Frequently Asked Questions: Laundry Magnets
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about washing magnets here. These are updated from time to time. All answers are based on information from the manufacturer’s knowledge base, supplemented by our own experience.
Usage
I’ve heard of “laundry balls” before. Isn’t this the same thing?
The MLS Laundry Magnets (washing without detergent) are completely different from anything you’ve ever seen or heard of before. They aren’t even really referred to as laundry balls, because this is such a unique process and technology. This is a twice-patented technology based on utilising permanent magnetic force to support the washing process. Most “laundry ball” products are usually small chemical pellets contained within a ventilated, round plastic sphere. These chemical pellets run out after a number of washes and then need to be refilled. From an environmental point of view, it is still slightly better than washing powder, but the process remains chemical (similar to washing powders) and is therefore completely different from the MLS Washing Magnets.
I have a newer front-loading washing machine with electronic controls. Can I use the MLS Washing Magnets in my washing machine?
Absolutely. We simply recommend that, if you have a front-loading washing machine, you place the MLS Laundry Magnets in a pair of socks or trouser pockets before starting the wash cycle. This eliminates any noise that the force of the horizontal axis might cause. And whilst magnetic force should not come into direct contact with electronics, the magnets are used inside the drum and are positioned far enough away that, when used correctly, they will not affect the electronic controls. Just make sure they do not rest on the electronic control panel. Furthermore, the two magnets together weigh only a fraction of a pair of wet jeans. So you needn’t worry about any significant extra weight.
Sometimes the MLS laundry magnets stick together after I’ve run a wash cycle. Is this normal, or am I doing something wrong?
This isn’t a problem and doesn’t affect their cleaning power. If you want to keep them separate, you could, for example, put them in different trouser pockets (which you’ll be washing) to keep them apart.
What temperature should the water be? Can I use hot, warm and cold water as I see fit?
Generally speaking, warmer water always ensures the cleanest clothes, whether you use MLS Washing Magnets or washing powder. Just think about when you’re washing up in the sink. Cold water will clean off stuck-on food, but hot water will remove it more quickly and efficiently, using less water. It’s exactly the same in your washing machine.
However, for certain items of clothing and fabrics, you may need to use lower temperatures, and you can simply continue to do so. Many customers report excellent results by using only cold water with the MLS Laundry Magnets. For the reason outlined above, we still recommend that users use warm water, but ultimately you are free to test the product in different ways and choose the option that best suits your personal situation.
Using cold water is clearly better for the environment (lower energy consumption), but bear in mind that the astonishing health and environmental benefits of preventing petrochemical detergents from entering the water supply and coming into contact with our skin are of far greater importance. Nevertheless, the MLS Laundry Magnets leave virtually no ecological footprint when used with cold water.
Can I use bleach and/or other chemicals alongside MLS laundry magnets if I wish?
Yes. To be honest, nothing makes things as white as chlorine bleach, but there are few chemicals that are more toxic to the environment and to health. Bleach is very harsh and can also damage your clothes. That said, if you’re not put off by these considerations, you can still use diluted bleach with the MLS Laundry Magnets (washing without detergent) if you wish. A good alternative to chlorine bleach is oxygen bleach. Borax is also an excellent natural laundry booster. Some users of the MLS Laundry Magnets add bicarbonate of soda or white vinegar to their wash.
Do MLS laundry magnets replace traditional laundry additives such as bleach and stain pre-treatments?
MLS laundry magnets are simply an alternative to washing powder. Just as with washing powder, separate products used for other purposes must be used on their own. These include stain removers and bleaches. These are used separately from the MLS Laundry Magnets, just as they are used separately from washing powder.
My washing machine has a plastic drum. Do the MLS Washing Magnets (for washing without detergent) need to stick to the inside of the drum to work properly?
The MLS Washing Magnets (washing without detergent) do not need to “stick” to the washing drum at all to work properly. There is a wide variety of washing machines, from front-loading to top-loading models, and inner drums made from materials ranging from plastic to iron and stainless steel. The material the drum is made of doesn’t matter; the MLS Laundry Magnets (detergent-free washing) work in all of them. The magnets may “stick” together during the wash cycle. This is perfectly normal and will not reduce their effectiveness, as they still emit the same level of magnetic force, whether they are attracted to one another or not. The laundry magnets simply need to be submerged and/or placed close to the water for maximum effectiveness.
