Magnetic ball for washing machine

There are countless washing machine accessories, all of which, as advertised, improve washing, making it efficient and economical. Housewives buy all sorts of things to make washing easier. Take, for example, a magnetic ball designed to remove limescale. But is it really that good? Let's find out.

Advantages and disadvantages

A magnetic ball is a plastic or rubber ball with magnets inside. These magnets soften water by causing the insoluble salt molecules to move randomly, changing shape. This is why magnetic balls have several advantages, which we'll list below:

• water penetrates the fabric fibers more easily, which helps wash things;
• the balls have a long service life, at least 10 years, nothing happens to them even after 20 years;
• the ball with a magnet is quite heavy, and therefore, when rotating in the drum, it knocks dirt out of the laundry;
• Magnetic balls allow you to save on washing powder and fabric softeners;
• The balls do not affect human health.

The benefits of such an accessory are impressive, but whether this is actually true remains to be seen. But the main disadvantage of the magnetic ball is the noise that occurs during the washing process as a result of it beating against the washing machine drum. If you put not one ball, but several, the knock will be impressive.

The second drawback is that magnetic balls are not suitable for washing down jackets and bulky coats. While they can be washed, the effect is minimal.

Instructions for use

Since the balls don't damage the washing machine drum, they can be safely used for automatic washing. However, there are some nuances related to the characteristics of the fabrics. The number of balls you add to the drum will depend on the type of laundry you plan to wash. This also depends on the size of the balls themselves, which can vary.

• When washing cotton items, you can use 12 balls from the package, provided they are small.
• When washing delicate fabrics, such as velour, 6 balls will be enough.
• For washing woolen items, 4 balls are enough.

Important! When washing with washing machine balls, only add half the recommended amount of detergent.

You can wash with balls on almost any setting. They can be used when washing in cold water, but for the "Boil" mode or when heating water to 80 degrees and above, they should not be placed in the machine drum.

Magnetic Ball Review

Who makes these balls and where to buy them will be discussed in this section. Here are some popular magnetic balls:

The Aquamag ball is a Chinese-made ball designed to combat limescale buildup during laundry and soften water. Weighing approximately 900 grams, one is sufficient. The ball's body is made of plastic. In addition to its basic properties, it is hypoallergenic, suitable for washing children's clothes, disinfects laundry and eliminates unpleasant odors. To enhance the washing effect, you can pre-soak the clothes in water with a small amount of powder and a ball for half an hour, and then place them in the washing machine drum.

"White Cat" balls from TECHNOTRADE are made in Germany and sold in packs of 12. Each ball has a rubber shell with a magnet inside. These balls have an unlimited lifespan. They not only help remove limescale from your machine but also mechanically dislodge dirt from your clothes. Using just one ball eliminates the need for water softener. As you can see, the manufacturer makes a lot of claims, but whether these balls actually live up to their promises is unclear, especially considering they cost around $46.

Please note: You can purchase a magnetic ball at a large household goods store or order it online.

The Eco Life ball is a washing machine ball designed to protect against limescale. It's made in Austria. The manufacturer only provides a five-year warranty, although it can be used for much longer. The ball not only removes limescale but also saves up to 30% on detergent and 20% on energy. It costs about $4.

The fabric softener ball is a magnetic ball with a plastic body, available in three colors. It can be used not only for washing clothes in the washing machine but also for washing dishes in the dishwasher. The ball is environmentally friendly and softens water. Its diameter is 6 cm and it can be placed in water no hotter than 60 degrees. The cost is about $1.50.

As Seen on TV Balls – two magnetic balls to prevent scale buildup in your washing machine. Costs about $10.

Reviews

Magnetic balls were all the rage back in the 1990s, but today, such washing machine accessories are rarely purchased. Firstly, it's harder to deceive modern consumers, and secondly, a ton of reviews about these balls and spheres have appeared online. Here are some of the ones we found.

American, Kherson

I've been using White Cat balls for three years now and haven't found any advantages. They're small, about 4 cm in diameter and weigh 35 grams. Long-term use has shown that they were a waste of money, and quite a bit at that. Furthermore, the claim of removing limescale is complete nonsense. A burnt-out heating element confirmed this. I also didn't notice any improvement in washing quality. Overall, if you really want to get rid of limescale, use them. citric acid, and to ensure your laundry is rinsed better, don’t forget about the extra rinse function.

ZhulikYS, Lipetsk

I bought a new product in the world of household cleaning products, White Cat magnetic balls, after the seller raved about them. After using them for a long time, I noticed only a slight improvement in washing quality; stubborn stains still remain. Since using the balls, I've been using slightly less fabric softener, but my laundry feels soft and pleasant to the touch. I can't comment on their effectiveness in removing limescale, but I tested them on the limescale in my toilet bowl. After a week, nothing has changed; the limescale remains. The downside of the balls is that they bang against the drum, although this doesn't harm the machine since they're made of rubber. They also tend to get stuck in the duvet cover. Conclusion: it’s better to buy regular cheap laundry balls, the effect will be the same.

shenia, Minsk

After seeing an ad, I bought a miracle gadget—a green Eco Life magnetic ball—but I never saw the magic. As the manufacturer recommends in the instructions, I stopped adding water softener, reduced the amount of detergent, and didn't add fabric softener. The laundry does come out well-washed and soft. But even without the ball, it's absolutely the same; I've repeated the experiment several times. However, I still put the ball in the machine, because it's a waste of money. But it's not worth it.

Greenline, Ufa

Through a group purchase, I bought an Eco Life magnetic ball for $3.80, which I called a "miracle ball." That's because the manufacturer claims a ton of benefits. It removes limescale, saves detergent, eliminates the need for rinse aid, and can be used in both the washing machine and dishwasher. I can't yet say how well the ball works; I haven't tested it in my washing machine because it's broken, but a friend's machine started producing white-gray pebbles after washing. Apparently, this is the result of the ball. I think it's effective, and it's inexpensive.

As you can see, magnetic balls come in a variety of sizes. Most users find this accessory unnecessary and a waste of money. Some people really liked this ball. We're not discouraging you from buying one; if you want to try it, go ahead. Happy washing!

   

Readers' comments