Imagine being able to shower or wash your hair on the go, indoors or out, and still be virtually dry without dripping water or the need for a towel. That’s exactly what the makers of Yoomiily promise with what they claim is the world’s first portable shower and drying system.
Both ingenious and bizarre, the 4kg (9lb) gadget looks more like a mini vacuum cleaner, but its creators say the magic happens beneath its unassuming grey exterior. A unique water filtration system pumps water into the shower 'head', which then sprays it out as a fine mist, while a powerful opposing pump draws moisture back into the unit, so skin and hair are virtually dry after just a few minutes.
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The suction system leaves the user around 90% dry and stores used water in a separate compartment from the fresh tank, which holds three litres by 3 litres. The team behind it say it saves 90% more water than a traditional shower.
The interchangeable shower heads are designed for different functions, and the manufacturer says the Yoomiily can wash pets as deftly as it washes human hair, and in just a minute. While we can’t verify its capabilities, if it lives up to its promises, it could be a life-changer for dog owners with dogs who are afraid of water. And the drip-free, quick-drying system means there’s no leftover water for pets to shake off.
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The Yoomiily is battery-powered and promises an hour of uninterrupted showering – a full-body wash takes just a few minutes, and a short-hair shampoo only a notable one – and returns to a full charge in just under two hours. Given the speed of its washing and drying system, this makes it ideal for taking on a weekend camping trip.
Besides spending time outdoors or traveling to places where shower facilities are not readily available, there are also some easy-to-imagine uses for this unit near your home.
Yoomiily’s creators say it’s ideal for caregivers and anyone with limited mobility – you don’t have to go into a ‘wet area’ like the bathroom, and you can wash your hair with your clothes on. It also lets you easily keep parts of your body out of the water, which is important for wound healing and often difficult to do.
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It would also come in handy for anyone for whom traditional facilities aren’t adaptable. (For example, after I broke three bones in my ankle, I had no way of navigating the shower at my old house, which was positioned over a high, narrow tub and half-blocked by a fixed shower curtain. Yoomiily would be a game-changer.)
It boasts water efficiency – just 100ml is used to shampoo short hair – and promises a deep clean in just one minute. Manufacturers say the secret lies in its ‘micro-hydro technology’, which we’re told looks like an ultra-fine mist emerging from the nozzle and then quickly being sucked back into the unit.
Currently the focus of a crowdfunding campaign, Yoomiily has raised more than 50 times its goal, so it will enter production and start shipping in October. The base unit is selling for $249, a 56% discount off retail, and comes with a shower head, a long hair/pet wash suction cup, a short hair suction cup, a “special shampoo,” a “special body wash,” and 10 cleansing pads. Additional products can also be purchased as add-ons.
It’ll ship worldwide, but check out the Kickstarter campaign to see how much you’ll have to pay (and watch a truly memorable promotional video). US shipping is $32. The unit is also backed by a two-year warranty.
Source: Kickstarter