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Is the SmartKlean Laundry Ball hypoallergenic?
Yes, it is 100% hypoallergenic. The use of SmartKlean reduces the risk of skin allergies, because you are washing without any allergens and it leaves zero residue behind on your clothes.
Is the SmartKlean Laundry Ball safe enough to wash my children's clothes?
Absolutely! It is designed to leave no residues behind on clothes, therefore it is GREAT for infants, children and people with chemical sensitivities, asthma and allergies. It will help reduce toxins and chemicals around your children and pets at home.
How is it that the SmartKlean Laundry Ball gets clothes clean if it does not produce any foam or suds? I just don’t get how it can clean clothes without soaps.
First of all, you need to know that with detergent you are not washing your clothes with soap, and you probably never have in your lifetime. Detergents are not soap. They are mostly petrochemicals derived from crude oil. Water is the universal solvent. Water is what ultimately cleans your clothes. All detergents do is help water clean better. The SmartKlean Laundry Ball is placed among the laundry in the washing machine. The ball is filled with small ceramic pellets. When these pellets come into contact with water, they interact with the water molecules and change their molecular structure, raise the PH level of the water, and essentially help the water clean your clothes just like a detergent. Both the laundry ball and detergents work to reduce the surface tension of the water and surround the dirt and lift it from the fibers. The difference is that SmartKlean works physically instead of chemically.
Does the SmartKlean Laundry Ball keep white laundry white?
SmartKlean will clean your whites, but it uses no optical brighteners, bleach or other whitening agents. If having brilliant white laundry is important to you, we recommend the use of whitening aids with the laundry ball. You can find an article on our blog that provides many natural alternatives for bleach (which is very toxic): Read how to whiten laundry without bleach.
Can the SmartKlean Laundry Ball be used with laundry detergents?
This is not necessary, but yes it can. This will not affect the laundry ball.
How long will the SmartKlean laundry ball last?
The SmartKlean laundry ball will last about 365 washes. For the average American, this can last from 1-3 years. View our lifespan chart (PDF) which shows the lifespan of our product according to different wash schedules.
Does the SmartKlean Laundry Ball work with hard water?
For hard water conditions, softening aids are recommended. Borax is a great water conditioner. Just add a 1/2 cup of borax per full load. Baking soda or washing soda may also be used. These products can be found in the detergent aisles throughout most grocery stores. These simple ingredients are inexpensive and can be used for multiple purposes in the home. For more information, read our article on using borax for hard water with the SmartKlean Laundry Ball.
Use
How do I use my SmartKlean Laundry Ball?
See how to use.
Is the laundry ball suitable for heavily soiled laundry?
The laundry ball works great for everyday dirt, odor and grime. However, just as detergents, the laundry ball will not remove stubborn dried stains such as blood or sauce stains. For heavily soiled laundry, we recommend reducing the amount of laundry in the washer to allow it to agitate freely, and the use of a stain remover if necessary. See our non-toxic stain remover guide.
I don’t see any suds! Is my SmartKlean laundry ball working?
Yes! Your laundry ball is still cleaning even though you don’t see any suds. The amount of suds in your washer has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the laundry ball. In fact, most commercial laundry soaps contain ingredients to produce fake suds to fool you into believing their products work better.
What happens if I forget to stop the washing machine before the spin and rinse cycle?
The SmartKlean laundry ball is designed to be safe inside the washer throughout all cycles.
Can the laundry ball be used to hand wash?
Yes, the clothes will need to be soaked together with the ball for 15-30 minutes and then afterwards, slightly agitate / stir the clothes for 10-15 more minutes.
Can I use hot water to wash with the SmartKlean Laundry ball?
No, hot water is unnecessary and we do not recommend the use of hot water with the laundry ball because it may reduce the life of the active ceramic components.
Can the SmartKlean laundry ball be used for delicate fabrics?
Yes, in most cases. You can use it for delicate fabrics such as silk and wool although some will prefer to hand wash these fabrics with our laundry ball just to be safe.
Can the SmartKlean Laundry Ball be used on cloth diapers?
