turbidity

[cuffs054]

Since my dishwasher can tell how dirty a load is, why not a clothes washer?

 

[thomasortega]

I can answer that...

easily because I tried to include this function many years ago in a project.

because the dishes don't fade... If the water is not clear, it's because it's dirty.

Imagine the situation:
You put your brand new black shirt to wash...
select cold water, light soil, and the quickest cycle, because it's new and obviously not dirty.

How will the water be? clear or black because of the dye?

The washer would make a huge mistake and increase the wash time or the mechanical action.

 

[launderess]

Also consider many detergents and or other laundry products make water "cloudy", especially when non-phosphate builders are used for powdered detergents. For instance soap will make cloudy wash water. How would a washing machine tell if the water is not clear because of soiling, or another reason?

 

[pdub]

Thomas

Brilliant answer! I'm impressed.

 

[newwave1]

There are machines on the market with turbidity sensors! Bosch made one, gorenje make one! Asko make one! An inferred beam detects the cloudiness of the water and decides weather extra rinsing is necessary! They cost alot of dosh. hence there aren't many of them!

Darren

 

[thomasortega]

Yes, there are...

But honestly, they are not acurate for the same reasons.

If you´re washing a brand new shirt (same example), it´s obvious it can release some dye.
Why rinse more times if you know it´s only dye?