The process of washing clothes is a real resource guzzler. Think about it: the washing machine consumes water, energy and detergent; on top of that, running the dryer requires even more energy. But a revolutionary new washing machine has been invented that may offer households a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to clean clothes.
In development at the University of Leeds (one of the top research universities in the UK), the innovative washer incorporates patented Xeros technology (also developed at the University) and uses less than 2 percent of the water and energy of a traditional machine. Requiring as little as a cup of water for each cycle, the machine replaces large quantities of the wet stuff with plastic granules that are tumbled with the clothes to remove stains. Testing done to this point has proven the machine can remove virtually all types of everyday stains as effectively as most standard machines. And, since so little water is used, clothes emerge from the process nearly dry – reducing the need for long drying cycles, or even dryer use altogether.
“The performance of the Xeros process in cleaning clothes has been quite astonishing,” said Professor Stephen Burkinshaw, who helped invent the new technology. “We’ve shown that it can remove all sorts of everyday stains including coffee and lipstick whilst using a tiny fraction of the water used by conventional washing machines.”
The environmental impact of such a washer becoming commonplace in households would be incredibly significant. Along with reducing home energy costs, Xeros technology could save billions of liters of water a year. While many people believe clean water is abundant, like many other natural resources it is being used carelessly without regard for its scarcity (for the results of such thinking, see gasoline). Along with household washing machines, Xeros technology is also being tested for application in the dry-cleaning industry. Since certain solvents commonly used in the dry-cleaning process are facing ban because of their potentially harmful effects, researchers believe Xeros technology could provide a safer alternative. They also believe the technology would be more financially beneficial to dry cleaners. Eventually, Xeros could be applied to other industrial processes - including wastewater treatment and metal degreasing.
Currently, the company created by the University of Leeds to foster Xeros technology, Xeros Ltd, is receiving additional funding from IP Group, a company that specializes in commercializing university technology. Xeros researchers are hoping the IP Group investment will help accelerate the commercialization of the new washer, and believe the machines could be available in the United Kingdom as early as next year. No word yet on when the innovative appliance might make its way stateside.
