I know we have discussed that washing clothes is an area where we can each green our lives - cold water wash, hang to dry, using low impact or biodegradable detergent. Pretty much what I do most of the time.
Yesterday, I was discussing this very topic with my class and the topic of washing balls came up again. When I got home, I was looking through a slew of catalogs and there was the Greenwash Ball staring me in the face. So I took it as a sign and I am sharing some research with you.
Available from the Harriet Carter Catalog for $19.98, the Greenwash Ball is described as "a patented eco-friendly ball with ceramics inside that create frictiona nd enable water to reach a pH level equal to that of detergent...Reusable ball lasts for over 1,000 washes! Antibacterial and hypo-allergenic."
Interesting, but does it work? Before I plonk down my $19.98 + shipping, I decided to see what other think. Thank goodness for the internet.
The Lighter Footstep reports,"The laundry was clean. Not just clean, in fact, but really good." The blog continues to break down the product itself and discuss why the laundry gets clean. This makes for thoughtful reading.
Inhabitat tests report, "I used the GreenWashBall and found that the effects were like washing my clothes with just water and no detergent (which I have done multiple times due to forgetfulness or lack of detergent). The dirt that was visible before washing was still visible and the armpits still faintly smelled like BO." Inhabitat further notes,"The Straight Dope wrote a piece about laundry balls, saying that that metal elements in the ceramics could produce ionized oxygen, like peroxide, but probably not enough of it to clean your clothes. Hydroxides could be created in the same way, although not in large quantities. These ions could lower the water’s pH, the the same effect produced by lye soap and sodium hydroxide."
Laundry balls have legs in Europe and they are often further along on the green curve than the US. Do they work? Are they worth it? You weigh the choice and do let me know what you find out.
--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew
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22 comments:
The idea of using an alternative source of cleaning detergent is wonderful, but I don’t think that the Greenwash Ball is the right product for me. After our most recent class, I am going to make an effort to wash my clothing in cold water only from now on. I also understand how much energy the drying machine uses, however, most of my clothing is actually hung dry to reduce shrinking. I found this article about Method laundry detergent and it mentions how highly concentrated it is. As well, there is a pump that squirts out the right amount of detergent. With the recent advent of concentrated detergent, I think many people still don’t know how much to use. Personally, I still get confused when I only pour a little bit into the washing machine – how could that little bit clean all of my clothes? This mechanism sounds like a wake up call and learning device for people to realize how our nation chronically overuses products because we are uneducated about their content.
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/method-introduces-industrys-most-sustainable-laundry-detergent
The Greenwash Ball is an innovative and forward thinking creation, but I don't know if I will buy into it. I love the smell of fresh cleaned clothes; which I am sure relates to the nation-wide emphasis on "clean". I highly doubt that the Greenwash Ball leaves a familiar and inviting scent behind like my detergent. I am already green in the fact that I wash most, if not all, my clothes in cold water (as advised by my mother to reduce shrinking and colors mixing). I also tend to hang dry most of my clothing, especially in the summer when I can hang them outdoors on the clothes line (also provides a familiar, fresh, and comforting scent). I am not sure why the US relies so heavily on the dryer. Perhaps because of its convenience? When I lived in Italy, it was very rare to come across a dryer at all due to the high price of electricity. Every home had a drying rack. It would be great to see the US adapt to this eco-friendly and price reducing habit. I also use concentrated detergent, but like Alex, I get confused on exactly how much to use. I think my next step intro greening my laundry would be to buy into eco-friendly detergents such as what Method provides.
I recently started using Purex's 3-in-1 Laundry sheets because they are easier to transport than typical liquid and powder detergents. I have to admit that I did not consider the environmental impact of these sheets until our class. As a result I did a little research and found that Purex attempts to highlight the sustainable features of their product. The high concentrated form saves water, has 43% less packaging than competitors, and the reduced weight means CO2 emissions and energy consumption are reduced in the transportation of the product. However, the company admits that the sheets themselves are made of polyester and the packaging of Polypropylene. They are currently working on using post-consumer waste for future packaging and biodegradable materials for the sheets. Hopefully advancements in these materials as well as the chemicals actually used will create an effective, efficient, and more environmentally friendly method of cleaning laundry.
http://www.purex.com/purex-3-in-1
I am very curious to know whether or not the Greenwash Ball works effectively. I also wonder if it damages delicate fabrics as it rubs up against them. I think it is important to use non-toxic laundry detergent, but also to think of the other products we use while washing our clothes. Chlorine bleach contains chemicals which can be very harmful to the environment. A chlorine free bleach like the one marketed by Seventh Generation is an environmentally friendly alternative to Clorox. It contains only natural oxygen bleach, which is hydrogen peroxide and naturally degrades into oxygen and water, as well as deionized water. This makes the bleach non-toxic and safer for the consumer as well as the environment.