Benefits
I just don’t understand how you can wash clothes without soap. Could you please explain this to me? It just doesn’t make any sense.
First of all, you need to know that you don’t wash your clothes with soap – and you’ve probably never done so in your life. Detergents are not soap. They are petrochemicals derived from crude oil. Water is the universal solvent. Water is what ultimately cleans your clothes, whether you use detergents or MLS Laundry Magnets. All these products help water to clean more effectively. MLS Laundry Magnets do so on a chemical-free, fully renewable magnetic basis, whilst detergents rely on non-renewable petrochemicals. Magnetic force is one of the most powerful forces of nature on Earth. In fact, the Earth itself is a giant magnet with a north and south pole. It is a tremendous source of natural energy. Even the weak magnets on your fridge defy gravity without batteries or being connected to a power source. MLS Laundry Magnets simply harness that amazing power and concentrate it in your washing machine at home to influence the water. At the atomic level, everything is affected by magnetism. All you need to do is try it for yourself and see the results with your own eyes. So yes, you can do your washing without detergent!
What benefits can I expect from the MLS Wasmagneten?
There are many benefits. The most important thing is that if you or your family suffer from washing powder-related symptoms, such as skin problems and/or breathing difficulties, you owe it to your health to switch to a non-chemical alternative.
From a financial point of view, you should be able to save hundreds of euros a year on washing powder. You could save even more if you skip the rinse cycle, as it is no longer necessary (which would also save 20 to 40 litres of water per wash, which is good for the environment).
You’ll save time, reduce the effort involved in doing your laundry and avoid having to lug black bottles or packs of washing powder home from the shop every time. Your wardrobe (which is a considerable investment) can last much longer thanks to the reduction in harsh chemicals. It makes your home “greener” and also more child-friendly by reducing the amount of toxins in your home.
It can have a huge impact on the environment by reducing the use of chemicals and our reliance on imported petrochemicals (Yes, detergents are petrochemicals derived from crude oil).
Etc., etc.
Scent and clothing
Can the MLS Laundry Magnets (washing without detergent) get my clothes as clean and bright as detergents do?
That depends on your definition of “clean” and “bright”. When comparing the use of MLS Laundry Magnets (washing without detergent) with detergent, there are a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, detergents are not soap. They are chemical surfactants derived directly from crude oil, and these chemicals are designed so that they are not completely rinsed out after washing your clothes. They leave behind so-called “optical brighteners” – synthetic chemicals that reflect more light off the clothes to make them look “brighter” to the eye. We do not believe that adding what are essentially chemical mirrors to a garment makes it any cleaner. These synthetic chemicals convert UV light wavelengths into visible light, making washed clothes look whiter (although this has no effect on the cleanliness of the clothes). They have been found to be toxic to fish and to cause bacterial mutations. Furthermore, they can cause allergic reactions when they come into contact with skin that is subsequently exposed to sunlight.
As these chemicals have the potential to cause health problems and may lead to environmental issues, we believe that their presence on clothing seriously compromises its cleanliness. Most people are not even aware that potentially harmful petrochemicals derived from crude oil are constantly present on their clothing, which may cause skin and respiratory problems for the wearer. We define ‘clean’ as free from chemicals, harmless to the wearer and non-toxic to the environment, as well as being visually acceptable. But only you, the user of the product, can determine that. We feel that there are many people, just like us, who do not want to walk around all day with petrochemicals and optical brighteners in their clothes.
What about scent? Will my clothes take on a lovely, perfumed scent with the MLS Laundry Magnets?
No fragrance is added when using the MLS Laundry Magnets. The truth is that clean clothes don’t smell of anything. They don’t smell of perfume. And most people go way overboard with these scents. They use washing powders, stain removers and bleach containing perfumes in their washing machine. Then they use fabric softeners and/or tumble dryer sheets in the tumble dryer, which add even more perfumes. They also wash their bodies with perfumed soap and shampoo and dry off with their perfumed towel (after having slept all night in perfumed sheets and pillowcases). They then apply perfumed deodorant and spray on their favourite perfume. This is simply too many chemicals on the body, and sometimes the body rebels with skin rashes, breathing difficulties or illness.
