WASHING METHOD AND WASHING MACHINE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine to which a water softening device capable of being regenerated without the need of replenishing a special agent for the regeneration by a user is mounted. SOLUTION: The washing machine includes water softening means 5 in which a cation exchange material having an electrostatic coupling action is filled, and water to be used for washing is softened by the water softening means 5 and supplied to a washing tub 1 housing laundry through a detergent case 9. Thereafter, by supplying a softener with a chelate bonding action to the water softening means 5, hard water components are separated from the water softening means 5 by a chelate action and regeneration is performed. Then, the water containing the softener is introduced from softener supply means 10 to the washing tub 1 and is used for rinsing. Thus, the water softening device capable of regeneration without need of replenishing a special agent for regeneration by a user is achieved. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT