A foot-powered washing machine that uses no electricity and minimal amounts of water

It is easy to use and ideal for mobile living

It is easy to use and ideal for mobile living

This electricity-free washer, called ‘the Drumi’, is a foot-pedal powered washing machine that uses up to 80% less water and detergent than a typical one. Each load requires 10 L of water (5L for a wash cycle and another 5L for the rinse), when a standard washing machine uses around 40-70L of water per cycle and 500W of power on average. It weighs less than 10kg, and can accommodate a small load of clothing (5-7 pieces/2 kg per time). Due to its small dimensions (50cm*45cm*45cm), it is easy to store, making it ideal for small houses, camping trips and college students. It would also be useful during power outages or when you're trying to avoid running a load until you have enough to fill your machine.

The total wash time is only about 5-10 minutes, with a wash cycle taking up to 3 min. depending on how many items you place in it, a rinse cycle taking 2 min. and then 1 additional min. for spinning out excess water. The lid of the Drumi can be used to measure and add water, and a twist valve on the back of the machine will release the water.

Behind this machinery is YiREGO, a Toronto-based household design company, focused on creating environmentally sustainable solutions through unconventional designs. Multiple prototypes have been made since 2012, until they developed the latest version and they have already won 5 awards, including that of James Dyson in 2015. Their Indiegogo campaign finished last January andreached 224% of its original goal.

The development of prototypes since October 2012