If you absolutely cannot live without a bit of fragrance on your clothes, just use one scented tumble dryer sheet. There’s simply no reason to pile all those other scented chemicals onto your clothes. And you should be aware that most of them are very harmful to your skin and respiratory system, so the less you use, the better off you’ll be. Some symptoms, such as red eyes, rashes and runny noses, aren’t caused by allergies, but by the perfume and petrochemicals left behind on your clothes.
Do MLS laundry magnets kill bacteria and other microorganisms on clothes?
Once again, MLS Laundry Magnets are merely an alternative to washing powder. Washing powder is not used to kill micro-organisms, and neither are MLS Laundry Magnets. The washing process itself rinses away most bacteria. However, hot water will kill most microorganisms in the water, and a little bleach will do the same (although bleach works best at high temperatures, so that’s a bit of a waste).
* A highly effective natural alternative: Numerous studies show that a pure 5 per cent solution of vinegar (such as that available in supermarkets) kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of fungi and 80% of pathogens (viruses).
Costs
Will the cost of washing powder rise if the price of crude oil rises?
This seems to be a certainty. Detergents are chemical surfactants derived from crude oil. With one exception, the basic building blocks of surfactants are all derived from crude oil. Unless detergent manufacturers choose to reduce their profit margins to keep the cost of detergent low, you will pay more and more for detergent, just as you pay more and more to fill up your car with fuel. As the cost of raw materials for detergent rises, so too do the costs for end users. Furthermore, their plastic containers (which are made from just 25% recycled plastic) are made from petrochemicals, and shipping these bulky and heavy bottles costs more due to record-high fuel prices. These additional costs are ultimately passed on to the end user as well.
How long do the MLS laundry magnets (for washing without detergent) last?
The MLS Laundry Magnets (washing without detergent) have been designed and developed to last for decades and save you thousands of euros, as you will no longer need to buy detergent. Over the years, you’ll also prevent thousands of kilos of chemicals from entering our water supply and stop your clothes from being saturated with perfume. This also has a positive effect on your health and that of your family.
Environment
What are the health and environmental concerns associated with using optical brighteners in my laundry?
Optical brighteners are only effective if they remain on the fabric after washing, meaning they are constantly inhaled and come into contact with and are absorbed by your skin. Clothes washed in detergents containing these agents leave a potentially harmful chemical residue on the fabric. Skin rashes often attributed to fragrances and colourants are frequently caused by optical brighteners; therefore, optical brighteners should not be used by people with sensitive skin.
Optical brighteners contain chemicals that can be toxic to fish, other animals and plants. Many have also been shown to cause mutations in bacteria (seventhgeneration.com). Furthermore, these chemicals are not readily biodegradable, meaning the pollution remains in the wastewater for a long time, which has a negative impact on water quality and on the lives of animals and plants. So, when you’re at the supermarket, you might want to avoid comments such as: “Brings out the colours! Whiter white!”, given the concerns about what you’re actually getting.
What impact do MLS laundry magnets (washing without detergent) have on the environment?
The most obvious and important fact is that using MLS Laundry Magnets, rather than detergents, prevents petrochemicals from being discharged into our water supply. This helps to preserve our most valuable natural resource (water), which is crucial to human survival. Less than 1% of the world’s water supply is considered drinkable, and preserving the quality of this irreplaceable resource is of the utmost importance for the survival of humans, animals and plants. Furthermore, bypassing the rinse cycle can save a huge amount of additional water (20–40 litres per wash), electricity (mainly generated by burning coal and oil, which are major polluters), natural gas (for heating the extra water) and sewage treatment. It may also help to reduce the causes of global warming – given that such a vast quantity of detergents is produced and used worldwide, considerable resources (fossil fuels) are consumed in their production and distribution.
Test reports
Are there any test reports for the MLS Wasmagneten?
As well as having many satisfied customers worldwide, MLS Wasmagneten were tested by an independent laboratory right from the very start. Click below to view one of the independent laboratory test reports from one of the world’s largest testing organisations:
It confirms that the MLS Wasmagneten do indeed clean garments and do not damage the colours or the tensile strength of your clothes. The technology behind the MLS Wasmagneten is also protected by two patents.