Lion Corporation (Representative Director, President and Executive Officer: Masayuki Takemori) will undertake the launch of the NANOX Washing Tub Antimold Ball for Top Load Washing Machines at select retail outlets and online stores*1 on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. By simply keeping the ball in the tub of their washing machines while doing laundry, users can prevent the development of mold and the buildup of damp, musty odors, thereby helping to prevent them from forming on clothing.
*1 AEON (excluding Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa), CAINZ, Sugi Pharmacy, Don Quijote chain stores, Rakuten 24 (availability may vary by store)
- Launch of the NANOX Washing Tub Antimold Ball for Top Load Washing Machines—Simply place this device in the tubs of your washing machine to prevent odor-causing mold from forming and eliminate damp, musty odors from clothing.
- The device imparts water used during the washing process with antibacterial properties, preventing odor-causing mold from forming within the machine’s tub
- This mold and odor suppression ball keeps washing machine tubs clean through multiple uses (for up to one month)
1. Objective of Introducing the New Product
The Lion Group, aiming to realize a sustainable society, is striving to promote the reduction of water usage in line with the long-term environmental goals of LION Eco Challenge 2050,*2 established in 2019. Due to the significant amount of energy consumed in purifying, transporting and treating wastewater, the Company has focused efforts on water conservation in laundry. In recent years, the laundry detergent market has continued its shift toward high-value-added products. Recognizing this trend, the Company is committed to developing proprietary products that offer significant value, including water-saving benefits.
This drastically reduces laundry tub cleaning frequency, cutting down on both the water and effort required for cleaning. It also thoroughly prevents the formation of stubborn damp, musty odors that fabric softeners and bleach alone cannot eliminate. Through this proprietary Plus One Habit, we propose a solution that saves water while maintaining the cleanliness of both the tub and your clothes, creating a new market.
*2 【Related Information】Refer to the long-term environmental goal LION Eco Challenge 2050
*3 September 2023 LION survey on laundry habits; 1,132 participants
*4 September 2024 LION survey on laundry habits; 2,000 participants
2. Release Date and Region
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
AEON (excluding Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa), CAINZ, Sugi Pharmacy, Don Quijote chain stores, Rakuten 24 (availability may vary by store)
3. Product Name, Contents and Price
| Product name |
Contents |
Recommended retail price |
| NANOX Washing Tub Antimold Ball for Top Load Washing Machines |
Main product |
・1 Ball
・1 Antibacterial Stick |
No recommended retail price |
| Refill pack |
・2 Antibacterial Sticks |
4. Product Features
(1) Simply placing the ball in the washing machine tub imparts antibacterial properties to water used during the washing process, preventing mold and associated odors from developing
The Antibacterial Stick, incorporating antibacterial ingredients and a new deodorizing component, gradually dissolves during the wash cycle, imparting antibacterial properties to water used during the washing process, which then spreads across every surface of the tub and permeates the clothing being washed.
(2) Prevents mold and odors from forming in the washing machine tub, keeping it clean throughout use
Antibacterial water coats the inside and outside of the laundry tub, making it harder for mold and associated odors to develop during and between uses.
The tub stays clean longer, reducing the burden of cleaning.
Test Conditions: Fungal count (per 10cm x 10cm) on the underside of the washing machine's tub after one month of washing clothing with model stains in a new washing machine.
Without ball: Used Lion liquid detergent, Lion fabric softener, and a commercially available oxygen-based bleach.
With ball: Used the above plus the NANOX Washing Tub Antimold Ball for Top Loading Washing Machines. (This product is not a mold remover.)
(3) Reduces tub cleaning frequency, thereby cutting down on overall water usage
Each reduced tub cleaning cycle saves approximately 410 liters of water and approximately 112 liters for each standard wash cycle.*5
*5 Calculated based on representative models of major domestic washing machine manufacturers.
(4) Thoroughly eliminates stubborn damp, musty odors that even antibacterial detergents, deodorizing fabric softeners and bleach are unable to prevent
The new deodorizing ingredient slowly dissolves, yielding water with antibacterial properties that thoroughly penetrates fabrics during washing, eliminating odors at their source and effectively preventing stubborn damp, musty odors.
(5) Effect lasts for up to one month; for top-loading washing machines only*6
One Antibacterial Stick lasts for approximately one month.
*6 Confirmed by Lion for normal household use in top-loading washing machines. Not for use in front-loading washing machines or drying cycles.
