Design with a Cause: The Washing Machine Project - real-world design for real impact
Published 4th September 2025
A problem that sparks imagination
For millions around the world, washing clothes by hand is a daily burden, sometimes taking up to 20 hours a week. The Washing Machine Project tackles this challenge head-on with a simple but life-changing idea: a low-cost, portable, hand-operated washing machine designed for communities without reliable power or running water.
The project was inspired by engineer Nav Sawhney’s time volunteering in southern India. He witnessed firsthand the exhausting reality faced by his neighbour Divya, who spent hours each week handwashing clothes, limiting her opportunities for education and paid work. From this experience, Nav set out to design a practical solution that could save time, water, and physical strain.
Divya: design with purpose
The result is the ‘Divya’ washing machine, named in honour of Nav’s neighbour. Lightweight, portable, and operated entirely by hand, it reduces washing time to just 20 minutes and uses only 10 litres of water. Its design incorporates the needs of users in refugee camps in Iraq, including larger capacity, standing operation, and minimal use of soap to avoid skin irritation.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can empower communities, improve daily life, and support local economies through maintenance and production. For D&T teachers, this is a perfect example of design thinking applied in a global, humanitarian context.
Bringing global challenges into the classroom
The Design & Technology Association’s 'Inspired by Industry' context uses the Washing Machine Project to help teachers show students the real-world impact of their subject. In the context 'Improving the laundry process at a school in Uganda', pupils explore the daily challenges faced by people who still wash by hand and are asked to think creatively about small but meaningful improvements. This approach allows students to see how design and technology can address real needs, consider the values of users in different contexts, and develop problem-solving skills that matter far beyond the classroom.
‘Inspired by Industry’ is free for all teachers to use, with additional member-only tasks and activities available for Design & Technology Association members.
A story of creativity and compassion
The Washing Machine Project is a volunteer-led initiative relying on donations, with a goal to provide more Divya machines to communities in need.
For teachers, this project is more than a case study. It is a living example of how thoughtful design can create positive change, spark empathy, and inspire the next generation of designers to solve meaningful problems.
