Patent ID: 7493784

Claim:
A washing machine comprising a detachable water treatment unit that applies a voltage between electrodes and thereby elutes therefrom metal ions that exert an antimicrobial effect, wherein, in a water feed route for feeding water to a washing tub, there are provided a water feed port and a water receive port, which are arranged in a top surface of the washing machine, wherein the water treatment unit has, in a portion near one end of a bottom surface of an elongate case, an inflow port to be connected to the water feed port and an outflow port to be connected to the water receive port, and has, in a portion near the other end of the bottom surface of the case, connector portions for energizing the electrodes, any of the inflow port, the outflow port, and the connector portions protruding perpendicularly downward, and wherein the water treatment unit is fitted to the top surface of the washing machine by bayonet coupling.