Haier gears up to launch WasH20

LONDON: Chinese company Haier is gearing up to launch an environment friendly washing machine, which cleans clothes without detergent, in the UK markets.

The WasH20, as the machine is called, was introduced in China last year. The manufacturer has sold about 200,000 machines to date. Priced at about 500 pounds, the new machine is now to hit French markets in November, and in the UK early next year.

Washing detergents comprise of petroleum-based chemicals that pass into rivers and seas via sewers. Since they do not completely degrade, they cause a lot of damage to the natural habitats of water-based plants and animals.

Researchers at the company say that their machine works by passing an electric current through the water used in the cycle to create acid and alkaline atoms, which take over the role of washing powder, liquid or tablets.

"The electrolysis process causes a separation of the water into OH- ions and H+ ions," the Telegraph quoted Gilles Montrichard of Haier France as saying. "The OH- ions remove the dirt. The H+ ions acts like bleach. They acidify the water, sterilising the clothes," Montrichard added.

The researchers claim that their invention cleans clothes around 25 per cent more effectively than other models that are currently available. They, however, admit that a detergent-free wash is not as effective for certain stubborn stains, such as those caused by contact with grass or coffee, and that is why the machine will also have an optional detergent wash mode.

Haier has also admitted that their machine will not be suitable for cleaning woollen garments. "It will probably work to a certain extent, but I'd be sceptical about claims that it cleans more effectively than detergent," said Dr Anthony Kucernak, a reader in physical chemistry at Imperial College London.

"Making the water more alkaline makes it better at impregnating clothes and that would help wash stuff out," he added.