To choose a method of washing clothes with minimum cost, environmental impact and effort requires an understanding of the underlying processes.
Contents
- 1 General principles of cleaning
- 2 Principles of washing machine and cycle design
- 3 Pedal powered washing machines
- 4 See also
General principles of cleaning[edit | edit source]
More of any of these will help to clean more effectively:
- Water (or other cleaning fluid) - The environmental impact depends on quantity and also how it is reused or disposed of.
- Detergent - Using less water achieves a greater concentration of detergent and thus less impact. The choice of detergent is also important.
- Heat - This can greatly increase cleaning effectiveness, but causes carbon emissions, unless using solar hot water, or water heated with renewable energy.
- Time - This is usually a matter of managing the process so that there is maximum time for dirt, grease etc to dissolve, and has no environmental cost.
- Physical motion (scrubbing or agitation).
Using more of one component can help reduce the amount used of the others. Allowing time to soak and dissolve is one of the most important tools in effective and low-impact cleaning, as it reduces the impact of the other components.
Principles of washing machine and cycle design[edit | edit source]
Washing efficiency can be increased by:
- Leaving the clothes to soak for a long time period, both in the washing stage (to loosen and dissolve dirt and oils) and in the rinsing stage (to remove adsorbed detergents.
- Minimizing use of water in each stage, especially where detergent is used. Updating to a new energy star certified clothes washers, [1](Accessed: 3/31/2015).</ref> uses 10 gallons less of water per full load and will also save money on the electric bill.
- Washing full loads of laundry at a time instead of several small loads.
- Using the countercurrent principle for rinsing, and using multiple stages with minimal amounts of water rather than one big rinse; or having a spin-spray cycle (possibly less efficient). It is hard to fully implement the countercurrent approach without storage for the different stages of used water, which may or may not be efficient and practical, depending on cost of storage, availability of water, nature of water disposal, and possible side-effects (e.g. breeding mosquitos if the storage isn't perfectly sealed and maintained).
- Rotating the clothes on a horizontal axis (as in a front loading washing machine) is more efficient in water, detergent, and energy than on a vertical axis (conventional top loading washing machine). Less water is used as the clothes are picked up and repeatedly passed through the small amount of water, rather than having to be all covered in water.
- The downside is cost - why is this? (Needing the door to be more carefully sealed, i.e. made to higher standards?)
- How can a cheaper washing machine be made that rotates on the horizontal access?[expansion needed] Note that "front loading" is not the factor that makes it efficient - this is just the most obvious way of doing it. It's hard to imagine how to find another way of loading, unless the tub can be raised somehow (which adds complexity and may or may not be cheaper than the front loading design).
Pedal powered washing machines[edit | edit source]
Ease of use is obviously key. A pedal powered washer, if designed well, could potentially reduce effort and time needed compared to hand washing. If compared to an electrically powered washer it will be much more work, so if that is an alternative, there will need to be a strong motivation for the pedal powered washer to be used.
See:
See also[edit | edit source]
| Authors | Chris Watkins |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-3.0 |
| Language | English (en) |
| What links here | Washing and drying clothes, Principles of dishwashing and dishwasher design, Category:Hygiene, Category:Laundry, Category:Principles of design, Category:Cleaning |
| Aliases | Principles of clothes washing |
| Translations | Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi |
| Impact | 18,912 |
| Suggestions | Add a main image |
| Created | April 25, 2009 by Chris Watkins |
| Modified | December 5, 2022 by Irene Delgado |
| Cite as | Chris Watkins (2009–2022). "Principles of clothes washing and washing machine design". Appropedia. Retrieved December 16, 2023. |
| API queries | basic, semantic, html, files, more |
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As a seasoned expert in the field of laundry and washing machine design, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to shed light on the key concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise is built upon a comprehensive understanding of the principles of cleaning, washing machine design, and alternative methods such as pedal-powered washing machines. I've delved into the intricacies of environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency in the laundry process.
Now, let's break down the essential concepts covered in the article:
General Principles of Cleaning:
-
Water (or cleaning fluid):
- Environmental impact depends on quantity and how it is reused or disposed of.
-
Detergent:
- Using less water achieves a greater concentration of detergent, reducing overall impact. The choice of detergent is crucial.
-
Heat:
- Increases cleaning effectiveness but may cause carbon emissions unless using sustainable energy sources.
-
Time:
- Managing the process to allow maximum time for dirt, grease, etc., to dissolve without environmental costs.
-
Physical Motion:
- Scrubbing or agitation contributes to effective cleaning.
-
Component Optimization:
- Using more of one component can reduce the amount needed of others. Allowing time to soak is crucial for effective and low-impact cleaning.
Principles of Washing Machine and Cycle Design:
-
Soaking:
- Leaving clothes to soak for extended periods in both washing and rinsing stages enhances cleaning efficiency.
-
Water Usage:
- Minimizing water use, especially where detergent is involved, is key. Energy Star certified washers can significantly reduce water consumption.
-
Load Size:
- Washing full loads at a time is more efficient than several small loads.
-
Countercurrent Rinsing:
- Using multiple stages with minimal water, countercurrent rinsing, or spin-spray cycles can be more efficient.
-
Rotation Axis:
- Front-loading washing machines with a horizontal axis are more efficient in water, detergent, and energy usage compared to conventional top-loading machines.
-
Cost Considerations:
- Front-loading design is efficient but may be costlier due to the need for careful sealing. The challenge is to devise a cheaper washing machine with horizontal axis rotation.
Pedal-Powered Washing Machines:
-
Ease of Use:
- Pedal-powered washers, if well-designed, could potentially reduce effort and time compared to hand washing.
-
Comparison to Electric Washers:
- While more work-intensive than electric washers, the motivation for using pedal-powered washers needs to be strong.
In conclusion, understanding the principles of cleaning, washing machine design, and exploring alternative methods like pedal-powered washers is essential for making informed decisions that balance cost, environmental impact, and effort in the quest for efficient laundry practices.
