Sanyo's new washing machine converts air to ozone, and uses it to clean your clothes. Apparently this is the first time such technology is used in consumer-level washing machines.

Sanyo Electronics announced the "Aqua AWD-AQ1" drum-style washing machine, which features an "Air Wash" function that converts air to ozone to eliminate bacteria and odor from clothing. It purifies water it has already used through a recycling process, allowing it to have the industry's #1 position for the conservation of water. It is scheduled to be released o­n March 11th for about 262,500 yen.

"Air Wash" is a technology previously used in industrial strength washing machines, and it is now being applied to consumer level washing machines. Oxygen (O₂) in air is converted to ozone (O₃) using an ozone creation device, and is sprayed o­n clothing inside the drum. Ozone has a strong oxidation action, which either destroys or disassembles the cell walls of bacteria. This allows for eliminating bacteria, odors, and dirt (organic matter). The oxidated ozone simply returns to oxygen, making it easy o­n the environment.

Since the Air Wash function provides a course that uses no water and a course that does not rotate the drum, it is well suited for those cases with fragile clothing such as "wanting to get the smell out without washing," or "wanting to get the bacteria out without washing." Sanyo said, "recently, sprays that eliminate bacteria and odor are popular, and the Air Wash does mostly the same thing... it just happens inside the washing machine."

The other, normal course of the washing machine uses ozone leading to drastic conservation of water. Inside the Aqua, water that has been used for rinsing is stored inside a tank, where ozone microbubbles are injected, purifying the water. This water is again used either for the next washing or as dehumidification water when drying clothes, so the Aqua has obtained "Industry #1" (Sanyo) for water conservation, as it uses 50 liters from wash to dry (using new water requires 80 liters).

Of course, as time passes, the purified water becomes difficult to use, but the Aqua can use this water a day or two later. In other words, for a normal household that does laundry every day (Translator's note: doing laundry everyday common in Japan; the previous or same day's clothing for all family members is consolidated into a single load), about 50 liters of water will be used. Since the dryer can also use a lot of water from the tank while it is running, its drying efficiency is enhanced. A complete cycle, from washing to dry, has been shortened to 180 minutes.

Other courses are available, such as the "Zero Detergent Course" that washes out light dirt with water that has ozone, "Ozone Steam Course" which eliminates bacteria and odors during drying by using steam that has ozone, and "Mold Guard," which prevents against the outbreak of black mold in the drum by using ozone water. Also available is "Shelf Dry," which can dry delicate clothing, stuffed animals, and shoes.

Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0602/02/news054.html

Press Release:
http://www.sanyo.co.jp/koho/hypertext4/0611news-j/0202-1.html