water butts

[mimififi]

Hi there. I have been reading about eco friendly laundry balls and have decided to give them a go (hopefully they will work or we will have to walk around in mucky clothes) the advert says that they make the water out of the washing machine chemical free.

Thus, I was thinking of taking the hose that chucks the water down the drain, through a hole in the wall and connecting it to a water but so I can use this to water the plants in the summer through our hose pipe ban. Also, I wasthinking of adding the water from my condenser dryer.

now, to take this idea one step further, I was also thinking of using this water in things such as the kids paddling pool etc. So, how do I keep the water in the but sanitised so that I can use it for things such as this, and it not go all stagnant and foul? Also, what would happen if I were to add some house hold borax to the load for really dirty clothes? Would that harm the kids or the plants? It would of course be much diluted.

Alternatively, if this method works, do you think it would be feasible to connect the water hose also to the but in some way so I could reuse the water for washing clothes??? there would be no soap or chemicals in the water so Im guessin it would be fairly clean. Or is there something else I could add to the water to purify it so I could reuse it in the machine? How many times could I do this???

so, come on you techies and inventors, give me a plan...

mimi

X

[nickmo]

http://www.rainharvesting.co.uk/ for one suggestion to get the most from free water on the roof and see: http://www.freewateruk.co.uk/domestic-greywater-I.htm for waste wate recycling systems.

Industrial processes can also use recycling systems, and there are a number of recycling washing machines on the market now - including 1 that uses air to wash clothes - so the concept has been started - its just how it will be taken up by the great unwashed...

See the info on: http://www.thenaturalhome.com/greywater.html and that should start the brain cells...

[smurfchops]

Try reading these replies:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden/Question197695.html

[wastetech]

Washing machine discharges still contain bacteria and viruses, unless the wash cycle is set to 90 degrees centigrade. These bacteria, including faecal coliforms, will increase with every wash, so unless you are going to install sterilisation equipment like UV, it is not wise to reuse the water many times and certainly not to store it between washes.

I personally have used the Eco Balls for 4 years now and find them very good. I do use a very small amount of detergent with them (mainly for the smell), but I would not be without them.
http;//www.oasis-rainharvesting.co.uk

[wastetech]

Oh, I forgot to add, i have refilled the balls with new pellets after about 21/2 years use.
http://www.oasis-rainharvesting.co.uk