Ecozone Ecoballs Full Review
Posted: 18 December 2007 by Rikke Bruntse-Dahl
We think it's fab that you can ditch washing powder and fabric softeners entirely by using these Ecoballs. They work by by simply going the washing machine with a load of dirty clothes for a washing cycle at 60 degrees Celcius or less.
The basic science is that the pellets (which are made from mineral oxides and non-ionic surfactants) in the green plastic balls unleash "ionic cleaning power", which lifts the dirt out of the clothes. The pellets are free from phosphorous, which can be toxic to plants and are usually found in ordinary washing powders.
This is good news for the environment, which will get a smaller share of laundry detergents and washing powder packaging; for our clothes, which will keep for longer; and for our wallets. The balls, the pellet refills and a stain remover cream cost £35 and are supposed to last for around 1,000 washes, which would make it far cheaper than any washing powders.
For example, 1,000 washes with Ecover's non-biological washing powder would cost you 36p per wash rather than 3.5p per wash using the Ecoballs. We haven't used our balls a thousand times yet, but we'll let you know what state they're in when we reach the number.
Although the company suggests we put all three balls in the washing machine every time, we've done experiments using only one ball and for coloureds that aren't extremely dirty, it works fine.
Having been so used to the mantra that soap and only soap is able to combat dirt, it's strange -- and vindicating -- to see that the balls actually do the job. We found they cleaned our clothes just as well as any conventional washing powder we've used, including Ecover and Ariel.
The only thing that might deter people from using the Ecoballs, which has been mentioned time and time again, is the fact there is no scent at all except for wetness. It almost feels like having a shower without using soap -- like a job half done. It only took a few attempts for us to get used to getting clean clothes without a smell, though.
There's no forgetting the washing in the machine as you must take the balls out as soon as the load is finished, otherwise they'll rot and definitely won't last the prescribed 1,000 washes. We find this a bit tedious, but appreciate it's just a question of getting into the habit.
What annoys us about Ecoballs, or rather Ecozone, which is the licensed manufacturer of Ecoballs, is the lack of information about exactly how the science of these balls works and under what conditions they've been produced. We do know they're produced in Guangdong in China and we trust the workers' have decent working conditions, as the factory has been approved by Oxfam and is a member of Sedex, which is a not-for-profit organisation that works with companies to improve the ethical side of their supply chains.
We admit it took us a little while to embrace the smart, green science of the Ecoballs and let go of scented laundry. But if you're ready, the Ecoballs are well worth a try.
Quality
Value
Ethics
Green
