Waterless Washing Machine: Technology Takes Giant Step Forward

Yes, you read that right... There is a new, virtually waterless washing machine in the works.

The University of Leeds in the UK is in the process of creating just such a washing machine, the brainchild of Professor Stephen Burkinshaw. Their new technology works by washing clothes with plastic chips or granules. According to Greener Design, the plastic chips actually clean clothes very effectively, removing most stains and leaving clothes almost dry. Even more amazing, the washer works with as little as a cup of water and these magic plastic chips, or "solid solvents". (What these are, I'm not quite sure, as their site doesn't specify.)

In fact, the technology has been so successful that the university created a spin-off company, Xeros, that will bring the technology to market. Xeros has received almost $1 million in funding for developing the new washing machine, which may hit markets next year.

Additional uses for the environmentally friendly technology include a greener dry-cleaning process, as well as safer removal of excess dye in the textile industry. In addition to a significant decrease in the use of water, Xeros' goals include a decrease in both the energy consumed in the cleaning process and the amount of chemicals needed. An added benefit is reduced drying time and lower processing costs.

As intriguing an idea as it is, what remains to be determined is whether the benefits of the waterless washing machine will outweigh any detrimental effects of using plastics. And just what kind of magic plastic is it, anyway?