Foot washing machine
Mechanical washing machines - what are they? Museum piece or cutting-edge development? Most likely, both, because, as you know, “everything new is a well-forgotten old.” In this article we will describe a modern portable washing machine with a foot drive. We will talk about the prospects for the development of such technology, describe the characteristics of a model that has already appeared on the market, and also consider its advantages and disadvantages.
Areas of application
Having looked at a brief history of the appearance and development of washing machines, we can easily see that the first washing machine had a mechanical drive, and washing in it was carried out thanks to human muscular power. After a very short time, washing machines became electric, and for 100 years no one thought of creating or promoting mechanical models.
About 100 years ago, electric washing machines easily replaced mechanical ones, and now, such equipment again wanted to pinch off a small piece of the huge market.
Indeed, what is the prospect of a mechanical washing machine that washes thanks to human muscle power? After all, the very essence of a washing machine is to free a person from the unpleasant task associated with hand washing, and here it’s not enough just to buy a washing machine, but also work hard to wash the clothes. Any average person will immediately think of a bar of soap, a washboard and a trough - cheap and cheerful.
Modern developers have created, so far, the only mechanical washing machine of its kind, which is powered by repeated presses of the foot pedal. This type of washing machine should be used somewhere on vacation in order to wash a small amount of laundry without ruining the manicure. Also, a mechanical washing machine can be used in any place where there is no electricity and along with a conventional automatic washing machine. Let's talk about its characteristics in more detail.
Model overview
On the modern washing machine market we can find only one, albeit actively promoted, mechanical model - Drumi, developed by the Canadian company YIREGO. In addition to this machine, there is also AQUA Coton, but the principle of its operation is different, so we will not talk about it. Drumi is precisely a mechanical washing machine that is driven by a human foot. Hence the name – foot washer. This washing machine became a real hit in 2015, all information sites devoted to modern technology invariably wrote about it. What are the features of Drumi?
- Pedal drive.
- Unusual appearance.
- Portability.
The main thing, of course, is the unusual nature of the development itself. None of the modern manufacturers have ever done or sold this, which means that the first sales were due at least to the genuine interest of users in the new washing machine. The first sales took place in July 2016 in Canada and the USA, but development has not yet progressed further due to either its high cost (about $190), or due to the lack of interest on the part of the European user, or simply not enough time has passed, and the market did not have time to react to the new product properly.
Drumi has the following characteristics: a pedal mechanical drive, the use of which does not require much effort on the part of the user, a load of 2.2 kg of laundry, a height of only 56 cm, hot water consumption - up to 5 liters, and most importantly, 3 laundry care cycles. It may seem strange to some, but Drumi is capable of not only washing, but also rinsing and spinning, and all this is done by pressing a pedal. As for the sizes, they are worthy of the most small-sized washing machines existing in the world.
It works like this:
- load dirty laundry into the machine, add powder;
- Next, pour hot water into the washing tank;
- close the lid and begin to press the pedal with low intensity for 5 minutes;
- then open the lid and drain the dirty water;
- pour clean warm water, close the lid again and press the pedal for 3 minutes;
- drain the water again, close the lid and press the pedal again for 2-3 minutes;
- drain the squeezed water and that’s it – the washing is finished.
Surprisingly, the clothes washed with Drumi have the same residual moisture as after being spun in an automatic washing machine. Not bad, considering that we are talking about a mechanical washing machine.
Advantages and disadvantages
Now let's note the pros and cons of Drumi, no matter how strange it may sound, but this technique has many more advantages than disadvantages. Let's start with the advantages.
- The washing machine has very small dimensions, which allows you to take it with you on vacation.
- It does not require an electrical connection.
- Can wash small portions of laundry, up to two pairs of socks and panties.
- Saves a lot of water and washing powder.
- This is the only mechanical washing machine of its kind that can spin clothes.
- Washing, rinsing and spinning are done very quickly, much faster than in a standard automatic washing machine.
- The washing machine looks very stylish, you wouldn’t be embarrassed to show it to your friends on vacation and place it in the middle of the room. In addition, the washing machine has a very convenient carrying handle, and considering that it weighs only 7 kg, you can carry it anywhere.
The Drumi washing machine also has its disadvantages, and the main disadvantage can be considered not even the price, but the availability. Currently, the original model of this washing machine can only be purchased in Canada and the USA, or you can order such a washing machine in local English-language online stores. You will have to overpay for shipping, plus you will have to wait until it arrives; not all buyers accept this.
In general, the washing machine turned out to be very, very decent. Against the background of the advantages that this technique has in its arsenal, the foot drive is somehow invisible, because in fact it does not create any special inconvenience for the user. Try to get a similar foot washer and we are almost sure that you will not have to regret it!
Interesting:
8 reader comments
I would like to buy such a washing machine. Tell me where to order it?
What price?
Amazing!!! I want that.
Please tell me where and through what link I can order a portable foot-operated washing machine “Drumi”, and what is its price?
We need to look among amateur garage workshops for a generalist enthusiast who can manufacture and set up production of such portable washing machines. Given the presence in our country of multi-talented big-headed specialists in all sorts of things, the manufacture and production of small-sized Drumi washing machines will not be particularly difficult due to the simple, uncomplicated design of the product. The main difficulty will be the holdouts and those who do not allow the destroyers from the bureaucratic Putin ecumene.
The price is $319, that's a bargain! It's like it's stuffed with electronics. Its price is no more than 5 thousand rubles. must be.
It is written, buy only in the online store of Canada and the USA, for $300. And that doesn't include delivery.
Isn't it easier to wash it by hand?