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Laundry Mate

The perfect companion for accessible, effortless laundry - all in one place

Anastasia Kkama Surfaro

Project Detail

Laundry Mate is an inclusive laundry product designed to support individuals with arthritis, dexterity challenges, and mobility limitations by reducing physical and cognitive strain during everyday laundry tasks. The ergonomic pear-shaped design opens into colour-coded sections with magnetic fastenings for simple one-handed use and organisation. This all-in-one system securely protects garments throughout the wash cycle while also helping prevent the loss of small items such as scarves, socks, underwear, baby grows and gloves etc. during the laundry process. It can also be used for storage when dry, stands alone for easy loading, usable on counter tops and is fully collapsible when not in use.

image of a pear shaped mesh bag with a carrying handle.

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The Primary benefit of Laundry Mate as an innovation, is its potential to transform a complicated laundry routine into one accessible, user-centred solution that promotes independence, dignity, ease of us and reduces cognitive strain. By replacing multiple zipped mesh bags with a single intuitive product, the design improves accessibility, organisation, and efficiency. The concept also reflects principles of emotional and inclusive design by considering users’ visceral, behavioural, and reflective experiences through familiarity, accessibility, and emotional comfort.

Hand drawings showing the sections of the laundry mate, different colours who the different sections. Text points out the easy grip and hold loop, the organised sections, one handed use, colour coded sections, magnetic fastening, breathable mesh for wet and dry use, sustainable materials - 100% PET, stand alone when full, collapsible for storage.

Problem Statement

The project focuses on the accessibility challenges some people experience during domestic laundry tasks, particularly the physical and cognitive difficulties involved in handling, sorting, and organising smaller garments. These challenges include gripping, bending, lifting, and keeping track of items, which can become increasingly difficult for individuals with arthritis, limited dexterity, or mobility restrictions. As a result, everyday laundry routines can lead to joint discomfort, repetitive strain, frustration, and increased reliance on carers or additional support from friends and family.  (see image below)

Storyboard showing the struggles of a mother of dealing with laundry with a broken arm and a baby. Issues identified include bending to pick up clothes affecting back and shoulder, the machne door being too low, loading clothes one handed is slow and frustrating. The question is asked what if the laundry system worked with the user.

My Process

Primary research involved immersive simulations, such as restricting one arm using a Pilates band, alongside contextual observations in homes and launderettes. Initial ideas were generated through sketching, Biomimicry, and Constructive Discontent by analysing the laundry journey in stages. Eight concepts were evaluated using a selection matrix. The final design combined the best features of three top concepts, incorporating designs solutions like magnetic closures and colour-coded compartments, to create a fully inclusive solution.

Storyboard showing how magnetic closures on sections make loading easier. Sections are detachable but can go into the washing machine as a whole and then sections can be detached for separate hanging and drying.

I am a mature student with my own business in cake making and design. I am passionate about creativity, innovation, and using my T317 design journey to develop my skills and explore inclusive, thoughtful solutions to real-world challenges.

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