Surprisingly, within our washing machines, there hides a hefty concrete block. This revelation leads researchers to propose a much more effective alternative.

Turns out, our washing machines harbor a substantial concrete block, prompting researchers to suggest a far more efficient replacement.

1. Uncovering the hidden heavyweight in our washing machines: a concrete block. This revelation leads researchers to propose a much more effective alternative.

Replace it with a lighter device—no more heavy lifting needed.

If you've ever strained your back moving a washing machine around, lifting it up and down stairs, or even just laid eyes on the washing drum, you know it's a hefty piece of equipment. Surprisingly, the reason for its detestable weight is a solid, sturdy concrete block inside the machine, designed to keep it balanced during the wash cycle.

Personally, I had no inkling about the concrete block in washing machines, so reading this news leaves me uncertain whether to be joyful or melancholic. It's an indescribable emotion, knowing that researchers at Nottingham Trent University have successfully developed a plastic counterpart to replace that concrete block. This plastic piece is hollow, lightweight, and doesn't become a 'burden' until filled with water. They are trying to replace something I wasn't even aware existed.

According to the research, the average weight of washing machines ranges from 65 to 75 kg, with the concrete block alone weighing 25 kg. Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh and his soon-to-graduate colleague Dylan Knight from Nottingham Trent University have developed the mentioned hollow plastic block, reducing the washing machine's weight by 30%. This undoubtedly makes moving the machine easier than ever, whether for delivery or transportation within homes.

“In reality, concrete isn't environmentally friendly due to the CO2 emissions during production,” says student Knight. “And that's why washing machines are so heavy.”

The hollow plastic block weighs only 3 kg. When the washing machine is installed, water will be poured into this plastic block and securely sealed. Tests show that the new plastic block is as effective as the 'classic' concrete block.

Concrete is denser than water, so the new plastic block needs to be larger than the concrete block to compensate for the lower density of water. Currently, the research team is collaborating with another manufacturer to refine the idea and try to implement it in practice.