We've discussed washing our clothes numerous times on this blog. The water and energy use is staggering and we won't even discuss drying and ironing!
Enter the Xeros Waterless Washing Machine(currently in rapid prototype stage). Using a similar theory to washing balls, the Xeros system uses detergent in tandem with nylon beads that work their way into your clothes and absorb stains. When the cycle is over the beads drain away, leaving your clothes clean. Xeros claims to use 90% less water than traditional washing machines and estimate a 30% reduction in laundry costs over a traditional system. Other benefits include a faster cycle, no need to use a dryer and less nasty soap run off in the environment.
Xeros is currently working with the commercial sector, but they plan to roll out home models as well. Thumbs up for Xeros, but the jury is out till we see the cold, hard facts and the bright, clean results;)
19 comments:
I suppose I am kind of skeptical of this concept because I just feel like getting something truly clean is reliant on soap and water. I do believe there are ways of washing your clothes but being more environmentally friendly about it. To me getting something truly clean has to involve a substantial amount of water. For example i would never try a shampoo that makes it so that I don't really have to use water because I would never really clean. I just feel like water is renewing when it comes to cleaning something and I wish the solutions that are coming out these days are solving the issues while still keeping the concept of water washing in tact. My mom always says the only way to really clean a cut is with soap and water so i guess I'm trained to equate water and soap with cleanliness. Obviously if this solution is proved to work and I try it and see that it works, I would love to use it, but I am still very skeptical of this idea.
I agree with Sarah that I am a bit skeptical of this washing machine. Although it might use less water and be less harmful to the environment than regular washing, I wonder if the nylon beads would damage clothing. If users of such a machine have to replace their wardrobes more often because of wear due to these beads then it will not be environmentally sound in the long run.
I don't really know how I feel about washing the clothes without water, or with very little water. Sometimes I have washed my clothing and when it's done being washed it is pretty dry, because the washer didn't provide enough water. I don't know if it was because I wasn't used to the wash being halfway dry when I switched it over to the dryer, or if it was because the clothes weren't actually really clean, but I didn't feel as though it was totally clean. I would like to see what this Xeros Waterless Washing can do when tested more. For now though, I think I am going to stick to my usual way of washing my clothes.
I agree with Sara in that I believe that washing a garment and getting it truly clean relies on both soap and water. This reminds me of using dry shampoo, I don't feel like my hair would be completely clean because I'm just putting something in my hair and not washing it out. I feel like the Xeros waterless washing is a similar situation, but I'm interested in hearing more reviews about it.
I agree with below comments when i say i am more than a little skeptical. Clothes getting clean without water? doesn't seem too hygienic if you ask me. I'd like to see some more evidence that this machine actually works and leaves clothes equally as clean as traditional washing machines. I'm all for a clean environment, ut does that mean we need to sacrifice the cleanliness of our clothes?
I understand the suspicion about washing without water but I'm pretty positive about it. Water works well with cleaning in that it provides active environment for the chemicals to interact with the fabrics. But waterless wash is another kind of technology. A few years ago, I bought some high-tech chrome-like "soaps" from German, which was the most popular soap in town. Its shape is similar with normal soap but since its surface is made of chrome-like light weight materials, it doesn't feel like soap at all.They are high-tech because they only need little water and all we need to do is use the "soap" to message around our hands until we feel we are clean enough. I couldn't get used to it until after a while when I finally adapted cleaning without bubbles and a lot of water. I already forgot the explanation about the technology behind it but i do remember this soap was much expensive than normal soap. I just think that new technology always needs innovators to initiate and I'd love the idea of washing without water as long as they can actually keep us clean and psychologically secured.
I can't imagine that this would work, but it would be the coolest thing ever if it did.
Imagine not having to wait for the dryer? I always used to complain to my mom (she made me start doing my own laundry around age 15) that with so many amazing inventions and advances in technology in the world, that it still takes 2 hours to to a load of laundry fully.
Not to mention the environmental impact that could be saved, though that would have to be determined after factoring in the use of the nylon beads and that expense.
I agree with what Rachel said. I see these nylon beads being a bit more damaging to clothes because they have to rub against the fabric in order to clean the garment. This is one of the things I hate about putting my clothes in the dryer, and the reason why I hand most off my clothes up to dry... I guess it is just a matter of trying it out.
