However, with the new technology applied to new washing machines, consumers are given more options with their washing. Some of them are the nanotechnology that destroys bacteria that cause bad odor to the clothes through the silver ions it releases, harnessing steam power that lift stains from the clothes as well as the energy and water conserving power of the new machines.

Even though the invention of Alva J. Fisher which was introduced in Chicago in 1908 was in fact a great advancement in the 19th century, light years ahead of it was greater inventions. In the past, many people used soil and rock in the streams to wash dirty clothes.

The Steam

Last fall, Whirlpool Corporation created and introduced to the market a washer-dryer combo that uses steam to take away dirt from the clothes. According to the company, the Whirlpool Duet Steam has the sanitizing ability to clean sheets and towels without the need for bleach. The greater thing here is that 99.9% of the bacteria and germs found on the sheets and towels were killed.

Moreover, this washer also has the ability to spin the clothes up to a maximum of 1,200 rpm with its dizzying spin speed while the drier that comes with it can take away the wrinkles and odors without the use of chemicals.

Its other competitors that include Electrolux as well as LG also have line of dryers that use steam to minimize ironing because of wrinkles.

Whirlpool will once again introduce a steam-based-washer-dryer combination this coming spring. It is called the Cabrio. Cabrio is perfect for families with lots of laundry to wash and in fact, this washer can take a maximum load of 3 baskets in one washing.

According to Drew Fraser, an executive from Whirlpool said that many consumers now believe that steam works and because of this, their latest product will appeal more to the consumers because aside from not relying too much on chemicals, more time, and money will be saved by it.

Silver

On the other side, Samsung, a conglomerate in South Korea, introduced its SilverCare in the year 2006. SilverCare is a kind of washing machine that has the ability to unleash around 400 billion of silver ions to clean the laundry in cold water without the use of bleach close to molecular level.

By using a 99.9% pure silver plate installed in the washing machine, billions of silver ions are emitted and this can actually kill around 650 types of bacteria as well as create 30-day anti-bacteria lasting effect.

Moreover, in the Consumer Reports issued in February, it was found out that the Samsung Model has the ability to slow down the growth of bacteria that cause odor in clothes. However, it was also noted that silver has the component that could harm the sea life when the water from the washer is flushed out.

That is why Samsung has been required to provide regulatory agencies that will prove that the technology they are using has no harmful effect in the environment.

The Gold Medals

The top-rater award given by the Consumer Reports went to the front-loader LG Tromm Steam Water which costs around $1,500. Aside from the 1,200 rpm speed that it has, it also takes pride of the digital panel attached to it. This digital panel is used to monitor the washing.

Aside from the front-loaders mentioned above, Whirlpool models such as Kenmore and Miele also received a good rating from the Consumer Reports. Their prices range from USD800 to USD1500.

Consumer Reports further recommended Whirlpools Estate Washer to buyers who are conscious of the pricing. Estate Washer may be bought at around $400.

Hung To Dry

Since, G.T. Sampson, a black US inventor patented clothes dryer way back in 1892, there have been other brands that have promising advances when it comes to the technology of dryer. In fact, a product from China allows drying of clothes by placing these clothes on hangers to dry them and steam them in a min-closet that serves as a room heater.

Above all these, we are certain of one thing. Gone are the days when we had to pound our dirty clothes on rocks and hang them on line under the sun so they could dry up.