Dispensing With Detergent

LG’s glass powder Mineral Wash breaks down oils, fats and proteins in fabrics.

Breakthroughs in laundry technology could make soap and softeners obsolete 

By Alan Wolf, YSN 

In pursuit of sparing the environment from harsh cleansers, at least two appliance manufacturers have developed technologies that could render detergent obsolete and revolutionize washer design. 

One breakthrough, now entering the pilot phase, comes from LG Electronics’ Advanced Materials business. Years in development, its Mineral Wash is an alkaline mineral glass powder that, when added to water, releases ions that break down contaminants like oils, fats and proteins in fabrics. The powder even helps shrink water molecules, making it easier for them to get between the fabric and stains.  

“That means enhanced cleaning power, less need for chemical surfactants and a more eco-conscious laundry experience,” LG said. 

Earlier this month LG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a national Korean institution to test whether Mineral Wash can return more clean water to nature than is used, which could open up new opportunities as a raw material for residential and commercial washers. Anticipating a successful pilot, the vendor has already set up a production plant in Changwon, South Korea, capable of producing 4,500 tons of glass powder annually. 

Space-Age Solution 

Closer to home and already on the market is the Laundry Pro washer attachment from Electrolux offshoot Aerus. Originally developed to purify air on the International Space Station, the company’s ActivePure technology has also proven effective as a cold water laundry system that connects to household washers using standard hoses and requires no modifications or additional plumbing. 

When combined with hydrogen and oxygen-based molecules, ActivePure can lift dirt, grime and built-up detergent away from fabric fibers and prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria, the company said, leaving clothes naturally soft and eliminating the need for detergent, bleach and fabric softeners.  

The Virginia-based business also claims its system, now in its third iteration, can save owners nearly $500 a year in water, energy and detergent costs, and can extend the life of a washer by preventing mold and mildew from growing inside the tub 

Laundry Pro is presently distributed nationally through hundreds of franchised “Healthy Living Consultants.” For more information, call (800) 572-0502. 

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