Ask Mr. Tight-Watt: Ozone “purifier” on washing machines  

Mr. Tight-Watt answers a reader's question.

Ask Mr. Tight-Watt

Question: Do the water treatment (ozone) boxes that are sold for washers really work? Or are they a waste of money? I received flyer in the mail, and the website makes this look like a good product. –Carol, a Smart Choices reader

Mr. Tight-Watt called on Brian Sloboda, Senior Program Manager
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, to provide expertise on this question.

Brian’s Answer: I would be skeptical. Let’s take it step by step.

• This product claims that you can stop using hot water for washing clothing. Even without this product, there is no reason to use hot water to wash clothes. Every load should be washed in cold water. This even goes for whites.
• The ads claim that you can decrease or even stop using detergent when using this product. I believe you should be cautious of how much detergent you use in any case; most of us use way too much of it. If you see soap suds in your washer, you used too much soap. Use half the soap that is recommended by your detergent manufacturer for typical loads. Soap doesn’t get things clean. It just helps to break the bond between dirt and fabric. I have even heard a few laundry experts claim that you can wash most clothing items in plain water and that they will come out clean and odor free. I’ve never tried this, however.
• Ozone is used to clean and get rid of odors. But it is also harmful to humans and is corrosive. Ozone is a gas that becomes a liquid at minus 112 degrees C. So the website claims are stretching it in saying this product converts water to ozone. I think that minus 112 degrees C is colder than what most people would be able to use for doing their laundry!
• UV light does produce ozone. But it is a concentration of 0.5% or less. And it will be in gas form, not liquid.
• Our office “Mr. Wizard” suspects this product might create hydrogen peroxide, which would be really good at cleaning white clothing, but would destroy cotton and bleach out colors.
• I read over all 30 benefits of the system on the company website. I believe that you can get all or most of the benefits by using this gadget. However, I believe you will get the same results if you don’t use the gadget!

Unless I see evidence to the contrary I would put this product into the “harmless but expensive” category of products. It most likely won’t harm you. But it will make a dent in your bank account!

Bottom line
One good way to determine if a product like this is safe to use if you are questioning claims (or wondering if “it’s just too good to be true”): Always look for UL approval on any appliance, or a “stamp of approval” from experts who are trustworthy (for example, Consumer Reports).

Contact:
Brian Sloboda
Senior Program Manager
NRECA
brian.sloboda@nreca.coop
Phone: 703.907.5689
 

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