Samsung Less Microfiber Filters stop our laundry from destroying our oceans

Sometimes it’s the small things that can have the biggest impacts because they’re taken for granted until they snowball into a catastrophe. Small pieces of trash thrown haphazardly gather to become mounds of garbage that block drains and cause floods. Even the way we clean our clothes, unbeknownst to us, can actually kill our seas and oceans in the long run. That’s the unfortunate side effect of having microplastics in the textiles we use, too small to distinguish from the wastewater we drain out of our washing machines. Fortunately, we now know better, and companies like Samsung are lending a helping hand to make sure that our personal hygiene won’t be causing harm to the planet for generations to come.

Designer: Samsung

Given how essential they are both to our comfort and our style, we take for granted what mass-produced clothes are made of. Unfortunately, the synthetic textiles used in many of them actually shed small pieces of plastic or microplastics in our wash. Of course, we simply drain the dirty water like any other, and these microplastics find their way into our oceans, along with the other bits of broken-down plastics from the garbage we carelessly throw away.

Now that the microfiber cat is out of the bag, eco-conscious people are moving quickly to clean up the mess, literally and figuratively. Since it will be next to impossible to immediately change the textile that produces these microplastics, the most efficient solution would be to stop laundry machines from spitting out these minute particles in the first place. That’s where Samsung’s new Less Microfiber Filter comes in, promising to capture as much as 98% of these microplastics before they even hit the drain. The company says that this mass is equivalent to eight 500ml plastic bottles per year if the wash is used four times a week.

The filter is designed with a rather minimalist aesthetic and can be mounted on top of any standard washing machine, not just Samsung’s. The box itself is made from recycled plastics and is shipped in sustainable packaging. It’s also engineered to be long-lasting, maintainable, and convenient to use, requiring cleaning about once a month only. The filter works in conjunction with Samsung’s new Less Microfiber Cycle mode launched last year, which attempts to reduce the shedding of microplastics during washing.

Samsung’s filter, which is available only in South Korea and the UK for now, isn’t the only solution available today. What makes this launch important, however, is the acknowledgment of a major appliance maker of a problem that very few people are aware of. As one of the biggest washing machine manufacturers, it also has an equally big responsibility in righting this wrong, and the filter is a nice and admittedly stylish first step in that direction.

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This innovative machine keeps the planet clean while you get your laundry done

There are two chores that seem to be universally disliked or avoided by people of all ages. Washing dishes is one of those, even though it’s probably an easier task than most. Doing laundry, on the other hand, is indeed more laborious, especially if you consider that putting clean clothes away is part of the process. We have all sorts of advanced machines and substances that try to make life easier in that regard, but only as far as humans are concerned. It might come as a surprise that keeping our clothes clean can actually have a detrimental effect on the environment, though not because of the activity itself. Modern-day clothes and fabrics are at the heart of the problem, and this small yet ingenious device solves that in a way that won’t harm the environment in the long run, either.

Designer: Adam Root of Matter

Click Here to Buy Now: $169 $280 (40% off). Hurry, only 18/475 left! Raised over $115,000.

Gulp – The design stops microplastic pollution from your laundry, with zero additional filter costs and no disposable parts.

We take clothes for granted because most of them are cheap to make and look harmless as far as sustainability goes. It’s a rather dirty secret of the textile and fashion industry, however, that many of the materials and processes used to make most fabrics are harming the planet. In addition to toxic chemicals used in dying fabrics, there are microplastics in the synthetic fibers used in making our clothes, tiny particles that eventually make their way into the ocean from our laundry and damage the marine ecosystem. Almost like poetic irony, these microplastics eventually end up in our water, food, and air and eventually enter our bodies.

More environment-conscious people may utilize laundry filters to separate those microplastics before they get released into waterways. Unfortunately, these filters themselves pose risks to the very environment they claim to protect, mostly because their filters have to be replaced and thrown away eventually, not to mention parts that have to be replaced regularly as well. In stark contrast, Gulp offers a holistic solution that simplifies the entire equation to make it effective and efficient every step of the way. No filters or parts to replace, no additional waste, and no harmful microplastics.