Yes. Many of our customers say it works great on cloth diapers! In a review by the Soft Landing Baby blog, the author states that the SmartKlean Laundry Ball “works great, even on soiled cloth diapers! With the addition of fine sea salt and vinegar, load after load of dirty cloth diapers came out clean.”
Note: There are some diaper brands that recommend against using extra additives in your wash (like baking soda or vinegar). These ingredients are unnecessary and may cause problems with your diapers. By washing cloth diapers with the SmartKlean Laundry Ball alone, there may be a light staining on the diapers; probably similar to what a coffee stain might look like after being washed. However, this mom states that she found slightly less staining with the laundry ball than she has with detergent. Hanging them to dry in the sun will usually take the staining out.
If detergent or soap is added to the wash, will it damage the ball or the ceramic beads, or make it any less effective?
It is unnecessary. However, whenever you use any laundry-cleaning product with the laundry ball, it increases the activity and function of these products. We recommend safe and eco-friendly products if you would like to use detergent in conjunction with the laundry ball.
If bleach is added to the washer together with the ball, will it damage the ball or the ceramic beads, or make it any less effective?
Whenever you use any laundry-cleaning product with the laundry ball, it increases the activity and function of these products. However we don't recommend the use of common bleach because of its damage to your health, clothes and to the planet. We do suggest the use of any ecological laundry bleach (non-chlorine, which consist of 100% percarbonate and is composed of salt, limestone and oxygenated water.) This can be found at most health stores. You can also use lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide as a mild whitener for your fabrics (to keep whites white). For clothes that are already dingy, view this article on how to whiten laundry without bleach.
Is it advisable to use the SmartKlean laundry ball with a fabric softener?
This is not necessary. The laundry ball contains components and ingredients that will naturally expand the fibers of the fabrics. Also, because of the shape of the laundry ball and its movement in the drum, fabrics will retain their softness and elasticity.
My washing machine smells strange, as does my laundry – why is that?
If you have hard water, the laundry ball may need a booster such as borax. See hard water question above. If you do not have hard water, it may be the cause of old detergent residues: Before you started using the SmartKlean laundry ball, you probably used detergent. Soap residues have stuck to the soap dispenser and to the inside of the pipes in your washing machine, causing them to clog up slowly and cause mold. This may be the cause of the unpleasant smell. The smell of your detergent disguised this. To clean out your washing machine, we recommend that you do a 90-degree wash with an empty drum, putting two cupfuls of white organic vinegar in the soap dispenser. White organic vinegar is good for cleaning and removing soap residue deposits. Organic vinegar is antibacterial and does not foam in your machine. If you do this regularly, your machine remains in top condition and odor-free. If the unpleasant smell persists, please check the drains and pipes at the back of your machine to make sure that they are not blocked.
Some of my laundry is coming out with dark or black stains – why is that?
Before you started using the SmartKlean laundry ball, you probably used detergent. Soap residues have stuck to the soap dispenser and to the inside of the pipes in your washing machine, causing them to clog up slowly and cause mold. Mold is then accumulated in different areas, but particularly the rubber seal on the door (typically HE front loaders). What happens with the laundry ball is that since it's not using stain-removing ingredients that are used in detergents, the mold ends up on the fabrics and stays there. The laundry ball is designed to clean day-to-day laundry, not mold stains.
So, first, if you have an HE front loader, investigate the rubber seal with a flash light, and wipe a paper towel over the inside of the rubber seal to see if the mold is accumulated there. After doing so, we recommend you clean out your washing machine by putting two cupfuls of white organic vinegar in the soap dispenser. This will help out in removing soap residue deposits. Organic vinegar is antibacterial and does not foam in your machine. If you do this regularly, your machine remains in top condition and mold-free. This is not caused by our laundry ball. In fact, many people experience this problem with detergent.
How do I know when the laundry ball is no longer usable?
