By Megan Treacy / Source: TreeHugger

Over the past few years, new washing machines have become much more efficient, both in energy and water use, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Always making sure you have a full load and only using cold water is the best way to use your machine if you have one at home, but for those wanting to save even more energy and water, there haven’t been many options other than hand-washing.

A new electricity-free washer that is powered by a foot pedal could be just what people wanting to move farther off the grid have been looking for.

The Yirego Drumi is 22 inches tall and spins a small load of clothing, water and detergent in the interior ball drum when the pedal is pumped. It can accommodate six to seven pieces, or 5 pounds, of clothing at a time, which keeps it from being a good substitute for a family of four, but it would be suitable for a couple living in a tiny home, camping trips, college students or anyone looking to run their machine less.

It would also come in handy during power outages or when you’re trying to avoid running a load until you have enough to fill your machine.

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