Gulp’s simple looks belie the advanced technology and design at work in this washing machine filter. You simply put the device on top or beside your washing machine and hook one end to the washing machine wastewater hose and the other end to your actual wastewater outlet. You then plug Gulp into a mains electric socket and go about your laundry as usual. You don’t need to adjust anything else in your personal system and can even keep using your preferred detergents.

Patented Technology – Gulp’s unique self-cleaning technology means there are no disposable filters or parts required throughout the product life cycle.

Gulp’s unique self-cleaning technology doesn’t require any additional filter and drains the water automatically, so you won’t need anything else as well. When the indicator light says it’s time to empty Gulp, you can simply remove the filter cup and empty out the captured microfibers in a waste bin. Rinse and repeat for a plastic-free and guilt-free laundry day.

What’s even better is that Matter, the creators of this sustainable product, has systems in place to give those microplastics a new home. Starting next year, you can send them your captured microfibers, which will be used for ongoing research or recycled into new materials and products. For just £149 (around $170), you can get a single Gulp to keep both your clothes and the planet clean without having to change your wardrobe or style.

Click Here to Buy Now: $170 $280 (40% off). Hurry, only 19/475 left! Raised over $115,000.

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This appliance envisions the future of folding and sterilizing children’s clothes

We have become more attuned to the sometimes unsanitary conditions of our homes in recent years. While harmful microorganisms may have been there all this time, their effects have been placed under a microscope thanks to concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus. There has been an uptick in interest and sales of air purifiers as well as the new breed of UV-C sanitizers. But while these take care of the air we breathe, they don’t really handle other places where germs, viruses, and other harmful substances can gather, especially on different kinds of surfaces. Clothing for children, in particular, requires special handling because of who wears them, and this simple yet innovative concept offers a way to ease the burden off parents and automate how clothes are kept neat and clean.

Designers: Junsik Oh, Da-yeon Choi, Kim Eun-seong

Perhaps next to taking out the trash, one of the most disliked chores is doing the laundry, probably because it’s actually a multi-step process that goes beyond just washing clothes. Even with smart washing machines and dryers, there are parts of the chore that can be considered manual and menial labor. And as if folding clothes and putting them away weren’t already tedious enough, people now also have to be mindful of keeping those clothes sanitized and germ-free.

The latter is a growing concern among parents today, especially with all the worries about viruses and germs in the air and sticking to surfaces. Anti-bacterial laundry soap only works during washing, but the clothes can be exposed any time afterward. That can even happen while a parent or sibling is folding a child’s clothes, potentially putting younger and more susceptible members of the family in danger.

FOL:U is an appliance concept that tries to do away with both the tediousness as well as the fears when folding clothes. It actually doesn’t fold clothes but rolls them up in a bundle for more space-efficient storage. It also sanitizes those clothes before they’re rolled, and you don’t even have to touch a single part of the fabric at any point in time.

The idea is that you’d pick up newly washed clothes with tongs that come with FOL:U and mount them inside. When you’re ready, you can soak the clothes in UV-C light to sanitize them. There’s even a tray on top that will let you also sanitize other items like baby bottles or toys simultaneously to save on time and energy. The machine then rolls the clothes into bundles that can be kept at the bottom of the tall box, which could also be sanitized along with the next batch of clothes.

With UV-C sanitization becoming more common inside households, it might only be a matter of time before appliance manufacturers turn their attention toward this use case. FOL:U might not be the most efficient machine for folding, and some might disagree about rolling clothes, but it does address the need for automating other parts of doing the laundry. It won’t be long before we reach a point where the entire process could be automated from start to finish, just like in some cartoons that portray future home appliances in a comical way.

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This miniature portable washing machine designed for delicate loads means you have fresh laundry anywhere!

This mini washing machine is a portable travel companion ideal for lighter, more delicate loads of laundry that requires only one-third the amount of water that traditional washing machines use.

Getting around to laundry can sometimes feel like a headache. Sorting through our laundry to pick out delicates and white clothing items and ensure we don’t end up with a pink closet can feel more taxing than the actual chore. Besides, once all of our clothing items are sorted, sometimes our pile of white laundry isn’t big enough for its own load in the wash. Streamlining the entire process, a mini portable washing machine designed by Kai Xia hopes to be the small solution for lighter loads.

