Microfiber Laundry Ball
Microfiber Laundry Ball
Inspired by the way coral filters the ocean, NatGeo Explorer Rachael Z. Miller invented the Cora Ball. This device not only reduces the amount of microfibers shed by clothing but also catches what is shed during the laundering process.
Microfibers wreak havoc in the environment in spite of their microscopic size. To give you a sense of how small microfibers are, many microfibers need to accumulate before reaching the size of a grain of salt (see photo).
Even though captured microfibers might not be visible to the naked eye, you can trust that the Cora Ball is making a difference. It reduces up to 31% of microfibers that would otherwise flow out of washing machines and into our environment.
- The results of research published in the peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment show the Cora Ball is effective at reducing 31% of the microfibers that would otherwise flow out of the washing machine after washing a load of laundry. This is an increase over the existing peer-reviewed study rate of 26% (McIllwraith, 2019).
This laundry ball works best for loads without straps, ties or loose threads that could snag or get tangled in the ball. It is 100% manufactured and assembled in the USA and will last you many years.
Make a positive impact by using the Cora Ball to reduce microfiber pollution in our oceans!
Materials
Materials
100% recyclable synthetic rubber
Dimensions
Dimensions
Diameter: 4"
Instructions
Instructions
- Toss the Cora Ball into the drum with each laundry load (one ball will do per washer). Include the ball when washing synthetic fibers (used to make fleece, outdoor gear, sportswear, swimwear and more) and natural fibers. The ball is compatible with top loaders and front loaders.
- Please take note of the contents of your load—do not use the ball with items that are loosely knit, have straps/ties or loose threads, which could get tangled in the ball.
- It might take some time but eventually enough microfibers will accumulate in the stalks of your Cora Ball to start tangling with larger fibers and hair. Grab any visible fuzz with your fingers and dispose in the trash.
Pro Tips
Pro Tips
If you're not seeing anything accumulate in the stalks, don't worry! It may take dozens of washes before there is anything large enough to see without a microscope. Not to mention, the ball works to reduce shedding from happening in the first place, so if there isn't much accumulating, it's doing its job.
To learn more about the Cora Ball, read our interview with the founder here.
If your loads often contain loose knits, items with straps, or garments and towels with loose threads that could potentially snag, you might want to consider the Guppyfriend bag instead.
The ball looks the same, clean even after four loads.
Thank you for sharing your concerns! On their own, microfibers that shed from clothes are too small for the eye to see. It may take dozens of washes before there is enough collected to see without a microscope. Aside form catching microfibers, the Cora Ball also works to reduce shedding from happening in the first place, so if there isn't much accumulating, it's doing its job. We know it can be hard to put trust in something when you can't see the results with your own eyes, but we hope you'll trust the peer-reviewed scientific research that that has shown the Cora Ball can make a difference.