Would you use a shower-washing machine?

As the world's population grows, many designers and inventors are looking at ways to increase water conservation.

A group of Turkish design students from the Middle East Technical University have come up with a concept that not only saves water, but time and possibly money too.

It's called a Washit, and it's a combination shower-washing machine.

The Washit won a 2012 iF concept design award, (one of six in the category) and was praised by jury members, including one who said, "A clever solution: identical components, resource-saving, aesthetic appeal, hygienic. Great job!"



The Washit works by gathering grey water (water that's been previously used in the household, but isn't sewage) from the shower, filtering and transferring it into the unit's storage tank. The storage tank can then supply either the washing machine or the shower with the filtered water. LED lights indicate the status of the filters.

Once enough water is in the storage tank, the washing machine can begin to clean the clothes. It also appears that the Washit would have the ability to dry the clothes as well.

The design team imagined versions for both public and private use, creating a scenario where people in airports could shower and clean their clothes at the same time. The public use version involves putting clothes into the washer from inside the shower stall instead the outside. Currently, the device exists only as a concept, and not an actual device that can be purchased.

What do you think of the shower-washing machine? Is it a good idea?