Reduce Water and Sewer Use with Washing Machine Attachment

[VideoGameCoupons]

O..hOLYcRAP! Scares me a lot… :O

[billmalta1]

I am curently using the slow sand filter for all my washing i got 4 flats for rent that are all functioning the same way i bieleve that i am saving about 20000 to 30000 litres yearly with that system depending how business is going. look out for it !!!

[kennyt1230]

Didn't this exist on washers in the 1960's-1970's. I believe it was called a 'suds saver". When I lived in Turkey in the late 80's I would put the drain hose in a large plastic garbage drum and pour it into the washer with a bucket. Low tech but it worked just the same.

[humecarl]

Yes, they were wonderful machines, but they required a side tup and extra pump. The EcoWash is simpler. But I wish someone would bring back the suds saver. I believe in low-tech approaches: e.g. flushing a toilet with a bucket of grey water from a bath/shower tub.

[bannol]

@kennyt1230 I used to have a Westinghouse top loader with the suds saver feature and loved it. I don't understand why manufacturers discontinue such wonderful, simple and effective features.

[chinkie1981]

can you use something like to save the water and then use for watering the grass or plants is it safe

[humecarl]

Surf the net for "grey water gardens" and you'll get plenty of advice.

[shanintia]

It's called countercurrent washing and most manufacturers use this concept. Its a good one!  Saving the clean water for the last rinse cycle only. The dirtiest water can be used on the dirtiest batch of washing! It dirty, who cares, as long as it gets rinsed clean in the end.

[humecarl]

I didn't know "most manufacturers" embrace "counercurrent" technologies. I know the old "suds-saver" machines did, but they needed a separate tank and seem to have passed out of style.Would be interested in learning more about the machines you have in mind.

[shanintia]

Oops, I just realized that my comment is misleading. By manufacturers I meant industrial plants, such as paper mills and the like. Countercurrent washing is similar to the concept here in this video.

[deltaboy767]

That is a Belt Driven Kenmore washer. I know that sound anywhere.

[humecarl]

You're right (our kenmore has proven reliable, durable)! How did you develope such a good ear?

Car;

[humecarl]

Common sense is required. Obviously, one wouldn't save the soapy cycle from a load of, say, heavily soiled jeans. But the soapy cycle of a load of whites can often be reused for the soapy cycle of, say, jeans. Rinse cycles always use fresh water but soap can be added to water from a rinse cycle for a subsequent first cycle if desired. Of course, all of this will seem silly to someone who does not see fresh water as a precious resource.

[Rimmer66]

You gotta be fucking kidding me - is this a fucking joke ??? Why the fuck would you want to reuse DIRTY water ? That's like saying you save water from your bath for further showers - that is SICK - the goal is to clean your clothes, the stains, smells and dirt go down with the dirty water and replenished with new water that is the whole point you IDIOT!

[jkalin196511]

Washer from the 50's through the 70's had an option called suds-saver where you can save water from a load of less dirty clothes and reuse it. It is a very good idea. When my mother used a ringer washer she changed the water after every load unless it was something really dirty then she would change it. It's not sick, it's saving water. Get a clue!

[jkalin196511]

Hey rimmer66 nice vocabulary you have there.

[truthislove911]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing this.

[humecarl]

Still hoping to get some person/non-profit to get up a simple kit for this widget. I know there is a market for it.

[desertblbuesman]

thank you for this. A good example of someone who understands the meaning of and necessity for "I am responsible" and "it's that simple". If there is room I would recommend mounting tank up on a floor stand.

[humecarl]

A idea. I designed it with apt. dwellers in mind. Actually, the tank on top turned out to work very well (remember, the tank has to be above the machine to allow the gravity component of the reuse system).

[desertblbuesman]

yes, if there is limited room, your setup is right on. If room permitted I meant a floor stand that places the tank up near the ceiling.

[humecarl]

Why not get up a kit that could be marketed at a reasonable price? I know there is a market for such things; maybe a non-profit group would help finance such a project.

[libbieyoung1]

damn skippy!! I cant wait to set this up at home. Love the idea of using my rinse water to wash!! Thanks for the 'recycled' idea

[humecarl]

Massive amounts of water/soap/heating can be saved this way. Let me know if you'd like to get the specs on the EcoWash.

Carl Hedman

[gennytte]

Hey there, I'm doing my own low-tech water saving. All you need are buckets! As an added bonus, hauling buckets of water is a great workout! Really hits the glutes. :) I just posted my video.

[michaelc6012]

its cheaper to use more water less electrity I found beween a Hoover (a3060) electronic and a Hswf 167 (2005) 2 hours for 90'c wash compared to 75 minutes on a3060

[humecarl]

Interesting. My gizmo is very rudimentary, but my wife loved reusing water(heat) up to three times. Shades of our mother's water reusing dual tub washing machines. (Now I seem to recall they were called "suds-savers".)

Carl Hedman

[opaulo9]

Thank you, this is great. I link yr precious video to my page, enabling more people could see it.

I really appreciate your work in making a real working model. Unfortuntely most of the big environmental companies, do not produce any tangible result, they spend millions of taxpayers' money on conferences in the nicest holiday resorts of the world, - expensive hotels, restaurants, travel cost, etc., then issue expensive publications. But you do something wich is a real example. Paul

[humecarl]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I agree completely with your critique of big, corporate "solutions" to our water problems. Typical of our social order. Oh well, someday people may realize they have to problem solve in different ways.

[humecarl]

How to get this device seen by lots of people?