In the past, living “off the grid” or reducing your carbon footprint could admittedly be a task when it came to having clean clothes at the ready. But finally, there is a solution — enter the Yirego Drumi, a 22-inch tall electricity-free washing machine that is powered by a foot pedal, requiring only your energy to run it.
The Yirego Drumi encompasses an interior ball drum that holds a small load of laundry (about six or seven items or about five pounds worth), detergent, and water, which is then spun when the foot pedal is pumped. According to the manufacturer, this little laundry doer uses 80 percent less water and detergent than a typical washing machine; however, keep in mind that it cannot handle the capacity that typical washing machines can.
Each load the Drumi runs requires 10 liters of water — half of that is needed for the wash cycle, the other half for the rinse cycle. Used water can be released from the unit at the push of a button. It is ideal for delicate fabrics (so say goodbye to tiresome hand-washing!) and it requires less time than a typical public washing at a Laundromat. In fact, the Drumi requires only five minutes of “pumping” time — two minutes for the wash cycle, two minutes for the rinse, and one minute for the spin. It can handle washing jeans, but it is not recommended for washing larger items such as towels and bed linens.
Special features of the Drumi include a transparent dome that can be used for water measurement, an ergonomic handle for easy transport, and a textured foot pedal for easy grip with or without shoes. The detergent tray can hold up to three different detergents at one time and is also self-cleaning. The company notes that the Drumi can be used in a dry or wet area (imagine the multi-tasking effort of washing your clothing while showering, perhaps?) and does not generate any energy costs. In fact, the company estimates that those currently relying on a public laundromat can see 100 percent of their return on the purchase of a Drumi within one year. It also has the potential to be constructed with up to 40 percent recycled materials.
Whether you’re trying to cut back on energy usage or you could use this little baby during a camping trip, the Yirego Drumi could be just the thing for you.