Proposal


 * Issues to Approach**

Personal hygiene is vital to life as it prevents health issues, such as illnesses and the spread of diseases. Maintaining the cleanliness of clothing is an important aspect of personal hygiene. We intend to investigate if the regular cleaning of clothing will significantly reduce cases of illnesses. Thus, washing machines are an essential technology in our daily lives.


 * Proposed Design**

Our redesigned product is a washing machine. ‘Wash and Roll' works by the simple movement of rolling; eliminating the need for a constant supply of electricity. Its cylindrical shape enables it to roll on almost any surface while it is attached to a cart. This product not only places a focus on the health portion of basic human needs, but also touches upon the transport portion. In terms of transportation, the Wash and Roll may act as a wheel for a cart/trolley. This way, the user can simultaneously wash clothing and use it as wheels for their cart while engaging in everyday activities, such as transporting goods to the market. The Wash and Roll will be made of LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene); the same material the Q Drum is composed of (Q Drum Ltd 2008). This brings an advantage to our design because it can resist higher impact and puncture than LDPE (AZoM 2010). The use of LLDPE in the Q Drum is even described as being “practically indestructible” (Q Drum Ltd 2008).


 * Sustainability of Design**

Since the Wash and Roll does not consume and function on electricity, this ultimately reduces the usage of energy. Of which is especially useful for countries that live on a shortage of energy. With zero consumption of energy, this results in zero pollution, making it an environmentally friendly product. Therefore, long term usage of Wash and Roll will not place any strain on the environment and the users’ electricity bill. Moreover, the water can be used up to a few times before the disposing of it. The grey water from it may also be recycled in the house or garden or treated for reuse. Our product helps to improve the development of underserved countries by reducing cases of illnesses, hence, lowering the costs of health care.


 * Target Audience**

In the case of targeting underserved communities, we aim to improve the lifestyle of people whom live on a shortage of energy and lack sufficient health care. In a broader sense, this design will help improve the current lifestyle of low/middle social class people through its low cost, efficiency, and effectiveness. Depending on the area the user is living in and the users’ financial condition, store-bought detergent may not be available or accessible. Therefore, detergent substitutes can be used, such as lemon juice; an inexpensive natural cleanser. Although the performance of the Wash and Roll is weaker than electronic washing machines, regular use of it will still dramatically constitute to cleaner living conditions. Another concern the Wash and Roll addresses is the need for transporting items. In Asian countries, it is not common to own a car, but very common to own a trolley. Hence, this design targets daily cart users whom would like to wash clothing while pushing/pulling their cart.


 * Background Research on How Washing Machines Work**

In the past, people cleaned their clothing by rubbing them onto a scrubbing board. Some people are still cleaning clothing this way even today, but clearly, this method takes too much time and effort. Washing machines use water mixed with detergent to clean the clothing by spinning it rapidly, to spin out the dirt.

However, washing machines require a huge amount of water and electricity per load. For example, using hot/warm water to wash a load of clothing uses 5.24kWh/load, which is 58 cents for each load, costing $226 per year (Bluejay 2009). Different washing machines have different power settings, the average washing machine uses about 500-600 kilowatt electricity daily (Bluejay 2009). According to statistics, using hot water to clean for a year is equal to leaving the refrigerator door open 24 hours a day for a year (Bluejay 2009). Although many people can afford this, but is this a necessary expenditure? Also, a decent washing machine is not cheap at all; the average is about $900-1000.


 * Similar Existing Technologies**


 * Spin Cycle**

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Some MIT students invented a new kind of washer called the "Spin Cycle" (Chandler 2009). This concept combines the function of a washing machine and a bicycle (Chandler 2009). It requires human-power to wash clothing. For some people who live in slum areas, a washing machine is a dream to them; moreover, nobody is willing to spend a huge amount of water and electricity for only keeping their clothing clean. In other words, such people are in need of a new invention of a washing machine.


 * Hand-Crank**

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Another hand-wash-machine is called “Hand-Crank” (Preethi 2009); this is similar to the “Spin Cycle" (Chandler 2009). However, this one is hand-cranked instead of riding a bicycle to give energy. This is also a portable washing machine, so people can carry this around. Hence, these two ideas have given us a lot of inspiration.


 * Inspiration**

Our design was inspired by the Q Drum designed by P. J. and J. P. S. Hendrikse (Smith). Since the Q Drum is a “rollable water container” (Q Drum Ltd 2008), it can transport water and other liquids by rolling. After our thorough observation, we noticed that the shape of the Q Drum resembles the shape of the inside of a typical electronic washing machine. Also, the rolling action of the Q Drum is similar to the spinning action of a washing machine. This has inspired us to combine the shape and movement of the Q Drum with the functions of a washing machine. For more information on the Q Drum, please visit [].


 * Works Cited**

AZOM (2010). //Linear Low Density Polyethylene – LLDPE//. Online at: < [] >, consulted on March 12, 2010.

BLUEJAY, Michael (2009). //How to save money on the use of washing machines (clothes washers).// Online at: < [] >, consulted on March 11, 2010.

CHANDLER, David (2009). //Spin Cycle: a new kind of washer (Video).// Online at: < [] >, consulted on March 12, 2010.

PREETHI (2009). //Hand-Crank Washing Machine – Wash Your Clothes The Eco-Friendly Way//. Online at: < [] >, consulted on March 12, 2010.

Q DRUM LTD (2008). //Q Drum the rollable water container for developing countries//. Online at: < [] >, consulted on March 1, 2010.

SMITH, Cynthia E. //DESIGN FOR THE OTHER 90%.// Online at: < [|http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/q- drum] >, consulted on March 1, 2010.