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Date Submitted: 07/03/2013 09:51 AM
Laundry ball
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For the fabric softener product, see dispensing ball.
The Swedish "Magicball" is an example of a pseudoscientific washing ball product.
A laundry ball or washing ball is a product that is promoted as a substitute for laundry detergent. Producers of laundry balls usually make pseudoscientific claims about how these balls work and exaggerate the extent of their benefits.[1][2] The product is often sold in home shopping or by participants in multilevel marketing schemes.[1][3]
While many people report that these balls work, the results are similar to or less effective than washing in water without any detergent.[4][5] Most of the effect can be attributed to the mechanical effect of the ball or to using hot water instead of cold water.[4][6] The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against some of the manufacturers of these products because of their misleading claims.
Contents
1 Types of laundry ball
2 Benefits claimed by manufacturers
3 Possible dangers
4 Claimed mechanisms of action
4.1 Infrared
4.2 Magnetic properties
4.3 Changes to water structure
4.4 Special detergent
5 Consumer protection
6 Selling channels
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Types of laundry ball
These unbranded laundry balls were found to have nothing inside when cut open.
There are several shapes of laundry balls: laundry disks, globes, spheres or doughnuts.[3][7] Some of the balls carry components inside, like ceramic pieces, magnetic material or coloured liquid that is claimed to be "activated water".[3][7] Manufacturers claim that these components have certain effects on washing efficacy, although studies don't show any difference between the different types of balls.[7] Some balls can be refilled with pellets of special detergent, or other ingredients.[8][9]
Benefits claimed by manufacturers
Laundry...