detergent dispensing balls

[Cybrvanr]

I remember a while ago, a dispenser that floated on the surface of the wash water while the washing machine was running. To use the dispenser, one would put the detergent into the little ball, and then throw it into the washer after loading it with clothes, while it was filling with water. The ball dispenser would then meter out the detergent during the wash part of the cycle, and then ride out the rest of the cycle.

I can't remember if these little gadgets were used for bleach, fabric softener, or the primary detergent. I haven't seen anyone using these things for years. Does anyone remember these?

 

[veg-o-matic]

I've used something similar--a Downy Ball. It has a weight inside that opens up the top during the spin between wash and rinse fill.

The only thing I've seen close to that for detergent was the Tide Kick. It was really nothing more than a measuring cup for liquid Tide with a roll-on deodorant ball for pretreating stains. Not sure if they make 'em any more, but they still make the Downy balls.

veg

 

[agiflow]

I was going to use a Downey ball with my previous washer, but i always had the feeling the thing would either open up during the wash phase or during neutral drain...( what a stained mess that would be).

I just never really trusted those things. Now i have a fabric dispenser on the current machine....and that will every now and then go into a spin drain....so i guess it is one of the more reasonable chances one takes in life < eyes rolling > Either way, you can only hope for the best.

 

[petek]

Weren't the lids on the Downy balls magnetic so they'd stick to the tub during the spin forcing the ball to unlatch?

 

[toggleswitch]

oh, I thought it was the substantial and heavy plunger attached to the lid that got pulled towards the spinning tub due to cetrifugal force, which pulled the lid into the dispenser therby opening it.

But hey what do I know? wink

 

[laundromat]

Tide roller ball

You're probably thinking of the Tide Roller Ball.It is a plastic,oval shaped device that holds about 1 cup of liquid detergent and has a ball like one on a roll on deoderant bottle to pretreat stains.You do your pretreating by tilting the ball onto the stain and rolling it back and forth to rub the detergent onto the stain then load your laundry into the washer and place the ball on top.once the machine begins tumbling or agitating,the liquid detergent automatically dispenses and is spun out during the pre rinse and final spins.I found them @ WallMart for $1 each and have seen them sincein different grocery stores i.e.Albertsons.They do work great and hold up well.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Persil Dispensing Container:

I've got a Persil Liquid Dispensing Container, that is a little thinner Plastic from the Downey ones and it doesn't have any closure, it has just an opening about the size of a Silver Dollar. As long as I place it on top of the Launday items and keep the opening on top of the Container, it seems to work quite well.

I got it from one of the UK Guys quite some time ago, when I first had some Persil Liquid given to me. I'm not totally sure if I'm as convenced with the cleaning of Persil, over other Brands of Liquid Laundry Detergents, but it is all right.

Peace and Happy Detergent Container Dispensing Fun, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

P.S. Noticed that at least I was able to keep my Thread Posting "Clean" and not making it sound like it was getting suggestive like so many others were attempting to do before, especially with this being a Public Forum Site and with so many younger people joining and reading these Thread Postings.

 

[roto204]

Tee hee

I liked the idea of the little ball floating serenely on the surface, dispensing detergent to the eager clothes below.

I bet that'd work in a Maytag.

I just had this vision of my 1-18 grabbing the little floater, and ten seconds later, little pieces of crunched plastic floating to the surface.

I mean, we're talking about a machine that likes to eat its own lint filter, for gosh sakes...

LOL