There will be two indications. 1. The laundry will become less clean. The efficacy of washing decreases due to the deterioration of the ceramics within the laundry ball after about 365-400 washes. 2. Once the ceramics begin to wear off and reduce in size these tiny grains will eventually fall into the perforations of the enclosure of the laundry ball. This indicate that the life of the ball is close to done and it is time to change to a new one.
Result
What about smell? What can I do if I miss the smell of the detergent?
Your laundry will smell neutral. Some people are used to the smell of washing powder, the so-called fresh-chemical laundry smell of roses or jasmine. Other people do not like this smell or are allergic to soap, and use a fragrance-free detergent. You can fragrance your laundry afterwards in a variety of ways, for example by adding a few drops of essential oils to your wash.
Adding essential oils to the dry cycle will keep the scent of essential oils in the fabrics longer. Put 15-20 drops on a piece of cloth and throw it in the dryer with the laundry on the last 10 minutes of drying and use a low heat setting.
Note: Once the washing is done, it is important to immediately move the load into the dryer. Leaving clothes damp in the washer will cause a bad odor on the clothing and will not be disguised by chemical fragrances.
Can the SmartKlean Laundry ball damage my clothing?
No, certainly not. The laundry ball’s exterior is designed to be gentle with clothing and the movement in the drum will only agitate the dirt off your clothing. In fact, the technology of the laundry ball is designed to prolong the lifespan of your clothing in comparison to detergents.
Will the Laundry Ball remove stains?
Neither the laundry ball nor detergent work to remove tough stains such as oil, wine or blood stains. For these types of stains, we recommend you pre-treat the spots with a natural stain remover with plant-based surfactants. For a more economical and ecological option, you can also choose to make your own home-made stain remover recipe with vinegar:
A Vinegar Based Stain Remover:
Keep this pretreatment solution on hand in the laundry room to use on virtually all tough clothing stains. Just combine:
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup baking soda
2 squirts liquid soap
2 quarts water
(Keep the solution in a clearly labeled spray bottle.)
Also, make sure to reduce the amount of clothes in the load to wash pre-treated clothes in order to allow them to circulate in washer more freely helping the laundry ball clean these items more efficiently.
For more non-toxic stain removal recipes, see our non-toxic stain remover guide.
Why does the fabric feel softer using the SmartKlean Laundry Ball?
It is due to the physical action of the active components inside the laundry ball that naturally cause the fibers expand. You can eliminate fabric softener off your shopping list!
Will my clothes retain their color with the SmartKlean laundry ball?
Since the SmartKlean laundry ball washes laundry in a physical fashion, not chemical, it achieves excellent results in terms of color protection.
Can the SmartKlean Laundry ball damage the drum?
SmartKlean can withstand long high-speed spin cycles and is definitely not harmful to your washing machine.
Is the laundry ball safe for septic systems?
Yes, it is 100% safe for septic systems. Unlike laundry detergents, they leave absolutely no residue.
Information
There are claims on the internet that laundry balls are a scam and either do not work, or do not wash really clean – is this true?
Some laundry balls are less effective, and sometimes ineffective. Not all laundry balls are created equal. There are some that even contain detergent and others even have inactive ‘imitation’ ceramic pellets. Numerous tests have shown that the SmartKlean laundry ball is a high quality product that washes just as effective or in some cases even better than detergent. Be wary of many articles on the internet ‘debunking’ alternative green products because many are created or paid by corporations that are experiencing declines in sales due to these kinds of products. See Wikipedia Warning!
This section answers frequently asked questions about the SmartKlean Laundry Ball. It is divided into four sections for ease of use: Action, Use, Results and Information.
Type CTRL+F to find a keyword. (Command + F for Mac users).
A search bar will appear on the top or bottom corners of your browser.
Are the ceramics replaceable?
No, the laundry ball is not designed to be opened simply for safety reasons. This will avoid any accidents inside of the washing machine as well as for children and infants. The laundry balls that allow you to replace the contents may run a high risk of opening inside of the washer and possibly ruining the machine. One must also consider that the shape and look of the product may attract children, infants and pets and if they can easily open these, they run a high risk of swallowing / choking on the contents within the laundry ball.