The mini washing machine as designed by Xia features ultrasonic high-frequency vibrations for increased sterilization rates that ensure a gentle, yet thorough cleaning for each load. The portable washing machine can be plugged into any power outlet prior to use and activated with the touch of a button. Once users have thrown in their clothing items into the machine’s drum, holding the power button down for two seconds will wake up the machine, and pressing it once more will start the wash.

From there, washing is completed in about 15 minutes following a cycle that moves through a forward rotation, reverse rotation, ozone sterilization, forward rotation, reverse rotation, ultrasonic, so forth. By the time each cycle ends, the mini washing machine shuts down on its own.

Constructed from eco-friendly ABS plastic, the mini washing machine is lightweight for easy carrying and impact-resistant, making it ideal for traveling. Xia downsized their washing machine to be more energy-efficient, requiring only one-third the amount of water that traditional washing machines use.

Designer: Kai Xia

Envisioned in mint green, Kai Xia’s washing machines are conceptualized to suit each user’s taste.

Blush beige accents tug on an all-white polished exterior. 

Three unique washing machines to freshen up traditional boring aesthetics with these modern designs!

Product design and experience innovation company, Whipsaw visualized three washing machine concepts that aim to challenge the status quo of home laundry appliances.

Washing machine designs tend to all blend into each other. Many design aspects of new washing machines are repeated, resulting in a bunch of washing machines that all look the same. Choosing the right one often boils down to only considering each machines’ technical attributes. Whipsaw, a product design, and experience innovation company, recently designed three different washing machine concepts that aim to challenge the status quo of laundry appliance designs.

The first concept from Whipsaw visualizes a machine constructed entirely from metal. The machine’s touchpoints have an icy, stainless steel quality that gives the machine an overall refined and sturdy build. A large, front-facing circular drum takes the load of laundry and a concealed main wash compartment where users can pour their detergent and fabric softener. To the right of the wash compartment, a rectangular steel panel displays information regarding each wash, from the time left in a cycle to the water temperature.

Another concept from Whipsaw takes on a post-modern personality. The pastel-colored washing and drying machines sit on top of one another and have their own distinct looks. The dryer’s drum has a muted yellow door and the washer features a soft periwinkle blue door. The machine’s control panel rounds the circumference of the washing machine’s door, projecting cycle durations and wash options on an LED display.

Lastly, Whipsaw took to the future for the third washing machine concept–designing a foggy, translucent door that would look right at home aboard a spacecraft. The washing machine features a structural build, forest green and gray-white finish with a bright LED control panel just above the main wash compartment where users can choose their wash cycles. The most exciting aspect of this design is the detachable control unit so users can keep track of wash cycles from anywhere around the house.

Designer: Whipsaw

The third concept’s detachable control unit allows users to check on the status of their laundry load from anywhere around the house.

The detachable control unit’s artful design will look right at home in the living room or bedroom.

This washer dryer comes with a sliding drum to reduce human effort!

I can’t wait for the laundry doing experience to get completely automated, especially when one has to toil between the washer and dryer. A range of innovations has happened in washing machines making them more portable and improved efficiency. Yet, the washer/dryer set remains the most effective solution for people who do a lot of laundry and want it back clean and fresh quickly.

The downside is the amount of manual labor involved, right from putting the clothes into the washer and then transferring them into the dryer. Pointing out a valuable solution through intuitive design, eminent designer Youjin Syn has come up with “Do it” – a Dryer Washing Machine combination that works by sliding the clothes holding drum from the washer to the dryer. Poetically, the sliding mechanism is influenced by the shape of water droplets falling down. 

Aptly named “Do it”, the Dryer Washing Machine does all the work without human intervention. The washer and dryer are placed in an upright position so the drum can easily be moved to the dryer downstairs. From how the renderings appear, this appliance will occupy vertical real estate. But with its geometric design and touch intuitive controls, “Do it” is going to fit very amicably in any setting.

Amid other operative controls, the machine has a push-open door to let the user fill the drum with laundry. When the washing is done – the barrel (drum) automatically travels down to the dryer position through the built-in tunnel mechanism and provides the user with clean and fresh smelling clothes a while later. I think the design has the potential to make a difference in a public laundry and bring me one step closer to having ironed clothes hanging in my closets directly!

Designer: Youjin Syn

 

This washing machine tilts open so no need to bend and makes doing laundry super easy!

