2002 ES-U80D/U70D Ag⁺ Ion Washing Machines

These washing machines incorporated a world-first technology to disinfect and deodorize laundry^* by releasing Ag⁺ (silver) ions into the final rinse cycle. Ag⁺ ions prevent the growth of bacteria on laundry and, while clothes are being worn, control odors from sweat until the next wash. The machines were also equipped with Sharp's unique ultrasonic spot cleaner, a device that vibrated at approximately 34,000 times per second to generate tiny vacuum bubbles that could get between the strands of fabric. The bubbles collided with each other to produce shock waves of about 1,000 hectopascal of atmospheric pressure that stripped away tough soil and stains on collars.

• *Test method: JIS L 1902 Testing for Antibacterial Activity and Efficacy on Textile Products.