How come I’ve never heard of laundry balls? Wouldn’t I see them everywhere and all over retail stores?
You’d be surprised to learn that laundry balls have been widely used in Europe for almost two decades. It must be noted that there are many different types of laundry balls out in the market; some that work, some that don’t and for this reason there has been a great deal of skepticism and misinformation about this type of product. Many large retail franchises practice strict policies over the products they accept into their stores, particularly products that are not highly consumable / perishable. This is because they are not as profitable and can conflict with the sales of the big money-making, perishable products like detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
Does SmartKlean offer a product guarantee?
We do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Simply return it within 15 days of purchase and we'll gladly return your money (not including S+H).
How long will my SmartKlean Laundry Ball last?
The laundry ball is designed to live a life-span of a WHOLE YEAR if you wash 18 lbs.(8 kg) loads every day. If you don’t wash every day, it will last longer. If you have a larger capacity washing machine (capacity larger than 18 lb. / 8kg), two laundry balls are recommended. See lifespan and efficiency chart according to your wash schedule.
How large is the laundry ball?
The SmartKlean laundry ball is about the size of a softball or almost twice the size of a tennis ball.
I have a newer front-loading washing machine. Can I use the SmartKlean Laundry Ball with my machine?
The SmartKlean ball is compatible with ALL washing machines. It is safe for septic tanks.
Does the SmartKlean Laundry Ball need some kind of maintenance for it to keep being effective?
Yes, you may place it under the sun or beside a window for one hour or more once a month. This will regenerate the ceramic micro beads within it and preserve a long-lasting performance. See lifespan and efficiency chart to know the regenerative time cycle recommended according to your wash schedule. You may also leave it outside the washer until the next wash if you don’t have sun light to dry it in. Sunlight will only speed up the drying process.
What exactly happens when you put the laundry ball out in the sun to recharge? How do the ceramic beads recharge?
The ceramics need to be fully dried every 10-30 washes and sun drying is the best way to reduce the moisture content of the components. The sun will heat up the ceramics and also the surrounding air. This causes the humidity to fully evaporate from the ceramics, hence ‘regenerating’ them to work at their optimal function, such as the first time it was used.
Is there any part of the SmartKlean Laundry Ball that is harmful to the environment?
The ceramic pellets inside the laundry ball are not harmful to the environment. They leave no residue in the water and are completely biodegradable. The ball itself is made of thermoplastic elastomer, an environmentally-friendly produced and recyclable plastic-like rubber.
Does the plastic enclosure of the laundry ball contain BPA or PVC materials?
The enclosure is BPA, PVC and phthalate-free. This is one of the unique traits and competitive advantages our laundry ball has over many other laundry balls that use cheaper and toxic plastics.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is an environmentally friendly material that is not generally ranked in the pyramid of plastics, they are currently depicted as the third revolution of the rubber industry as TPE possesses not only the high elasticity property of vulcanized rubber, but also the good processing property of thermoplastics. Although the contact of the laundry ball to the skin will be very minimal, we'd like to mention that TPE has been proven safe for skin in the medical realm and even meets the sanitary requirements of the FDA on food-contacted materials. Latex-free.
Once the laundry ball is no longer usable, how can we dispose of it? Is it recyclable?
Both the ceramics and magnets contained inside of the laundry ball are natural and biodegradable. The enclosure of the laundry ball is made up of recyclable thermoplastic elastomer which is a number 7 plastic - please find a recycling program that accepts this type of plastic for recycling in your area. In the event where there is no recycling program that accepts #7 items, we accept returns so that we may ensure their proper disposal. Please ship to:
ATT: Recycle
SmartKlean
2093B NW 1st Place
Miami, Florida 33127
Not satisfied with your SmartKlean Laundry Ball?
We want you to be absolutely thrilled with your purchase. If you are not satisfied and would like a refund, you can return the laundry ball within two weeks of purchase in the original packaging.
Please contact us and we will immediately send you instructions on how to proceed with the refund process.
SmartKlean
is a certified
green business.