Your questions about Simply Laundry Balls answered
I talk to thousands of people about Simply Laundry Balls and other Live Simply laundry products on my visits to home shows and eco events. Here are the questions I get most often, with the answers.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
Answers to those common questions
Click on one of the following questions to find out the answer.
- When should I replace the pellets?
- How do I top the balls up with the refill pellets?
- Can I wash nappies with them
- I miss the smell of my laundry products. The balls only have a mild fragrance. Can I add something to them?
- Can I use laundry products with the balls?
- I haven't got time to be watching over my machine to turn the rinse cycle off
- But if you do really do want to save water .....
- I’ve heard that you can re use the washing water?
- One of the plastic balls has cracked and broken so the pellets are spilling out. How can I fix this.
- Will my whites stay white?
- We have a septic tank so how would they affect that?
- Can I wash woollens and delicates with the balls?
- Why do there seem to be suds in my wash if the balls don’t contain any soap ?
- Do I need a 3rd ball?
1. When should I replace the pellets?
The pellets will never wear right down so replace them after approx 150 washes or 12 months whichever is the sooner. Slight variations could be the mineral content of your local water and the size of your washes. It is best to replace them completely and our newly introduced Refill Pellet Pack will totally refill 2 laundry balls.
2. How do I top the balls up with the refill pellets?
Using a teaspoon, gently prise off the little grommet either on the top of the ball or it will be under the foam ring. Ensure the grommet is securely pushed back into place.....or you know what will happen.
3. Can I wash nappies with them?
Yes the nappies will come up fresh and soft. There is no chemical residue to irritate baby’s skin and attack the fibres of the fabrics. Pre treat the nappies in your usual way and then wash with the Simply Laundry Balls. A cup of white vinegar or a tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used as an extra disinfectant.
4. I miss the smell of my laundry products. The balls only have a mild fragrance. Can I add something to them?
Yes the pellets are only lightly fragranced with lemon or lavender oil so as to be hypo allergenic. If you prefer a stronger smell just add some essential oils, fragrant oils or even left over perfume to the pellets. Remove the blue top off the balls with a teaspoon, drip the fragrance onto the pellets and swirl them around. Replace the top and let the pellets dry outside the machine for at least 12 hours. You can add as much or as little as you desire but the average would be about 5 to 10 drops per ball.
5. Can I use laundry products with the balls?
Whitening powders, nappy soakers and antibacterial solutions will work well with the laundry balls. They can be used as a pre wash soak or directly in the wash with the balls. The only thing that isn't compatible is fabric softener. It will cover the pellets in a layer of waxy build up and prevent them from releasing the minerals into the water.
6. I haven't got time to be watching over my machine to turn the rinse cycle off.
The water saving option is there for those that really want or need it. If you don't then just let the machine go through it's normal cycle as usual.
Its absolutely fine if you can’t be there to stop your rinse cycles. The clothes will just get another quick cold wash through the rinse cycle. The balls will be quite happy throughout the rinse and spin cycles. Our recommendation of 150 washloads per set of balls allows for the fact they will go through a rinse cycle.
7. But if you do really do want to save water .....
Hardly any machine manufacturers have allowed for a rinse free cycle. (Hopefully they'll catch up !!) If you really want to enjoy the water savings without the hassle, try some of the following ideas from people who have tried and tested them with success with different machines.
1. Leaving the lid up on some top loaders stops it from spinning until you are ready.
2. Many models have a wash and hold cycle you can use.
3. Lots of machines also have an Eco Rinse cycle which gives the clothes one spray rinse only. Check your manual online.
4. Set your front loader to the minimum number of rinse cycles to cut water consumption.
5. Find out how long it takes for a full load to fill and wash in your top loader. From then on use a timer, the microwave or even your mobile phone to set an alarm to go off to remind you to pop back into the laundry and fast forward your machine to spin. Its very popular and effective. You'll easily cut 15 to 20 minutes off the full cycle time with this one as well as save a whole machine load of water.
8. I’ve heard that you can re use the washing water?
Absolutely. The worm friendly grey water can be safely used to water your garden and lawn or even to wash your car. Great for those water restricted areas in summer.
9. One of the plastic balls has cracked and broken so the pellets are spilling out. How can I fix this.
The balls carry our 12 month warranty against breakages and damage. So contact us to arrange for a free replacement. Keep them out of direct sunlight and watch the spin cycle speed.
10. Will my whites stay white?
Yes your whites will still be clean. The pellets don’t have any optical brighteners or harsh bleaches in them, which are the nasty chemicals all eco laundry products don’t have in them.
Optical brighteners make your whites look whiter and brighter but they are the main cause of laundry powder allergies and don’t make the clothes any cleaner. The harsh bleaches can fade your colours and blacks.
So we recommend using an eco oxy bleach powder with your white washes. We have one called Simply Whiter, which does a great job, while still being eco friendly.
You don’t need to use bleach powder in every wash. And the occasional hot wash will work wonders as well.
11. We have a septic tank so how would they affect that?
They are ideal for septic tanks. As the pellets don’t have any strong chemicals in them the pH level is kind to septic tanks. There is no added anti bacterial chemicals, enzymes, or phosphates which can "kill" a tank very quickly. The wash grey water is even safe for use in wormarator septic systems.
12. Can I wash woollens and delicates with the balls?
They very effectively and gently wash all woollens and make them lovely and soft. There is no soap entering the wool fibres to injure them and break them down. As you’ve seen there is a lot of rinsing needed with the special wool washes on the market, but nothing at all with the balls. Use lukewarm water and care when washing both woollens and delicates such as silk.
13. Why do there seem to be suds in my wash if the balls don’t contain any soap ?
Scary but true.....any suds showing in your wash for the first week or two of using the balls is laundry powder residue coming out of the fabrics! Towels, linens and cottons will especially release a lot of residue and you will find them becoming softer with every wash as they lose the leftover product in them.
One ball washes approximately 4 kilos of washing, so that’s why they come as a set of two, as most washing machines are between 6 and 8 kilos. We recommend a 3rd ball if your machine is 8 kilos and over.
If you have any questions you want answered just let us know