Crean washer that uses almost no water or chemicals

Wash clothing and almost no water without using chemicals. This is the proposal of a company in the UK working on a prototype machine that saves water, energy and does not harm the environment.

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The machine developed by the company Xeros and based on research conducted by experts from the University of Leeds-consumes 90% less water than a traditional washing machine uses 40% less energy.

Taking the example the U.S. case, if you replace all traditional washing with this model, they say its creators, would save 1,200 million metric tons of water per year, equivalent to 17 million pools.

In terms of the ecological footprint, would like to remove from circulation about five million cars.

For laundry, the machine requires a small nylon balls, a small measure of detergent and a minimal amount of water.

These bumps act like water when mixed with wet clothes in the drum of the machine, absorb the dirt trapped in the materials.

The process was discovered by Professor Stephen Burkinshaw, a specialist in textile chemistry, that after studying for years how the polymers absorb the dye to change color, tested them to assess their ability to absorb stains.

Recyclable

After the cycle, no need to remove the balls from the washing machine. "They withstand up to 500 passes," he told BBC News Steve Jenkins, technical director of Xeros. "Once I sucked all the dirt possible, they can be recycled or reused," he added.

This means that they can be melted again to extract the dirt, and in cases where this is not possible, they can be used in other applications where color is not an issue.

"Basically, it never goes to waste."

In practical terms the Xerox machine offers the same results as the others: "Removes stains such as ketchup, grass and dirt in general, although, like the other devices-is less efficient when it comes of coffee or tea stains, "says Jenkins.

Although "says" has an additional advantage: "As used very little water, dry clothes and almost out unwrinkled.

Currently, experts working in the final phase of a prototype for an industrial machine, but believe that the washing machine for domestic use may be ready within about three years.

As for the cost, estimated that the price can exceed 10% or 15% that of a traditional washer.