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

[1_Rain_Drop]

If only one cup of water is used to wash clothes, then I don’t think one has to worry about drying time.

How do these beads differentiate between dirt and laundry detergent?

[tet68]

Just what every housewife wants, a washer the size
of a garage.

[JoeProBono]

[musicman]

Let's Put This Baby To Bed!!
Less Than $932 To Go Green!!
Please Help End This Quarter's FReepathon

Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!

[Covenantor]

...And tiny beads of “proprietary polymers” that the “proprietary process” failed to flush out, hiding in the folds of seams, pockets, and cuffs that melt when ironed. Not to mention the jockies.

[william clark]

...what does one do with the beads once they need to be replaced? Xeros insists they’ll be recycled...

[Wuli]

my backyard clothesline uses zero energy (produces zero emmissions - LOL) and cost about $3 fifteen years ago /sarc

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

---

It could work for towels.

Imagine the pleasure of using hotel towels that have been “cleaned” with this process.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Yeah, these new washers are more economical (though I haven't noticed in either my electricity or water bills), but they suck at getting your clothes clean.

Who knew washing a load of clothes in a cup and a half of water wouldn't work?

[nascarnation]

Agree. The problem is when you go below the temp threshold and the resistance electric kicks in. (unless you have cheap juice - which Obama is working hard to eliminate)

[Cyber Liberty]

I live in Phoenix, and a heat pump works fine for all my climate control needs, even in summer when I need it cooled by >40 degrees. My brother lives in HI, and he doesn’t have any kind of heater/cooler in his $1M house.

A heat pump is an amazing concept. With the control valve facing one way, you have standard A/C evaporator/condenser and flip it the other way, the evaporator and condenser switch functions, thus turning an A/C into a furnace.

[dhs12345]

Yup. And it is going to get more expensive. A lot more.

I was discussing our energy policy with some pro-electric car people and our acrimony towards of any form of energy that might even have a chance at powering their electric car.

We basically have NO plan and only a bunch of feel good statements. And no, wind and solar are not going to power a million electric cars.

[cyclotic]

We bought our first washer and dryer at a garage sale. The dryer squeaked and we paid $75 for it. A $2 takeup reel fixed it. The washer leaked and they threw it in for free. That cost $19 to repair. Myself.

They lasted at least ten years. Been through 3 washers since then in 15 years.

[dhs12345]

Yup. We consumers are getting ripped off.

If you are old enough you probably remember the Maytag repairman advertisement. We owned a Maytag dishwasher — it broke down on us several times. We kept the repairmen busy and well paid.

We finally dumped it and bought a Bosh. Figured that we'd buy foreign until American companies got their act together and stopped ripping Americans off. The Bosh was more expensive but we figured it was investment. Especially if lasts 20 years. Plus they threw in a free Tassimo coffee maker. :)

So far, the Bosh is doing really well. We have owned it for four years. The Maytag POS started giving us problems right after the first year.

[dhs12345]

Yup. The Carnot cycle. Pretty cool (pun intended) how nature works.