Whirlpool & The Washing Machine Project: Empowering Women with Manual Washing Machines
In March 2024, Pam Klyn, President of the Whirlpool Foundation, traveled with a small team from Whirlpool Corporation from Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Puducherry, India. Their mission was to tackle a pressing issue faced by nearly 60% of the global population—relying on handwashing clothes due to limited access to consistent electricity and clean water. While Whirlpool had previously looked into this challenge, distributing manual washing machines in remote regions proved logistically difficult.
The Whirlpool team was hosted by Navjot Sawhney, founder and CEO of The Washing Machine Project. The two organizations had connected in 2023 over their aligned goals. Sawhney, an engineer, had invented a manual washing machine designed to ease the strain of handwashing, a chore that disproportionately affects women and girls. This visit marked the beginning of distributing these machines in Puducherry, a region where Whirlpool has an operational presence, and signified a crucial milestone for both partners and the local community.
Whirlpool began collaborating with The Washing Machine Project upon recognizing the significant impact they could achieve together. The Project needed help scaling the production of manual machines, while Whirlpool, with prior experience developing a similar device, required distribution support. By joining forces, they were able to expand their reach and bring practical, time-saving solutions to underserved populations.
“Partnering with Whirlpool has greatly amplified our efforts,” said Sawhney. “We deeply appreciate their commitment. Together, we’re working to close the global laundry gap and support a more just and thriving future for women and girls.”
Over the past year, nearly 340 Whirlpool employees volunteered close to 4,000 hours to assemble 645 manual washing machines using an efficient, volunteer-designed production line. Whirlpool also hosted “Washout” events, giving participants firsthand experience of the challenges millions face when handwashing clothes. These events fostered empathy and deepened employees’ connection to the cause. The jointly-produced machines have been distributed to communities in India, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, and Mexico—positively impacting more than 11,000 individuals.
“Our team has shown tremendous dedication in supporting this effort,” said Klyn. “They recognize how transformative this innovation can be in empowering women and girls, and the enthusiasm to continue this work is incredible.”
One standout success story is the Pottery Collective in Chiapas, Mexico. This small cooperative of five households—around 20 people—shares a manual washer in their shared outdoor space. The added convenience has enabled them to spend more time on income-generating pottery and other important activities, demonstrating the broader economic and social value of the initiative.
In recognition of their work, Whirlpool and The Washing Machine Project received the Gold Halo Award for Best Employee Engagement Initiative from Engage for Good in April 2025. They are also finalists for a National Manufacturing Leadership Award in the Collaborative Ecosystems category.
The Whirlpool team was hosted by Navjot Sawhney, founder and CEO of The Washing Machine Project. The two organizations had connected in 2023 over their aligned goals. Sawhney, an engineer, had invented a manual washing machine designed to ease the strain of handwashing, a chore that disproportionately affects women and girls. This visit marked the beginning of distributing these machines in Puducherry, a region where Whirlpool has an operational presence, and signified a crucial milestone for both partners and the local community.
Whirlpool began collaborating with The Washing Machine Project upon recognizing the significant impact they could achieve together. The Project needed help scaling the production of manual machines, while Whirlpool, with prior experience developing a similar device, required distribution support. By joining forces, they were able to expand their reach and bring practical, time-saving solutions to underserved populations.
“Partnering with Whirlpool has greatly amplified our efforts,” said Sawhney. “We deeply appreciate their commitment. Together, we’re working to close the global laundry gap and support a more just and thriving future for women and girls.”
Over the past year, nearly 340 Whirlpool employees volunteered close to 4,000 hours to assemble 645 manual washing machines using an efficient, volunteer-designed production line. Whirlpool also hosted “Washout” events, giving participants firsthand experience of the challenges millions face when handwashing clothes. These events fostered empathy and deepened employees’ connection to the cause. The jointly-produced machines have been distributed to communities in India, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, and Mexico—positively impacting more than 11,000 individuals.
“Our team has shown tremendous dedication in supporting this effort,” said Klyn. “They recognize how transformative this innovation can be in empowering women and girls, and the enthusiasm to continue this work is incredible.”
One standout success story is the Pottery Collective in Chiapas, Mexico. This small cooperative of five households—around 20 people—shares a manual washer in their shared outdoor space. The added convenience has enabled them to spend more time on income-generating pottery and other important activities, demonstrating the broader economic and social value of the initiative.
In recognition of their work, Whirlpool and The Washing Machine Project received the Gold Halo Award for Best Employee Engagement Initiative from Engage for Good in April 2025. They are also finalists for a National Manufacturing Leadership Award in the Collaborative Ecosystems category.
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