knitwear. Disadvantages: ineffective when washing clothes made of ordinary fabric.

The average cost of polypropylene balls for washing is 150 rubles.

Rubber "hedgehogs"

Small rubber balls covered with rounded spikes, will not only help to wash a down jacket with high quality at home, but also soften fabrics, prevent the appearance of pellets on clothes.

The principle of operation of rubber "hedgehogs" is simple: in the process of washing, 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 thorns, like fingers, straighten the lumps of down and feathers.

Features of use:

for a quality wash, you must 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, the gentle effect on clothing, versatility of use (used for all types of textiles and clothing). Among the shortcomings, the low efficiency of washing clothes with old, complex stains is noted.

The cost of rubber "hedgehogs" varies from 100 rubles. up to 200 rubles per packing (two balls).

Tennis balls

A tennis ball that is ideal for weight and size will help prevent lumps of down and feathers from forming when washing outerwear.

foto18566-6 Application features:

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

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

Advantages:

affordable cost,
universality of application,
ability to remove dirt from deep layers of filler.

Disadvantages: situations are possible in which a bright tennis ball leaves marks on clothes. 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 on delicate, delicate fabrics. In order to wash woolen products with high quality, use anti-roll balls made of polypropylene. Magnetic and tourmaline balls are a versatile detergent for washing clothes from any fabric.
In order to determine the required number of balls, you need to pay attention to the material of their manufacture. For high-quality washing, it is recommended to use at least four PVC balls, 6-12 magnets or tourmaline balls.

You should not save on balls, otherwise the washing result may not meet expectations.

Before going to the store, it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the most popular manufacturers, read reviews, and monitor the price level.

TOP 7 best

the effect - universal (suitable for any type of clothing), affordable ball for washing (diameter 14 cm), made of rubber. Soft spikes prevent the formation of lumps of down, gives softness to terry cloth. Manufacturer China. The average price of one ball is 75 rubles.
Eva - balls are made of high quality PVC (made in China). Wash with Eva balls prevents pilling, reduces the drying time of the laundry 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 5.5cm), effective for washing delicate baby clothes. Environmentally friendly product. It has an antistatic effect. The average price of one ball is 270 rubles.
Supra Clean Balls Washing Ball - tourmaline ball (diameter 9 cm) will help to wash things without using detergents. Thanks to the filling of mineral granules, things after washing acquire a special softness and aroma. The average price of one ball is 164 rubles.
Biotech ECO Laundry Ball - tourmaline ball (diameter 10 cm) filled with ceramic granules.Able to 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 a set of two. The cost of the set is 990 rubles.
Paterra - PVC ball (diameter 12 cm), covered with rounded pimples. Effective when washing downy items (prevents the formation of lumps of down, softens the fabric). The average cost of one ball is 195 rubles.

What can be replaced at home?

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

small rubber toys for children;
ping-pong balls;
plastic capsules from Kinder surprise toys (for heaviness, you can fill it with well-crumpled pieces of foil).

When choosing an item that could replace special balls for washing, you need to pay attention so that its surface is permanently painted.

Conclusion

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