Introducing the Waterless Washing Machine.
The word from the UK is that they are about to spin-release a waterless washing machine, which uses as little as a single cup of water per washing cycle! In fact, Xeros Ltd., which itself has been spun out of the University of Leeds, by commercialising the technology developed there, confirmed on Monday that the new machines released next year ‘... would use less than 2% of the water and energy of a conventional washing machine.’
That’s a huge saving when you consider that 2 million new washing machines are currently being sold in the UK alone each year. If you do the math, with a typical washing ratio of about 35 kg of water (about 21 litres) for every kilogram of clothes, in addition to the power needed to heat the water and dry the clothes, that’s about 420,000,000 million litres of water saved, not to mention tonnes of coal and units of power.
The new Xeros machine uses ‘plastic chips’ to remove the dirt and stains from clothes. The added bonus being that the process leaves them dry as well, further reducing energy consumption otherwise used for drying.
The Company, who recently secured investments capital of almost 500,000 pounds ($984,400) from IP Group Plc, told Reuters the price of the new machines was "... not expected to be dramatically different from (conventional) washing machines."
Whilst it all sounds great in theory, some sceptical environmentalists are suggesting it all sounds like another 'get rich quick,' niche-market, poorly researched product, which may not work out cheaper in the long run, when looked at more closely?
Not silly, if consider that with cheap oil running out, clearly the amount of both oil and water needed to create the 20 kilos of chips required to wash 100 loads of clothing is absurd to start with?
In truth, it IS a lot of plastic when you consider that the average housewife washes at least 6 - 10 full loads a week, which would equate to a new load of ‘chips’ every couple of months. Other factors involve looking at the level of dirt on the clothes in each load, because the dirtier the clothes the fewer times you can re-use the ‘chips.’
So, if the Xeros System does take off ... it could mean that instead of using billions of litres of a renewable and recyclable element like water, we would be generating more untold millions of tonnes of plastics, with god only knows what effects on the environment?
All cleverly concealed weapons of 'mass distraction' by advertising companies trying to bamboozle the consumer trying to make an environmentally sound choice?
Let's think it through again, shall we.
If you multiply 20 kilos of chips by (just) the 30,000,000 dwellings in the UK alone, you cannot help but to see the *massive* disposal issues that could arise if everyone rushed out to purchase this new eco-friendly, wonder-gizmo, en masse, with no recycling in place to counteract it?
Sounds like ‘progress’ for the sake of progress and hang the consequences, doesn't it?
Maybe we should all get back to the river and start bashing our clothes with rocks again or re-think the entire problem.
Sanyo has done exactly that with their own idea of Waterless Washing Technology.
They claim that the oxidised-ozone simply returns to oxygen after it has completed its cycle, making it easy on the environment.
How the AirWash 'Washes.'
The machine also has a “normal” washing cycle, which uses water recycled from the rinse cycle and ozone together, leading to a big reduction in water use when compared to more conventional machines.
The AirWash uses no plastic chips and produces no other waste beside oxygen. It is neat, sleek and stands in a small space, and has the potential to make conventional, eco-superfreaky dry cleaning obsolete.
God only knows where you have to go to buy the nano-coating sprays, nor how they may or may not affect the skin on contact?
The other marvel on offer by Electrolux at the moment, is the Sunshine Washer, (right), which uses the power of the sun and the sunshine effect to do the laundry, solar style.
Among the two, the solar washing unit impresses the most with its solar energy harnessing feature and slim-looks.
The only remaining question in all this C-light-solar-ion technology, is where the actual ‘organic matter’ from your clothes actually goes, and if it can be collected and used in the compost pile, without making next seasons capsicum taste bitter?
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It is easy to solve one problem yet create another but HOPEFULLY they will come up with a better solution than the plastic because using less water and power does sound good....
and yes where the f^&k do I buy nano coated clothing for crying out loud?
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Also, love the design as well (The lower one seen like a giant dinosaur egg to me...lol)
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I heard that Gucci were releasing its new line of formaldehyde based nano-nylon, it has all the cleaning fluids already impregnated in the cloth, so you don't ever have to use water to clean it, it washes whilst you sweat.
However, researcher are a little worried about their trial candidates having all mysteriously died of brain tumours and liver cancers within a short time after the trials?
Quite the mystery...There are some conspiracy theories and rumours of course ... but you know there is no truth in those.
Someone even suggested that it failed becuase the skin is porous *laughs* as if!
Lilla ...
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Yes, the AirWash seems to be the best option here, I agree. However, it will depend on what chemicals (if any) need to be "pressed" into the fabric during manufacture, in order to make the process more efficient?
But the thinking is original and it is a step in the right direction, no doubts about it... although until we have the best answer, I like the idea of councils forcing more water tanks and water harvesting infrastructure -= including recycling plants - in general.
Nothing cleanses like water.
Lilla ...
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A well written post as usual. Have you seen this Engadget link? This is a very interesting concept. One of the problems I see is the cost. Reduced water washing machines are very expensive. For us regular folks, I can't afford a thousand dollars for a reduced water washing machine; I hope that the low water machines are more cost effecient.
Always good to see you!
Mis
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Stuff all this. They are coming up with this brilliant plan!
A global collection agency will collect all our clothes once a week take them, wash them and deliver them back at your door.
As you know the average house does about 6 washes a week. This was your clothes will be picked up only once a week there by reducing the number of times we use the washing machine dramatically.
It is expected that the traditional environmentally taxing machines would become obsolete and we will have the world washing together. One world. One dream.
The impact on the environment is next to none as this process is going to use next to no water.
The solution. Outsourcing to China who we will fly it to space.
We have found water on Mars!!
(p.s. please don't bother me with the pedantic theatrics of the cost of rocket fuel and other silly stuff)
Isn't it funny how corporations can find ways to manipulate the consumer sentiments? I would think it would actually be easier and more beneficial to the bottom line is they actually try to actually match the sentiments and put a little effort into genuinely trying to resolve some of the problems.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA - I couldnt agree more.
I love the idea here of flying my smalls to China *chuckle* no need for rocket fuel, we have formaldehyde and if it is impregnated in the cloth itself with another cocktail ... who knows?
As I said before, the clothes may even cleanse themselves whilst you sweat.. brain tumours and other small details? ... hmmm not a bad side effect when considering population control ... certainly something in this one world stuff.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comment and a much needed laugh!
Lilla ...
LIFE OF OUR TIME
I mean the way things are going we could do with a little population control.
(no offence to any cancer patients out there, especially those suffering from the utter lack of intelligance and care of those bent upon destrying everything in their path to keep the red away from their bottomlines.
J
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Forgive me for missing your comment... (ha! pardon the pun).
Yes, I agree, the cost is too high in both resources, and well outpriced for the average family. To my way of thinking, spending the money on individual household water-recycling units would be far more effective when it comes to engaging our 'superior human intellect,' don't you agree?
Always a pleasure to see you too ...
Lilla ...
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mmm, that is the thing isn;t it? they seemed to be such a good idea when I first started lookinga t them, and then as the research went a little deeper, I started to notice that this is so very far from being a solution to a rather dirty problem.
Back to the drawing board indeed!
Thanks for your great comment, I look forward to visiting your blog over the coming weeks.
Lilla ...