Gizmodo: washing

When Good Enough Becomes Lousy

Jason Chen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EDT

The antithesis of the good enough mantra can be seen with this, a Hoover washing machine from 1948.

What may have been good enough then (the first British-made washing machine), is a horrible piece of crap now. But of course, that's true for most types of machines ever made. [Science Museum]

Sanyo's Human Washing Machine From 1970

Sean Fallon — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:20:00 EST

Back in 1970, Sanyo envisioned a future where manual bathing was obsolete and head-washing was (apparently) optional. At the World Expo in Osaka, Sanyo unveiled their plan in the form of the Ultrasonic Bath.

Essentially, the device was a human washing machine that cleaned, massaged and dried the occupant in a fully-automated 15 minute cycle. Obviously, Sanyo's vision of the future didn't quite pan out for the average citizen, but if you live in Japan you can look forward to a similar experience when your kids finally decide to put you in a home. A descendant of the Ultrasonic Bath concept called the HIRB ("Human In Roll-lo Bathing") system works in a similar fashion—scrubbing the elderly to a sparkling shine. [Pink Tentacle via Neatorama]

Baguni Washing Machine Takes In Entire Laundry Baskets

Jason Chen — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:20:00 EST

This Baguni washing machine concept saves one step, the one where you empty your clothes basket into the washing machine, from your laundry cycle. Is this a huge problem for people?

The only thing we can see is that you don't need to repeatedly bend down and unload the washing machine when the cycle's done, but you still have to dump your wet clothes into the dryer afterwards. This saves up to 60 seconds of time, but probably diminishes the washing capacity of the machine. Our LG has fins and jets on the side, whereas this just has holes for jets.

We think functionality trumps laziness this time—we'll pass. [Tuvie via DVICE]

One Wash, One Cup of Water: Nearly Waterless Washing Machine Invented

Kit Eaton — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:28:00 EDT

British inventors have designed a washing machine that takes eco-friendliness to a new level: it uses just a single cup of water to wash a load of clothes. Instead of water the Xeros machine uses thousands of special plastic chips (about 44 pounds' worth) in each wash, and when that single cup of water is heated, these chips absorb the dirt—including tricky stuff like coffee and lipstick. The chips are removed when the wash ends, and can be reused up to 100 times. Though it's still in prototyping, the inventors are intending to commercialize their machine, and it may even hit the shops next year for a price similar to conventional machines. [Daily Mail]

LG's Washing Machine Has an iPod Dock

Jason Chen — Mon, 28 May 2007 11:03:16 EDT

Of all the things that we've seen an iPod dock stuck onto, this washing machine is probably the worst. LG's patent for a "Home appliance with MP3 player" loads a dock for the iPod/Zune on the top along with speakers and what looks like a powerline networking adapter with a slot for a USB port.

We're not sure how useful this is—who spends all 40 minutes of the cycle standing in front of the washer?—but LG apparently has other ideas in mind. Oh crap, that reminds us that we left a wet load in the washer last night! – Jason Chen

A Washing Machine with Mp3 player by LG [Unwiredview]

Electrolux KaionWave: Waterless Washing Machine

Mark Wilson — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 11:20:50 EST

The KaionWave is a concept from Electrolux design labs. Only intended for cleaning stain-resistant nanofabrics (which don't exist unless you count those Docker pants), the KaionWave uses ultraviolet-C light that can penetrate fabric to kill viruses and bacteria. Free radical oxygen pumps through the unit, breaking down dirt and skid marks.

We like that all this technology means less chemicals, not so much for the environment, but our tendency to always be out of detergent because we never go to the store. Then we find ourselves in a bind with no clean undies, thinking maybe we can borrow the wife's as long as we avoid urinals for the day. All is well until we unconsciously bend over in the afternoon, revealing a blue sparkle thong to our coworkers. Yeah, this washing machine is pretty much the greatest thing ever. – Mark Wilson

Electrolux Washing System [via crave]

Limited Edition LG Washing Machines: Buy It and Prove You're in a Loveless Marriage

johnb — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 18:07:13 EDT

I like washing machines. They get my stained undies nice and clean and they're great for washing the dog. However, they are not designer works of art. Unfortunately, LG didn't get the memo and teamed up with the Designer's Guild to create four limited edition that come in sexy prints:

Cloisonné (butterflies and flowers on a black matt background), Imperial Flower (a red floral damask design on a white background), Sevilla (gree floral on white) and Ribailagua

They also come in Fey Green Plaid, Washed Up Model Turned Art Gallery Owner Thanks to Her Rich Husband's Hedge Fund Business Paisley, and a striking Weird Japanese Guy With Dreadlocks Anime Print.

No pricing and limited availability. If you have to ask, you can't afford it. – John Biggs

Product Page [LG via TechDigest ]