Gentlewasher washes your delicate clothes with the care they deserve

By Lulu Chang June 2, 2017

gentlewasher - how it works

We all know that grandma knows best, so if grandma washed all her clothes by hand, perhaps you ought to consider the same. But don’t worry — this isn’t your grandma’s washer. Rather, this is the Gentlewasher, heralded as the most sustainable washing device in the world.

Promising the most delicate touch for your most delicate fabrics, the Gentlewasher can clean your lace lingerie, your cashmere sweaters, your silk nightgowns, and just about anything else. While you do have to operate the washer by hand, you will not have to spend hours cleaning your clothes. Rather, the Gentlewasher team says you can wash a load in as little as five minutes. So if you have a big closet and a big heart when it comes to the environment, this may just be the addition to your household you have been waiting for.

Intended to keep you away from the washer when you only have half a load (but a desperate load at that), the Gentlewasher claims to use just 1.9 gallons per cubic feet, and that it is 50 to 100 percent more efficient than your average washing machine. It also requires less detergent, which is not only good for your wallet but for your clothes and the environment, too.

Weighing in at just 24 pounds, you can take this washer with you on camping trips or other adventures that might benefit from clean clothes every now and then. And because the Gentlewasher’s design incorporates lots of ventilation, even if you forget your clothes inside as you are off exploring a new trail, you should not need to worry about mildew or bad smells.

The operation is straightforward — just drop your clothes in, fill the Gentlewasher with water and then turn the crank with your hands. Thanks to the appliance’s patented drum profile, your clothes will be “mixed extensively with water and detergent.” If you have a particularly tough stain, just leave it in the Gentlewasher to soak for about a half hour before you start churning.

You can reserve your Gentlewasher now for $300 from Indiegogo and expect delivery in about two weeks.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Emerging Tech

This sleek new exoskeleton makes walking easier, fits under your clothes

vanderbilt ankle exoskeleton legs exosuit

When it comes to robotic exoskeletons, many of the rigs on the market put the fact that users are wearing a mobile robot front and center. These are tools like LG’s SuitBot, supportive robot tech that’s as noticeable as having a muscular personal trainer spotting your every exercise in the gym. And why not? If the goal of these exosuits is to help workers carry out heavy lifting tasks in places like warehouses, a conspicuous wearable robot is just another type of uniform to be worn on the job.

But how about supportive tech that is designed to be utilized in everyday life, such as helping elderly people to walk when they have age-related impaired lower-leg muscle strength? In these scenarios, customers may well seek a lightweight, low-profile alternative; preferably one that can be worn under everyday clothing. That’s what mechanical engineering researchers from Vanderbilt University have created with a new ankle exoskeleton developed to help people to walk without fatiguing -- and, crucially, without restricting natural motion or drawing attention to itself.

Emerging Tech

This oddball Japanese robot will fold your clothes and do your laundry

mira robotics ugo robot clothes robitics feat

Mira Roboticsの家事支援ロボット「ugo」のデモ

There have been a few attempts to create autonomous house robots which can carry out everyday chores like folding our clothes. A new robot created by Japanese company Mira Robotics puts a slightly different spin on things, however. They have developed a robot called Ugo, designed to help carry out a variety of household chores. The catch? That it's remotely controlled by a teleoperator. In other words, it’s a bit like hiring a housekeeper with the difference that they never physically visit your home, but rather remote control a robot for a few hours each week.

Photography

Photography news: Careful, self-driving cars can ruin your camera sensor

Canon EOS R Review

Afraid of missing out on the latest photo industry news while you’re out, well, actually taking pictures? Photography News of the Week is all the news you might have missed this week, published on the weekends. Alongside the biggest stories of the week, like Nikon’s new budget zooms, the new Fujifilm 100-200mm lens, GoPro Fusion’s firmware update, and the new Sony A6400, find briefs on the latest in accessories and photography news from this week.
Photographers, beware: Self-driving car lasers can wreak havoc on your camera
Some types of direct light -- such as a solar eclipse or laser shows -- can permanently damage a camera’s digital sensor. But there’s another more “hidden” light source that can ruin a good camera: Self-driving cars.

According to Ars Technica, autonomous vehicle engineer Jit Ray Chowdhury was photographing a self-driving car by Ridecell with a lidar unit on top, a system that uses lasers to determine distance. Those lasers appeared to burn a spot in the camera’s sensor; subsequent pictures had two purple flare spots in the same location, suggesting the sensor is damaged.