I like the sounds of this

[Matt2584]

naturalnews.com/049616_peda...

[RogerCMerriman]

It does sound neat but the devil will be in the detail, to work considering the very low amounts of power, that even in best case will be generated. its going to need to be a very small load, ie something you wash a few items of clothes.

the power to run a full "normal" washing machine even for a quick wash is well beyond even very pro cyclist energy outputs, so to charge it up would take many hours if not days for most normal folks.

hence its likely to be a much smaller wash, as that's realisticly the only way it can work,

[Bards]

I think the motivation behind thses electric-free washers (many more up-and-down pump action rather than bicycle motion) is as an Appropriate Technology for developing nations. Anything which aims to lesson the work, especially for women, without costing the planet deserves state funded IMO

[angelite]

Hi Matt,

It is interesting that these days some people have to make a special effort to ensure they are getting enough exercise due to sedentary work/homelife whereas in times past, before modern technology/labour saving devices the general chores of work/homelife provided all the exercise we needed ! I guess we swapped long winded repetitive chores for more appealing forms of recreational exercise ? Reminds me of a history program I saw where prisoners would walk the treadmill to grind flour-similar principal.When my washer broke and we couldn't afford another I spent a year using the soak in the bath,followed by the squashing up and down with a long handled broom method for bulk items - works great !

Many years ago I adopted Russian hamsters from the RSPCA -always wondered if their wheel running obsession would be capable of running a lightbulb : )

[miracleman]

Certainly worth haVing a look at!Love the idea. May need to be selective about which things you put in a load! mmm!

[Matt2584 in reply to miracleman]

I would hope that there was a function to switch between automatic washing and manual because at times where you are feeling under-the-weather or when you get those days where you just can't be bothered, you are not up to doing menial chores.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Matt2584]

it has a battery so could reasonably easily designed to run off the mains.

it is a prototype afterall.

[Hidden]

I get tired going to laundrette: noise, movement, thinking what to take & try do it right when there. Better at it now but still get days do something silly. And white sheet stained with purple = odd, I only put whites in.

Then when get home must put it all to dry: hard work telling my hands what to pick up/do. Love smell of laundry after outside (if sunny put out) but lines high (good for sheets/towels) and arms ache especially injured right arm/shoulder.

HATE using dryer there in winter: everything STINKS. Laundrette washing never smells as nice as home wash but had no washing machine since was forced to sell my home = a year and a half now = laundrettes, no cooker, micro meals/salads EVERY day (almost), living out of boxes/camping (can't use/find my things/clothes+) for nearly 4 years now.

EXHAUSTED & broken.