Washing machine uses plastic beads instead of water, reduces electricity by 47%

Electronic Products ^ | 02/26/2014 | Jeffrey Bausch

[null and void]

Today’s washing machines are considerably more economical than in years past, especially when it comes to the amount of electricity and water it takes for them to run. But for all the advancements made thus far, none have offered the efficiency of the new Xeros washing machine. 

 

Developed by Stephen Burkinshaw at the University of Leeds, this particular machine uses specially formulated nylon polymer beads in place of gallons of water. 

 

The beads are tasked with sucking away dirt and grease from the user’s clothing, and can be used up to 100 times (estimated to be six months of use) before needing to be replaced. That’s a small expense when considering that by reducing the amount of water used, the machine needs much less power in order to run — 47% less electricity to be exact. 

 

The new Xeros washing machine looks like a standard front-load machine. It requires a small cup of water, along with a tiny amount of detergent, per load, thereby reducing total water usage by 72% (when compared to water required for today’s washing machines).

The beads are released once the washing cycle has started, whereupon their unique polarization helps loosen stains without hot water; the stains are then removed by the machine’s dual drum system.

One question about this technology is what does one do with the beads once they need to be replaced? Xeros insists they’ll be recycled, but it’s up to the customer to contact the company and make sure they’re disposed of properly.

Despite this minor hurdle, Xeros has already earned accolades for this technology, including a spot on the WWF’s list of Green Game-Changers. The washing machines are available for purchase by businesses in the U.K. and North America, and Xeros plans on expanding into the residential market in approximately two years.

Story via xeroscleaning.com

[grania]

Most people use much more water than is necessary to do a wash. I’d rather conserve by using less water than by battering my clothing with enviornmentally unfriendly plastic pellets.

[trisham]

No thanks. I’ll bet that the clothing “washed” this way wears out three times as fast.

[lesko]

Do the old fashioned method and hang clothes outside or inside. No drying cost other than time.

[Ken H]

What keeps all your pockets from getting filled with beads?

or lungs?

[JoeFromSidney]

Nearly twenty years ago I had a consulting job with a Turkish firm that made white goods: washers, dryers, etc. They explained their R&D problem to me. To sell in Europe, they had to meet EU specifications for things like water consumption, electricity consumption, and noise level. Each year the responsible EU agency would look at the performance of each model on the market. For the next year, they would set the specifications based on the "best" 90% (as I recall) of this year's models. "What? You can't meet the spec? But 90% of all the models on the market this year met it." So the EU kept driving down the water & electricity consumption, noise level, etc. year after year.

Part of my job was to help them forecast what the specs would be in future years, so that their R&D lab could get started early on meeting them. One of the issues was, just what was the theoretical least possible water consumption to wash clothes? I wonder what this innovation will do to EU requirements for minimizing water consumption.

[Beagle8U]

“including a spot on the WWF’s list of Green Game-Changers.”

The World Wrestling Federation is into greenie washing machines?

[The Working Man]

I seem to recall that New York has outlawed face washes and other products that use ‘micro-beads’ because they are clogging up the sewers. What makes these ‘beads’ any less likely to end up in the sewers or landfills?

Or are they completely recyclable and the consumer will have to take them to special reclamation sites?

[Cyber Liberty]

Sounds like another “weird trick.”

This “washer beads” quackery raises its head every decade or so....

[SolidRedState]

I don’t know about wawshing clothes, but I woudl liek to try those beads for cleaning brass for reloading.

[bunkerhill7]

2 hands , a washboard and elbow grease reduce electricity by 100%, water by 99%.

[Cyber Liberty]

One of the issues was, just what was the theoretical least possible water consumption to wash clothes?

That's how Big Gummint works. You figure out the "least possible," then they come up with a number less than yours, and tells you to figure it out. Pretty sure that's how they do the CAFE standards for cars.

[dhs12345]

Heat pumps can be efficient.

[Rio]

Sounds like it might work...

http://carteach0.blogspot.com/2008/10/cleaning-cases-with-plastic-pellets-as.html

[Straight Vermonter]

I seem to recall that New York has outlawed face washes and other products that use ‘micro-beads’ because they are clogging up the sewers. What makes these ‘beads’ any less likely to end up in the sewers or landfills?

These beads are much larger. They do not go into the sewer.

Or are they completely recyclable and the consumer will have to take them to special reclamation sites?

What's wrong with the curbside recycling bin?

[dhs12345]

Welcome to the modern age. Worst of all the new appliances are CHEAP junk. Probably a mix of EPA regs and the manufactures ripping off their customers.

Sorry to sound angry. Major appliances are expensive and now have to be replaced every 5 years or so is insult to injury. Plus, a couple of expensive visits from the repairman. An old appliances lasted 20 years or more.

For example: we bought our washer in 1989 and our gas dryer in 1993. Both are still running great! Knock on wood.

So... if you have an appliance made before 2000, consider repairing it instead of buying a new one. The repaired appliance may last longer than a brand new one.

[SolidRedState]

Thanks, Rio.

[Romulus]

Not a problem! The new law mandating these machines will also mandate plastic clothes, towels, and bed sheets. In a dingy grey color. Is this a great country, or what?

[zeugma]

color me sceptical. I'd be interested in seeing comparisons with the long term effects of washing this way as compared to more traditional methods on clothes. I'd also like to see how well it actually works at getting things clean.

If it actually holds up over time, I'd be willing to try something like this. If the plastic pellets are actually recyclable, and can be recycled economically, that would be a plus. If it works, and is cheaper for consumers, great. If not, then it should die just like any other useless product.

I'd wonder if ultrasonics cold be employed as well.

[1_Rain_Drop]

Where does the cleaned dirt go?
How much noise do the beads emits when cycling?
Can a child swallow the beads?
Why aren’t pebbles used instead? can’t get any greener than pebbles!

Oh, and, what’s the cost of this machine?

[minnesota_bound]

HA! You are correct. You think lint is a problem just pull your pockets out in the future and watch the beads fill out and roll around on the floor.