Greener Gadget: Laundry POD

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Alissa Wilson-Williams in Gear+Gadgets

For those of you who want to extend your sustainable practices to your laundry basket, but aren’t into flipping your skivvies inside-out for another go, the Laundry POD should be at the top of your Greener Gadgets wish-list. Compact enough to fit under your kitchen sink, this portable laundering device washes and damp-dries small loads using a minimal amount of water and zero electricity.

The Laundry POD concept was conceived by California-based design team, RKS, while attempting to improve the design and performance of salad spinners. While researching precedents the team learned that greens are not the only items being spun dry by salad spinners; some women find them ideal for quickly and delicately desiccating their unmentionables. Being the clever innovators that they are, RKS rapidly identified the potential of integrating their salad spinning technology into a portable laundering device; and so the POD’s seed was sewn.

While the Laundry POD may have been designed with negligee in mind, it is also perfect for small washes that don’t justify expending the water or electricity necessary to run a conventional machine. Or, if you are anything like myself during my college years, lack the time or motivation to make a run to the laundromat. Just place your clothes in the tub, add water and detergent (preferably the eco-friendly variety), allow to marinate for 5 to 10 minutes, then set it spinning by pumping the collapsible hand lever located on the top of the device. After the clothes are sufficiently suds a drain latch is released, emptying the spent water into a removable reservoir. Repeat the steps to rinse your clothing, then pump your apparel to a damp dry using the same unit, sans water.

Aside from requiring zero electricity to function, the Laundry POD boasts additional sustainable attributes. It is made from recycled materials and according to the designers, the graywater drained from the unit can be used to water plants or flush toilets. If, for some reason, your plants aren’t aching for a nice sudsy sip of water and your toilet isn’t in need of liquid assistance, you could probably use the graywater to wash your bicycle or car. Regardless, the Laundry POD is an innovative little gadget perfect for dorms, apartments, camping or anyone looking to add a little green to their laundry bag. Luckily, the POD placed fourth in the Greener Gadgets 2009 Design Competition and RKS is experienced at bringing designs to the market, so chances are you will soon be able to add this sleek little clothing cleanser to your sustainable repertoire.

Check Out GreenUpgrader’s Coverage of Greener Gadgets 2009 Part 1

Check Out GreenUpgrader’s Coverage of Greener Gadgets 2009 Part 2

This Laundy POD and the Indoor Drying Rack go together like peas in a pod

images taken from greenergadgets.com

Tags:

greener gadgets, laundry, Laundry POD, Portable Washing Machine

11 Responses to “ Greener Gadget: Laundry POD ”

Beth

06. Mar, 2009

This is SO cool!! What a great green option for us apartment dwellers reluctant to invest in their own bulky (and expensive) washer and dryer.

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Nancy

21. Mar, 2009

Where can the Laundry Pod be purchased???

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ASandy

21. Mar, 2009

so cool, but I can’t find where to get it or how much.

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Darbie

21. Mar, 2009

Where can i buy this?!!!!!!!! Does any one kow how much it is!!

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Matt Embrey

21. Mar, 2009

Unfortunately this is still just a concept so it’s not for sale, but you can buy this http://www.cleanairgardening.com/portable-washing-machine.html which is very similar.

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Barb from RKS

23. Mar, 2009

First, a big thank you to GreenUPGRADER for the great post!

Matt’s correct that the Laundry POD is still in concept phase at this time, so it’s not yet available for sale.

However, the product he links to doesn’t do anything to extract the water from the clean clothes like the Laundry POD does. That’s one of the Laundry POD’s key advantages.

Hopefully, with all the interest in the Laundry POD, we’ll be able to get it into production and into stores soon.

Thanks again,

Barb from RKS

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- Colin Docherty
  
  01. May, 2009
  
  Would like to know when this product has been manufactured, and whether it might be available in the U.K?
  
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mary

24. Mar, 2009

this will be huge- I hope you bring it to market soon!

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Tanya

22. Apr, 2009

Could I be a product tester? Moving aboard our sailboat to travel for a year. Family of four would love this product.!

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surya

01. Nov, 2009

hey dude.. great post.. thanks

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Sites linking to this post:

Laundry Pod « doch.org.uk

16. May, 2009

[...] Okay guys, this is just a repost of an article from Green Upgrader. But its so cool and simple I really felt it was worth mentioning. I imagine this would be a great [...]

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