The Greenwash Ball is a very interesting idea. When you talked about it in class I was skeptical because I was confused how it would remove odor and fully clean. The one review about it not really working confirms what I was thinking. However on their website it says that you can use it along with the product you usually use. I feel like a combination of the washball and a small amount of concentrated detergent would do the trick! I definitely want to try it out.
My family has never used washing balls or anything of the sort so I never knew what they were before seeing them in dorm laundry rooms. My unfamiliarity with the product makes me less biased as to how clean it gets my clothes, because i've never used it.
This new green option would be a beneficial first purchase of this product because it seems to do the job better than the regular balls. I would probably research to see if they were available in a bath and home store around here so I could look at it, feel it and see the physical product before I order it online and have to pay the required shipping fees.
If this product reduces shrinking it could be immensely beneficial because I have a lot of apparel for my dance classes that shrinks easily. I may have to seriously consider buying this product to spare my apparel from becoming smaller and misshapen due to excessive washing.
After talking about laundry in class, I was very skeptical of the Greenwash Ball. Some of my clothes have very specific washing instructions and can easily be ruined, so I am very wary of new products. Most of my clothes need to be washed in cold water and can't go in the dryer anyway, so that is already a start to reducing my energy use when doing laundry.
I also always look at reviews before buying a new product, such as what customers have to say about clothing before I order it online. After looking at a few reviews for the Greenwash Ball and seeing a picture of it I would be a little hesitant to try it. I would be worried it would ruin my clothes and not make my clothes as soft and clean as it should.
However, I am sure they will continue to strengthen and develop this idea and maybe when they have made improvements I would be more willing to try it. As for now I will stick with my regular detergent and drying sheets.
To me, the concept of washing balls represents a new way of thinking when it comes to sustainable consumption. I think that even if this product does not work quite as well as more traditional cleaning products, the recognition that there is a different way of doing things is important. Our most recent class evoked a lot of thought regarding alternative, more green ways of doing laundry. One of the most interesting points made was the use of towels to soak up a lot of the initial dampness in freshly washed clothing. This technique cuts down on the drying time required for air-drying garments. It does not require the consumer to purchase anything. If the awareness of simple practices such as this one was raised, I think that consumers would be able to make better decisions when it comes to cleaning. Too often, people who would be willing to practice more sustainable ways of living do not do so, do to a lack of awareness.
Recently, I have been very cautious of the actions I take to save the environment. I have cut back on using the dryer and also the amount of times I wear a garment before washing it. But, I really don't know what to make of this Greenwash Ball idea. I tend to be a clean freak when it comes to my clothes, sheets, towels, etc. I need to be ensured that when I wash my clothes they will smell and look clean. Especially, my gym clothes! So, I probably would not use the Greenwash Ball because of the mixed reviews relating to cleanliness. The only incentive that is holding me back from completely dismissing the Greenwash Ball is the fact it can prevent rashes caused by some detergents. I am queen of allergic reactions and this one of the reasons I am loyal to only specific brands of detergent. If the Greenwash Ball is proven to be hypoallergenic then I may buy it out of curiosity.
I think finding an alternative way of cleaning is wonderful as well! I would love to try it out and see if it works. I think this is a very interesting concept and agree that I am a little skeptical that it will get my clothes fully clean so I would love to test this out!
The idea of washing with balls is something i would definitely be interested in trying. I would be interested to see how effected it really is. I wonder if there would be any negative effects that regular washing does not have. I always tend to use an excess amount of detergent, it is such a waste. By using the balls i would be saving the amount of detergent i use. I have read mixed reviews, which makes me hesitant to buy it. I have to experiment myself to see if it is really worth it.
I think that it never hurts to try a new product, specially when it is one that is socially responsible. I would like to get my hands on a Greenwash Ball just to see if it truly works. I am used to washing my clothes in cold water and hanging most of it, not only because it saves me energy and money, but my clothes last longer that way.
I was really interested in these laundry balls. It seems as though they are getting mixed reviews. Here is a little thought I had: What if a small amount of Borax was added to the water? For those of you who are not familiar with Borax it is an all natural mineral found in naturally evaporating lakes in the Southwest region of the US, Chile, and Tibet. Borax has many uses and can be bought in the cleaning isle of your local supermarket. It is a water softener and laundry deodorizer which is why it may work well in this application. I already use borax to wash all of my hand washing garment (and have now started to use it to do my dry clean only garments). It is also a natural color booster and stain remover. If your not sold on using only Borax to wash your laundry, it can be added to your normal wash load and because it softens the water and helps clean, less soap can be used, thus decreasing your cost of soap and your negative impact on the environment!
Final Bonus: It is cheap! I use it for pretty much everything and one box lasts me forever! It is great in the bathroom and kitchen! I have stopped buying just about all other cleaners (and I used to buy "green" brands for twice the cost).
Conclusion: I think I may get the laundry ball and use a bit of Borax to deodorize. Since I am already happy with the Borax as a detergent, I can extend the life of a box by using the balls!
Happy Cleaning!
Gina
p.s.
Since our last chat I have just about ceased all use of my dryer.
I have heard of laundry balls, but only for the dryer to fluff the clothes so that they dry faster. My family normally uses tennis balls simply because we live near a tennis court and my dog brings about 10 home a day. I imagine that a laundry ball could work to clean clothes, but I am very skeptical since sometimes I debate whether my washing machine even works. I will most likely not pay for this product, but I can definetly see my grandmother buying it for me to "test" how it works.
Since I tend to do laundry quite often I would like to find a way to lessen the negative effects it has, but I am skeptical of the greenwash ball. A big part of clean laundry for me is the clean smell that comes from the detergent, which the washing ball would not leave. Also I highly doubt that it would work for 1000 washes and have cleaning power on its thousandth wash.
At first I was really interested in the washing balls, however I'm not sure if I would purchase them after reading the second review that says that the clothes washed with the ball still had faint odors. I have a really sensitive sense of smell and I know this would really bother me. I just don't like the idea of a smell still being there after the clothes have been washed. I think the ball has great potential though, and for those who aren't as picky about their laundry as me, and for laundry that isn't that dirty it's a great product. I don't think I would invest in one at this point, but I think with further technological advances, the reliability and effectiveness of the laundry balls could vastly improve to a point where I would be satisfied enough to purchase them.
I really do enjoy entertaining the idea of the "Greenwash Ball" The idea of releasing any chemical into the water system and into the fabrics on my body is enough to convert me to the Greenwash Ball. However, skeptics do bring up some valid points. Water pressure and movement can only do so much to break up stains. Also the force of a ball filled with ceramic slamming against clothing makes me think that the fabric will become severely damaged/weakened after just a few washes. If there we some more definitive tests done I think I would be willing to try the product for myself.
I can't believe this website says the Greenwash Ball will last for up to 3 years of daily washes. This seems like a good idea, but the Inhabitat product review worries me. If your clothes are still dirty and slightly smell, then this product was actually more wasteful than environmentally friendly. Although, the Lighter Footstep seems to be happy with the product so maybe it is worth a try. Being able to eliminate detergent from your laundry routine would definitely be nice.
In theory, these laundry balls seem like a great idea. I recently read an article that discussed American's preoccupation with soap. The article stated that many times, American's use soap products when simple water and friction would do the trick. Examples were in the shower or when washing windows. I think that these laundry balls promote a similar concept. Even if they are not a perfect form of cleaner, they do encourage people to think differently about ways in which to clean. Also, since they would be a one time purchase that would last for up to a few years, consumers may start to think about going green in terms of ways to save money. This is always an encouraging factor.
I have never heard of the Greenwash Ball before reading this blog post. I think it is an innovative idea, yet I don't think I would trust it to wash my clothing completely. After reading reviews, it seems that its efficiency is still up in the air. However, I do think that laundry is a huge waste of energy and people should change their habits. I started using cold water to reduce my cost of energy in my apartment. I haven't noticed a difference between hot and cold water, so I will definitely stick to using cold water from now on. I also hang dry some of my clothes, but not enough to make a significant difference. After spending the term abroad and the lack of dryers, I have realized that there is truly no point to dryers besides time efficiency. It is definitely more convenient to use a dryer, but is it worth it? I would be interested in not using my dryer for a month to truly see how much money and energy I save.
Greenwash ball? I think it is a great idea because washing clothing in general can be a very non-green house chore. But, on another note, all cleaning products have non-green effects. I think that like what Method and Seventh Generation have begung to do with improving the wastes that cleaning products give off, hopefully this idea of a greener way to wash your clothing can be improved. I remember a few years ago my family and I began using citrus oils to create cleaning products for around the home. Everythin smelled great! BUT did not necessarily do the job. Then more green products started being produced and we were able to use them and have them actually clean. Hopefully, although Inhabitat didn't have the best remarks about the product, Harriet Carter can enhance upon their idea and make this product to be just as good as normal cleaning detergent balls.
I think the idea behind this is good but I would be very iffy about purchasing myself. I feel like just rising the pH level of the water is just like washing your clothes in chlorine and lets be honest we've all been pushed into a pool before with clothes on right? The feeling after words isn't the greatest. I feel like fading of brights and darks would occur more rapidly and make clothes that we hang dry more stiff.
I'd pass on this because even though the product could be helping the environment I'd rather feel clean.
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