Appropriate Technology: Washing Clothes by Machine Instead by Hand

Posted on April 11, 2011  Comments (3)

Hang Rosling provides great presentations exploring economics and human well being. I agree with his point that we should be thankful for economic and engineering progress that has freed us from menial tasks and allowed us to spend our time in higher value ways.

We need to remember (as he shows) there are many in the world that still do not enjoy these advances. For example, a majority of the world must hand wash their clothes. Engineers should continue to focus on the mass of humanity that needs fairly simple solutions.

He is also right that we need to find solutions to the extremely heavy use of fossil fuels by the rich countries. If the rich countries don’t reduce the pollution there will be great problems. And if the costs of clean energy are not decreased (which they should do) fast enough (which is the question), those that start to be able to afford the rich lifestyle, will add to the dangers we face economically and environmentally of continuing the unsustainable energy footprint the rich countries have been making.

Related: Washing Machine Uses 90% Less WaterClean Clothes Without SoapHans Rosling on Global Population GrowthAutomatic Dog Washing Machine

3 Responses to “Appropriate Technology: Washing Clothes by Machine Instead by Hand”

  1. Mike
    April 11th, 2011 @ 4:42 pm

    Just a little comment, I don’t have a washing machine, and will not get one. I just put water and soup (in powder) in a bucket. Leave the clothes there the whole night.
    The soup I use goes away easily with more water.
    Then I hang the clothes outside.
    The whole process takes 2-3 minutes of my time.

  2. Anonymous
    April 12th, 2011 @ 7:50 am

    As above have always washed clothes by hand, have never had a washing machine and have no intention of getting one!

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    February 4th, 2014 @ 5:07 am

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