Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

There have long been testing standards of laundry detergent and stain removing ability. These tests, however, have not routinely been applied to traditional automatic laundry machines. The laundry machines themselves are more often evaluated for degree of dryness after the rinse cycle, power and water usage, noise and vibration level and ease of use. Consumers comfortably assume that any washing machine will provide enough agitation and contact time between the laundry and detergent such that the limiting factor in cleaning will be the detergent, not the machine. Yiregos Drumi washer is likely to challenge that assumption. In order to market the Drumi, it is expected that the company will have to prove that the cleaning efficiency is equivalent to a traditional washing machine. In addition optimization of the operating conditions is necessary. The Drumi is dramatically different than other washers but will still using the same detergents as traditional washers. Recommendations on water volume for mass of clothing ratios, detergent levels and agitation time need to be established for optimum stain removal and disinfection. In addition, the effects of water temperature, cycle time and fabric mix on stain removal, colour maintenance and re-deposition of dyes and soil need to be evaluated and measured against a traditional washing machine.