The U.K.-based Xeros has been testing the machine for three years. Through a partnership with GreenEarth Cleaning, the machines will soon be sold in North America. The initial target will be commercial dry cleaners and laundromats.
The Xeros machine uses 90 percent less water than a conventional washing machine, and it also use less detergent and energy for a load of laundry. Due to less water being used, there’s also less of a need for putting clothes in a dryer, which also saves energy.
For those wondering about a difference in quality or effect on clothing, GreenEarth claims the impact is negligible.
“The testing completed to date has indicated no appreciable difference in wear between garments processed in the Xeros technology versus the traditional laundry process,” says Tim Maxwell, president of GreenEarth Cleaning. “Extensive testing with silks, embroidered garments, and other delicate items have shown no ill effects.”
Xeros claims that the nylon beads are recyclable once they are saturated, but the company has not announced any plans to offer recycling. Typically in the U.S., nylon can be recycled as a scrap plastic but is not part of curbside recycling programs.
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- groups:
- Tech, News, Green, Max and Jason: Still Up
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- recommended by:
- ras_menelik,
- slarabee
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- singrrr
- added this
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What a weird concept. I love it!
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I hope this goes somewhere.
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i think that's super neat!
possible business impact aside (like on detergent companies and those who manufacture dryers), i am more interested in knowing how recyclable those nylon beads are and if the company will figure out a way to recycle them. otherwise, it's just replacing one environmental issue with another.-
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- pnuttbuttajelli
- 5 months ago
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Pretty cool. I wonder how they keep the nylon bead from sticking to your clothes.
Also I bet you have to turn your pockets inside out.
Still sounds pretty cool.
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This thing has a lot of poential. Im excited to see if it really takes off or not.
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I'd buy one :).
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- theultimateend
- 5 months ago
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intersting...needs more testing thou
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- dreamsenvoy
- 5 months ago
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Weird, but I like weird.
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If it does everything it says it does then I am thrilled for this.
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- harlequin_girl
- 5 months ago
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What about static electricity, I think all the tumbling with nylon beads would create a static charge..
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I was told once that THE most important factors in making a laundromat a success is the ratio of foot traffic to electricity and water cost, which apparently can both vary by area. The numbers are very tight. People have apparently even developed special math to figure it all out.
If this is correct that math will all change and there could be an upheaval in the industry.
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- bombastinator
- 5 months ago
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Wow. Just. Wow. The things people are coming up with. I'm totally down for this idea.
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Interestin, lets hope it save some energy, the whole vacuuming part makes me doubt though
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It seems a bit messy, bit it's an interesting concept!
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- Veganomica
- 5 months ago
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Cancer for everyone!
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- lordsbassman
- 5 months ago
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This sounds amazing! Can't wait to see more of this - hopefully the company will offer a discount to first-buyers. It sounds like it'll be expensive, like most things are that save energy.
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not really weird it is the same sort of idea behind rock polishing
just a different way to apply the same basic idea.
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- tommytripper
- 5 months ago
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I'm Wit it..
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- Herbal_Minded
- 5 months ago
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wow. That's awesome! let's do eet!
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- rockstarmillionaire
- 5 months ago
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Finally someone in corporate world listens. We need more green products.
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I think this woulld do wonders for our economy
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- moonzNstarz
- 5 months ago
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this thing is sick! i want one.
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- currentlilmexbro
- 5 months ago
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Cool...I'd buy one.
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Thats awesome. I love reading about things like this, which have to potential to have a huge positive impact. Hopefully one day, we can cut water usage to drinking water only, and then with everything else electric, you could utilize solar panels to have a home that would be almost completely self sufficient. Once we get to that point, not only will our planet be a better place, but it will pave the way for space exploration and colonization. Great stuff!
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- TentativeChaos
- 5 months ago
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they should make the beads and stuff that will work in existing washing machines. Then more people could afford to buy it. I would try it.
But I don't know if I could afford (ever) to purchase a brand new system to do it.
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- arcticspirit
- 5 months ago
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