Steam Cleaner Machine

Use steam cleaner machine when washing cars instead of the modern way which consumes less water.

A steam cleaner machine is a portable machine that uses steam for washing cars. The steam cleaner machine is adjusted to a high pressure (1.0 MPa) and high temperature(180 Degrees Celsius) to produce steam that is used to wash the car. The steam cleans the car surfaces and the interior part of the car at the same time disinfecting the car meaning it removes dirt, germs and viruses which may be found in the car. The steam used prevents the car surface from being scratched and there is no need for using detergents which is more suitable for car owners who have sinusitis. It uses up to a maximum of 20 liters for each car hence no water wasted in the washing of the car. Steam cleaner machines are powered either by electricity or Liquified Petroleum/ Propane Gas (LPG) but we prefer the LPG-powered one because it does not only save water but saves electricity too. 

We are trying to solve the problem of water wastage and scarcity found in Swaziland. In 2016 there was a tremendous drought in Swaziland especially in Mbabane to the point that there were scheduled times when water would be available on specific places around the city. This affected about 61, 940 people who lived around the city by that time but also the people who worked and schooled in the city. In the current age water prices are high because they are trying to limit the use of water. The prices of water being high makes it almost impossible for the poor people to get access to clean water which leads to them consuming unsterilized water which is bad for their health, leads to diarrhea outbreaks. Water shortages is caused by the many car washes around the country which waste so much water, there is also wastage in public places such as schools due to the lack of education on the importance of saving water. Another contributing factor to water shortage is climate change, the temperatures are becoming excessively high whilst there is less rain so more water is evaporating from the water sources due to the heat and less is restored through rain. Also, some people practice backyard farming which requires water and most people do not recycle the water when watering their plants and vegetables which leads to water shortages. 

The steam washer machine is portable which will make the car wash to be a mobile car wash. This is more suitable for the car owners who are too busy to be driving to car washes to just order the services at any place and have their cars washed in a matter of minutes. It is also helpful to the young people as they are the future, to educate on the importance of sustainability not only on water but on all natural resources. I firmly believe that this steam wash machine will open doors for other innovative to be implemented to help preserve the scarce resources. These are not the only people to benefit from this but also the whole population, especially the underprivileged, will be served as there will be less water wastage hence there will be more water and hopefully the prices of water will be lowered. This will mean that they will be able to afford clean water reducing the diarrhea outbreaks. 

We have distributed questionnaires on social media such as WhatsApp asking car owners if they would love the idea of a mobile steam car wash. I do not have any experience on steam car washes mainly because there are none in my country, Swaziland but I have an experience with the traditional car washes. This experience is the motivation behind this solution because I got to see how much water is wasted on car washes and the mosquitos that are attracted to the mud puddles formed by the water in car washes. Over 90% of the car owners absolutely loved the idea mainly because they also understand the need to save water but also it seems to be cheaper as they cut the travelling fees to car washes which may be far from where they reside. Also, there is no odor after washing making it to be more pleasant especially to the owners who have sinus infection. The steam car wash is also approved by car owners because it is more a favorable option in the coronavirus era as it kills germs inside the car and also there is no need for going to large crowds to get their cars washed.

The solution is still a concept because for now it is still in our heads and still gathering more information on the steam washer machine on how it works and how it can affect the society. There is a business plan for the mobile steam car wash which will be used to look for funding for buying the steam wash machine and be able to start in areas around Matsapha, Manzini and Mbabane. On the pilot stage we are estimating to test the machine on at least 10 cars and receive feedback from the owners on whether they approve it and if there is any room for improvement. With that being said, we are looking forward to begin the pilot stage by the second quarter of the year have it fully established before the year ends.

The solution is not yet launched but is expected to serve at least 100 people in the next year. This should be enough people to have the solution fully on board and start making profits.

The solution is not only going to serve the car owners but many lives will be impacted. From the profits that will be made from the mobile steam car wash a portion will be used to help the underprivileged students especially in the rural areas to help pay for their fees. We have also observed how many students suffer especially during winter when it comes to school uniform so another portion will be used to buy jerseys and shoes to protect the young ones from the cold. Moreover, some students will be hired during school holidays so they earn some extra cash but also to be educated on the importance of saving water. Lastly, we plan on opening a program which will educate the different age groups on what sustainability is and how it is important. 

My progress will be measured by lowering poverty in my community which is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). As people will be hired in the mobile steam car wash it means that they will be earning income which will help them to improve their standards of living. Also, achieving clean water and sanitation, the steam wash machine consuming less water means that there will be more water at disposal and may lower water prices making it affordable for people to get access to clean water. Furthermore, we aim to achieve good health and well being as our solution will disinfect cars preventing the spread of diseases in the car and the coronavirus. The steam car washer will not be using detergents which is more suitable for sinus infected car owners. There will also be less spread of malaria due to lack of water puddles formed which attract mosquitos which are the agents for spreading malaria.

The main barrier right now is getting funding to implement the mobile steam car wash. The machine is expensive and also needs a truck which will be used to transport it which is quite difficult to fund through my savings as I am only a student. Also, most people are not yet ready to fully change to the steam car washer as they have some questions on how it works and if it is safe for their cars. Another barrier which we consider as a blessing in disguise is that there are no competitors for the steam car wash so people are not yet exposed to this method. This means that there is more money needed for marketing the steam car washer so more people get enlightened of how it works and how good it is for their cars. Lastly, as the car wash is planned to be mobile it is difficult to reach some places due to damaged roads making other places to be inaccessible.  

Me and my team are situated in an industrial area, Matsapha, where there is a large population hence a huge demand for clean water. This means that there should be less water wastage as possible in this area and also there is a possibility for a large market. Having an experience at car washes it will enable us to know how to do a great job in a way that consumes less water. Working in a car wash has helped me to see how much water, about 50 liters, is wasted when washing a single car. Having relatives who have sinusitis I experienced them having the sinuses triggered because of the strong perfumed detergents and saw that as an opportunity to come with a solution that will solve that problem. My team member is from Mbabane and he has experienced the drought season in 2016 at firsthand and saw how difficult it was working without water. This is what gives us an advantage because we know how bad it can become and feel that it was our duty to ensure that nothing like that ever happens. The steam cleaner machine is the solution to conserve water so that we do not experience the drought season which is always accompanied by hunger as people cannot plant crops for food. My team represents the underprivileged well because we know how painful it is not having money to buy a school jersey which is the reason behind us wanting to use profit money to invest in warm clothing for school going children and help them pay their fees. 

The mobile steam car wash is a solution to unmet environmental, educational and economic needs in Swaziland. This is because the steam car washer will not cause any water pollution and wastage which is a problem being faced by many African countries in the present day. The steam wash machine will also create a room for educating our community members on the importance of saving water, sustainability as a whole. There are also some needy students who are going to benefit from this mobile steam car wash as the profits will be used to aid in their payment of school fees so no child has to drop out of school due to lack of money. Lastly, young people will be hired to work in the mobile steam car wash and they will be earning monthly salaries. This will lower the rate of unemployment in the country and at the same time providing stable income to some of the families so family members have something to put on the table. The government is also going to benefit from this through corporate tax which will be used to improve the provision of services in the country.