First a few words about what wash balls actually are. I am sure some of you have heard of the new eco washing thing that can clean your clothes and do your laundry without the use of detergent. Wash balls are special balls that u put inside your washing machine together with your clothes and the virtually eliminate the need for washing detergent. Or at least cut it by 80%. How do the work, or better do they work at all?

In this article I will explain how wash balls work and how do they clean your clothes without any detergent. Well, at least how the wash ball manufacturers claim they work. I have been using them for a while and I must say I am quite satisfied. But I do add a little bit of washing powder just for the smell.

So what is the basic principle behind wash balls?

First, wash balls need to be “charged” by the sun. You need to put them in the sun for a few hours once every month. Every ball contains small ceramic pellets. By exposing them to the sun you increase the energy in the chemical pellets in the ball.

These pellets inside the ball emit infra red rays that break water molecule’s hydrogen combination into smaller water cluster and activate the small water cluster. This increases the molecular motion of the water, water easily penetrates the fibers and the washing power of the water itself is increased.

Besides that wash balls also soften your clothes. They do that by producing negative ions. These ions make the fibers softer and dirt can come out from softer fibers faster than from the hard ones. All this without the use of detergent.

Wash ball also eliminates the chlorine from the water. This helps save the clothes (colors and elasticity). By doing this it softens the water and soft water has lower surface tension and is better for any kind of washing.

Balls also keep the water at the same pH spectrum that normal detergent has, so it can remove oils and dirt.

These were the basic principles of how wash balls work and how do they replace washing detergents. Since I am not that good at physics I can not tell you if this is theoretically and practically possible. But as I said I am using washing balls for some time now and they seem to work. You can also find quite a few comments from people that say they are just a fraud. I think it is best to decide for your self.

Jenny writes on a small blog about these wash balls where she gives you more info about them – like how do wash balls work and where you can find reviews of the balls – do they work or not.