Wave Handwashing Suite

Ce qu'il fait

The Waves handwashing suite modernises traditional handwashing, enhancing user comfort and reducing environmental impact. Inspired by the wastefulness of machine washers and dryers, Waves preserves clothing quality while protecting the planet.

Votre source d'inspiration

The inspiration for this product came from my final college project on textile waste, a complex issue with many facets. Research revealed that 70% of CO2 emissions from a cotton t-shirt's five-year lifecycle come from customer care, mainly machine washing and drying. This process not only wears down fabrics, leading to premature disposal, but also contributes significantly to microfiber shedding, which constitutes 35% of oceanic microplastic pollution. Addressing these issues motivated the development of a more sustainable solution.

Comment ça marche

The Waves handwashing suite includes two products: the washbag and the spinner. The washbag, made from recycled ocean nylon fabric, resembles a drybag and is lined with a silicone washboard-like texture to gently clean clothes. Traditional handwashing can leave hands wet and cold, but the washbag's design allows users to comfortably manipulate clothes without these issues. The bag is leak-proof, odor, and mold-resistant, making it suitable for soaking tough stains. All drained water passes through a removable microfiber filter for proper disposal. Wet clothes are then transferred to the spinner, which fits into the washbag to contain all the wrung water. The spinner's handle is plunged up and down, using centrifugal force to remove excess water more effectively than handwringing, reducing air-drying time. The spinner is collapsible and fits within the washbag for convenient storage. The washing process takes under 180 seconds, as does wringing, depending on the load size.

Processus de conception

Through extensive interviews, journey mapping, empathy testing, product analysis, and secondary research, the Wave Handwashing Suite concept emerged. The benefits of handwashing—preserving the integrity of clothes, improving their longevity, and its carbon-neutral nature—inspired me to create a solution to make handwashing more appealing to users who typically rely on washing machines. Despite Wave's many environmental and economic advantages, interviews revealed a reluctance to handwash clothes. Users cited discomfort from wet, cold hands, dryness from detergents, and the inconvenience of wearing gloves. This feedback led to the development of the washbag concept, which underwent multiple iterations to finalise materials, touchpoints, user feedback, and features.Interviewees also expressed frustration with the manual labor involved in wringing out clothes. To address this, I experimented with a salad spinner to leverage centrifugal force as an alternative to handwringing. The results were promising, showing greater efficiency within the same timeframe. This inspired me to adapt the salad spinner for larger and heavier use, redesigning the handle for comfort, switching the spinner mechanism from a turn to a plunger for increased stamina, and creating a collapsible basket. Through iterative prototyping and testing, the Wave Handwashing Suite evolved into itself now, offering a user-friendly and eco-friendly solution for handwashing clothes.

En quoi est-il différent ?

The Wave Handwashing Suite stands out from other washbags on the market by addressing the entire laundry process, not just the washing. From soaking stains to wringing out clothes, Wave offers a comprehensive solution. Its microfiber filter and eco-friendly materials further distinguish it from other handwashing products, ensuring a sustainable experience. Additionally, the significant reduction in CO2 emissions, lower cost of use, and minimised pollution compared to machine washers and dryers make the Wave Handwashing Suite the greener choice.

Plans pour l'avenir

The Wave handwashing suite is currently a degree project. I plan to refine the design with ongoing research and development, adding IoT technology to monitor washing efficiency, water usage, and fabric care. Campaigns will educate consumers on the environmental impacts of traditional laundry and the benefits of the Wave suite. Collaborations with gyms, environmental organisations, and eco-friendly brands will promote adoption. A return program for recycling old products into new ones will create a closed-loop system. Additionally, developing eco-friendly detergents, portable drying racks, and stain removers will enhance the user experience.

Récompenses