Not your grandparents' washing machines
An estimated 20,000 new products, from home appliances to cars to robots, were on display in Las Vegas this week for the annual Consumer Electronics Show.
While some of the items showcased at CES 2015 are completely original inventions, others offer a new twist on an old idea -- even the standard way of doing laundry seems to be all washed up.
After cruising around the massive tech show and its exhibits showcasing the latest in laundry innovation, you quickly realize these are not your grandparents' washing machines. A built-in sink on several soon-to-be released Samsung models allows you to soak or pretreat your clothes right from the washer. Then, when you are ready to start a load of laundry, you just simply lift the sink.
"The water automatically goes into the drum, along with the clothes that you have prewashed," said Brent Morris, a national product trainer with Samsung. "It's one simple step. You don't have to run across the house and dribble-drop all that soap and water all through your carpets."
A new line of machines from LG offers not just one washer, but also a second mini-wash below.
"So you can put bleach in that one, and then you can run this one with totally normal detergent at the exact same time," said Jesslyn Brown, an LG Spokesperson who showed off the new machine while trying to justify its existence.
"You could have a normal load of laundry going, and just have a few items that don't normally go in that load, that need to be washed separately or need special care, and that's where the second laundry really comes into play."
The new appliances are also "smarter." Whirpool's latest models let consumers customize their wash-cycle right from their cellphone. LG allows you to start your laundry from the couch using your television remote -- a notification even pops up on the screen when the wash is done.
Many of the newest machines are Wi-Fi enabled, so you can use your smartphone to start a load remotely. Rather than have your wet clothes just sit inside the washing machine for hours, because you started the wash just before you left before work, you can use your phone to start the washer when you get off work, so the load is done just as you return home.
The "smart washers" are part of a new wave of connected home products that allow buyers to control everything from their security system to their oven -- all with a simple swipe of your smartphone.
"I think because of advances in wireless technology and digital technology...to connect new devices in your home, you don't have to worry about laying new wire or tearing up the walls anymore," said Jim Barry, a CES spokesperson. "Whether it's the lights, or the heat, or the air conditioning, or entertainment system, you can connect it and control it from just about anywhere."
Household appliance sales in the U.S. have been on the decline, according to the market research firm, IBISWorld. The now $18.1 million dollar industry is down from $24.7 million in 2005 -- that's a 27 percent drop. Manufacturers hope the new high-tech options lead to higher profits, but the surplus of choices could end up leaving your laundry -- and your head -- spinning.