From lettuce to delicates, salad spinners fulfill varied needs, both in and out of the kitchen. While re-engineering and re-designing the salad spinner for Zyliss, the industrial design consultancy RKS learned that women were using the product to wash their delicates. Salad spinners effectively mimic washing machine agitation, as discovered independently by leading commercial laundry manufacturer American Dryer Corporation, making this a well-conceived product adaptation.

RKS Laundry Pod. Designed by RKS for Zyliss.

Considering the identified need for an easy, energy-efficient means of cleaning small loads of laundry, they enlisted RKS to develop this concept to create a hand-powered, high performance laundry device after becoming aware of the design consultancy’s work for Zyliss. The RKS Laundry Pod is a prototype hand-washing device that helps cut down on energy use and makes washing by hand easy and convenient. Place the dirty items into the pod, add soap and water and pump the hand lever to spin, saturating the items. Drain the soapy water, refill and spin to rinse. Drain again and spin to damp dry. Washing delicates or small loads of laundry can be done anytime and anywhere, without the use of electricity or large appliances.

Although there are other portable hand-washers on the market, Laundry POD extracts water rather than requiring users to manually wring-out their clothing: a benefit both for our inherent laziness and for our fragile items at risk of damage by malicious wringing. Particularly convenient for women, the system can potentially extend the life of fragile delicates through (now possible) frequent, gentle “hand-washing.” If you’re male and subsequently lack “delicates” in your collection, the Laundry Pod is perfect for “in between” and small loads, camping or traveling.

Made from recycled objects and utilizing water and energy saving techniques, the RKS Laundry Pod is an eco-conscious innovation. It was awarded 4th place in Core77’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition 2009, produced by Core77 in association with the Consumer Electronics Association and Inhabitat.   For another incredible “green gadget”, check out Bel-Air, a mobile mini greenhouse or living filter designed by Mathieu Lehanneur and David Edwards and produced by Le Laboratoire.

Some have claimed that this concept has already been brought into fruition by Japanese manufacturers.  If you’re aware of what these might be, enlighten us!

via MoCo Loco