I use the washing ball for more than 18 months; at first I added some laundry, but for more than six months I do not put the ball in my machine .I rubbed stains and shirt collars, (but I also did it before when I put that lye, otherwise it is not true the laundry is never clear if one has not rubbed stains before, even with a big dose of laundry); and since I only use my ball machine is very clean, I'll even buy a 2nd becaufe a ball is for 4 kg laundry; I convinced everyone around me is happy too