Did you know that automatic washing machines can’t be placed vertically like dryers even though that setup is trending in new apartment layouts? Placing them vertically makes it difficult to use in areas with limited floor space. So to solve this functional interior design problem, Hyun Yeol Shin designed Tilt, a washing machine that can be installed freely (horizontally and vertically) and the best part is how the laundry tank tilts towards you so no more crazy bending or squatting!

Tilt’s innovative design makes it easier to put in and remove laundry out, especially for those who may already suffer from aches, pains, or minor mobility issues that make laundry more difficult than it should be. Drum washing machines are inconvenient and with Tilt, you can have washing performance of automatic washing machines, shorter washing time than drums, cleaner washing machines due to contamination, and it can be arranged vertically! Tilt can be set up in the same environment as the dryer due to narrow laundry rooms are no more a problem and neither is moving around to do laundry.

It definitely makes it easier for pregnant women and for younger kids to get involved in helping out without having to use tongs to take the laundry out. The tilting mechanism of the door makes it easy for anyone to do laundry. It maximizes space utilization and the replaceable panel design allows you to choose based on your space. I am a personal fan because there have been multiple incidents where I have squatted down to take the laundry out to put it in the dryer above and hit my head on the dryer’s door in the process – thanks to design’s like Tilt, I’ll save space, won’t have to bend and my head will remain bump-free!

Designer: Hyun Yeol Shin

Finally, A Retro-inspired Laundry Machine that Separates Your Clothes For You

Here’s a question that has inconvenienced young, money-conscious, and environmentally-conscious people for years: do we have to wash light and dark clothes separately? Is the risk of staining our nice office blouse worth paying another eight quarters to clean a small handful of white clothes?

Not to sound like a commercial from the early 2000s, but… Don’t you wish there was a better way to do laundry? The Split Drum washing machine has three separate sections, so you can wash all your supposedly “un-mixable” clothes in one load. The boards are also removable for additional flexibility. After all, not everyone has an equal ratio of dark, light, and white clothing in their closet.

In addition to solving an issue that has inconvenienced young adults for years, the Split Drum is very pleasing to look at. The white color and the gold accents give the machine a bright yet retro-inspired feel that I think fits the personality of many young professionals. The Split Drum is not an appliance that will be hidden away in a basement – because what young 20-something can afford a two-floor apartment? It’s more likely that the Split Drum washer will be a prominent fixture in a smaller home… so it might as well be easy on the eyes. I think the aesthetic design of the Split Drum indicates a deep understanding of the target consumer (aka myself). The only thing missing from this design is a Split Drum clothing dryer to complete the set.

Designer: Wanki Kim

Samsung’s automatic dry cleaning wardrobe removes 99% bacteria and is finally on sale!

What is your most hated chore in quarantine? I think its a tie between doing the dishes and laundry. For me, it is definitely laundry just because it takes longer and is so much more tedious! And while folding my clothes I think about Samsung’s AirDresser – an innovative wardrobe designed to steam, deodorize and sanitize clothes without putting them through a washer-dryer cycle.

Traditional laundry machine cycles can potentially damage clothes (how many of us even know the right settings for our loads?) and ever since the pandemic took over our lives we are doing laundry more often to stay safe – this is bound to wear them out 5x faster than usual. The Samsung AirDresser is here to save the day! Its sleek build is similar to a tall, thin fridge and can seamlessly blend in any room. The AirDresser uses a combination of steaming and heat-pump powered drying, and you won’t even have to plumb it in says Samsung. “That’s because, rather than a water connection like a traditional washer would require, the AirDresser relies on a refillable water tank at the bottom of the cabinet. It means it can be installed pretty much anywhere with a regular 120V outlet,” explains the team.

The wardrobe has space for six hanging garments and includes a set of weighted hangers for helping pull the wrinkles out of pants. The AirDresser is safe to use for suits, woolen clothes, knits, down, fur, leather, and denim making it super versatile and functional. Samsung also mentions that it is good to be used to clean babywear (definitely a lot of cycles there!), toys, and even bedding. I think the bedding bit is so important because traditional washer-dryer ties my bedsheet into such knots and we all know ‘entanglements’ aren’t good (right, Smiths?). It also saves water and makes it easier for the elderly to do their laundry!

