• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world
Thursday, February 9, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Matt Hickman

Kicking your knickers

'Swirl,' a nonelectric washing machine/laundry basket/water barrel/toy is designed to make laundering a less-laborious, more-fun task for residents of developing nations.

Mon, Feb 08 2010 at 8:56 AM EST

Photos: designaffairs STUDIO
I spend a fair amount of time collecting quarters and whining about/dreading laundry day. (I’m a renter living without the luxury of an in-building or in-unit washer/dryer). Sigh. But it's design concepts like ‘Swirl’ that really put my must-schlep-to-the-laundromat angst into perspective.
 
Like the ‘Bicilavadora’ bike-powered washing machine that I blogged about last year, ‘Swirl’ is designed for those living in developing countries where electricity and water supplies are scarce ... areas where laundering can be a truly arduous process. And like ‘Bicilavadora’, ‘Swirl’ is meant to make laundry time a dare-I-say-enjoyable process. It also “aims to enhance a social cultural relationship between women and children, making washing a fun and easy experience.”
 
Germany's Designaffairs STUDIO’s ‘Swirl,’ as you can see, is a colorful, spherical “washing ball” that does the dirt-busting deed when in rotation … kick it, toss it, rock it, roll it, use it in a soccer game for really tough stains. When not being used as an electricity-free washing machine, ‘Swirl’ can serve as both a laundry basket and an easy-to-transport water barrel. 
 
For specifics on how exactly ‘Swirl’ works, check out the renderings below. What do you think? Could this be a playfully practical laundry solution in parts of the world where washing clothes is much more than just a whine-worthy chore? 
 
Via [Designboom]
 
CLOSE link:
Previous Post
Playing catch up: Wintery mix
   Next Post
Indiana home scores LEED touchdown
You might also like:
Related Topics: Green Design, Water

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    Login
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use
THURSDAY'S BEST BETS

       tease to ecollywood

       tease to squatter

       tease to toxic plants for cats

ADVERTISEMENT

TOP MEMBERSJoin Now
  • poland.jr
    21026 points
  • ecomainegirl
    9320 points
  • achase
    9314 points
  • LauraB
    5049 points
  • Momof2
    4479 points
All members

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS