DETERGENT-FREE WASHING MACHINE: New Appliance Cleans Clothes with Ultrasonic Waves October 5, 2001 Sanyo Electric Co., one of the leading home-appliance manufacturers in Japan, has developed the first washing machine in the world that can clean clothes without using detergent. Although the machine can work without detergent only if the clothes are not very dirty to begin with, the appearance of this new machine is good news for people who have extremely sensitive skin and must limit their use of detergent or who just want to save money on detergent. The appliance has been a focus of consumers' attention since it went on the market in August, and Sanyo appears almost certain to achieve its annual sales target of 300,000 units. Choice of Two Modes The new washing machine is a hybrid that operates in two different modes: detergent mode and nondetergent mode. If the clothing is dirtied by stubborn grease or mud, the user selects detergent mode. Laundry that is not greasy or muddy, such as towels, underwear, and pajamas, can be washed without detergent. The slogan for the new washing machine is "Wash with ultrasonic waves and electrolyzed water." The machine uses the power of ultrasonic waves to dissolve detergent extrathoroughly and the power of electrolyzed water to break down dirt and disinfect. Cost-Saving and Environment-Friendly Appliance   Your Name What did you think of this article? It was interesting. It was boring. Send this article to a friend The nondetergent mode of the new washing machine is drawing a lot of attention; the appliance is being heralded as a "detergent-free washing machine." Although only relatively unsoiled clothes can actually be washed without detergent, users of the new machine can save a considerable amount of money not only on detergent but also on water and electricity, because no rinse water is required when washing in nondetergent mode. According to some calculations, the new machine can save the user 12,000 yen (100 U.S. dollars at 120 yen to the dollar) a year on detergent alone. The use of less detergent also makes this an environment-friendly product. Sanyo has no current plans to export the washing machine, because a lot of research remains to be done to ensure that the machine's nondetergent function would hold up in parts of the world where the quality of the water is considerably different from Japan's. Still, Sanyo's new washing machine is an exciting development in terms of protecting the environment, saving energy, and reducing the cost of doing laundry. Copyright (c) 2001 Japan Information Network. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.