I think this could be a hugely beneficial innovation if it works out successfully. I do find it strange that clothing an be washed with little to no water, however if the results prove clean, why not?! I do however think that this type of washer could negatively effect our clothing. For clothing companies, this is going to be another thing they will have to consider when making a garment and it's care tag. I'd be interested in knowing what materials this machine will work well with and which will not be able to go through such a wash.
I think I would be very curious to try this not only because it is much better for the environment but I would also be very interested to see how this would change the dry-clean-only clothing market. I wonder how this would change the way clothing is affected by washing machines in terms of color fading, and fabric being destroyed. I could see this being potentially more environmentally friendly also due to it maybe reducing the amount of clothing that is ruined by washing machines.
My first thought when reading about the Xeros washing machine was that it was fascinating that clothing could be washed using simply detergent and nylon beads. If this could actually work, it would make a huge difference in helping the environment. There seems to be a abundance of benefits, however, I am afraid it might be too good to be true. I can't imagine that clothes will be completely clean without the use of water. I feel like there is no way that deep stains will be removed completely, and I am skeptical about the the quality of the item remaining intact. I'll believe it when I see it!
Just like my opinion of the "washing balls" the beads seem weird to me. I feel as if not having any water in your washing process my clothes won't truly be clean. THe aspects I do like of the not waiting for the clothes in the dryer and not having the issues of shrinking your clothes in the dryer. I also like the fact that you're saving water, but overall I am not sold on the idea.
When I was reading this my mind was blown. To think that technology has come this far that we can wash clothes without the usual water and soap is unbelievable. I do not know how i feel about this however. To think you are not using water and soap makes me feel like the job is not getting done. Maybe i am a bit skeptical due to the fact that in society we are used to the usual soap and water to clean things. I suppose I would have to try it out myself to understand how it works.
I don't fully agree with Sara. There are lots of products out there that don't require water to become clean. I know that for some really fine hair types that can not be washed everyday; they have made a water-less shampoo. It is this powder you put in your hair that absorbs and cleanses your scalp. Also, I know that I have extremely dry skin and my dermatologist always tells me that if I can to only wash my face once a day or the water will continue to dry my skin out. There are SO many products that you can use on your face to take your make-up off or clean your skin with. I think this is just something we have to keep an open mind with. Times are a changin'!
Never thought about this before:
The Wonderwash:
ideal for us apartment dwellers?
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/products/Wonderwash.html
I want this now! Can I pre order this? I hate doing laundry. I hate dyers. They never work. I am honestly so excited to see this product in action! Laundry uses so much water and being able to be green and make laundry an easier chore is amazing. I do not believe in just soap and water like some of my classmates. I think this is an amazing and innovative idea. If this product is proven to work and is not totally overpriced then I will be the first person inline at Sears to purchase the waterless wash.
I would like to hear more about the reviews on the Xeros Waterless Washing Machine because I agree that nothing sounds good until we find out the cold, hard facts first. Creating new innovations for a healthy environment is a great up and coming responsibility in our society, but creating something that "sounds" eco friendly does not mean it will benefit us. You can't wash clothes without soap and water no matter what the theory is and I think that we should remind ourselves that sticking with the simple ideas, such as recycling, can give us the same, if not better, eco friendly satisfaction.
I agree with most of the girls about this not being very hygienic. I can't imagine washing my clothing without water. It does not seem sanitary. I feel as though things wouldn't truly wash away. However, I like the concept of these beads. It would be incredible if we could use less water to sufficiently clean our garments. It would have a very positive affect on the environment and it would definitely help people save water.
This is awesome! I After reading another article on this I found a quote from Xeros CEO, Bill Westwater, (ironic) saying, "Laundry washing also accounts for 15% of all household water consumption; meaning if everyone in the UK converted from normal washing to the Xeros system, the carbon emissions saved would be the equivalent of taking 1.4 m cars off the roads." Thats amazing! The same article also talked about how this is just like dry cleaning at home! I don't know about you but I will definitely be getting one of these when I move into an apartment of my own, oh yeah, and finish paying off those school loans.
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