The Sanitize Cycle program uses high-temperature steam which can remove 99% of common bacteria and dust mites. It also includes a deodorizing filter that takes care of smells (more important if you live in a humid climate) and a heat-pump drying cycle that avoids shrinking. This way the clothes are cleaned more efficiently and avoids the damage when you put them in the usual machines. If you love your clothes to smell anything other than ‘fresh linen’, you can insert a dryer sheet into the Fresh Finish compartment and you can even leave the door open to use the AirDresser as a dehumidifier for the rest of your closet.

Designed to fit in with your smart lifestyle, you can control the AirDresser with Samsung’s app by connecting it with WiFi. The appliance comes with preprogrammed cycles for items like jackets, t-shirts, school uniforms, and sweaters so no thinking is involved there. The app also supports remote control and notifies you when cleaning cycles are finished. Additionally, there’s also something called Samsung SmartThings integration which means you can store presets, get maintenance, water-change alerts, and see energy status. As an alternative to app-control, you can use the touch-sensitive control panel on the front of the door which has buttons for all cycles – Normal, Quick, Delicates, Sanitize, Drying, and Special. Who needs the Narnia wardrobe when you get this one that does your laundry!

Designer: Samsung

Click Here to Buy Now!

This washer-dehumidifier combo elevates your interiors without steaming up your home

We’ve seen an inclusive washer and dryer, a device that steam irons your clothes and purifies your home, another appliance to cleanse your air and clothes of dust and pollen. Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, we have another cool appliance to add to this list – say hello (from 6 feet away) to Drawsher which is the child of a washer and dehumidifier!

Laundry is one of the most disliked chores and so it is no surprise to me that many of us just let the clothes be in the basket till we run out of fresh underwear. It may not be stinky or filthy, but it is certainly not the most hygienic practice because you are lettings the bacteria from the clothes spill into the air around you. Also, if you don’t air out your washing machine after using it, it can lead to molds and malfunctioning of the appliance. Keeping all these details in mind, designer Kikang Kim created Drawsher which is a sanitary machine that functions as a laundry basket and a washing machine. You’ll notice that it also looks good unlike any washing machine you’ve seen before, and that is because Kim has based the design on a modern dresser that optimizes space and blends well with your interiors.

Drawsher ups your laundry game functionally and aesthetically – say goodbye to hours of sorting clothes, dealing with excessive humidity when it runs a cycle, smelly mold, and appliance upkeep. Keep scrolling to see the design process and find out why we love this washing machine that also doubles up as a sleek piece of furniture.

Designer: Kikang Kim

You don’t have to necessarily keep this washer hidden away because it is as beautiful as a stylized piece of furniture. It truly elevates your interior game without steaming up your apartment.

The main goal was to make doing laundry easier – so you can sort your clothes in the basket as you throw them in instead of sorting a big load on laundry day itself. Plus the dehumidifier helps to not steam up your apartment and clear that wet laundry smell that no Yankee candle can get rid of.

Through line drawing and paper-building, Kim was able to determine the right height for the Drawsher so it doesn’t cause any backache and continues being functional.

The build of the Drawsher is based on that of your modern dressers, it is meant to optimize space by also doubling up as your laundry basket. You don’t need a closet to keep your washer and your dirty clothes, you can have this appliance outside and now have extra space where the laundry basket/laundry room used to be – like a new shoe rack or a pantry room!

The dehumidifier is mounted at the back end of the Drawsher and keeps the laundry hygienic. It helps to keep the bad smell from the laundry baskets away and also the detergent smell when you do your laundry. Having it in-built means no humidity or steam when you use it and less upkeep of the appliance as it keeps away mold and mites.

Sorting laundry is such a tedious task and keeping 4 laundry baskets is simply inefficient. Drawsher has 4 separate compartments that let you sort dirty laundry the minute you throw it in instead of going through a whole pile later. One day, one t-shirt, one basket at a time.

The laundry drawers are seamlessly hidden without handles to keep your dirty laundry from being aired in public!

The lid of the filter is concealed with a rectangular opening so it blends in with the rest of the furniture-appliance aesthetic.

The blue color was chosen to represent freshness and the wood finishes complement it perfectly. The combination of the two is timeless and will fit in almost every interior setting. You can store laundry detergent and fabric softener on the top and control how much is to be used via the display screen.