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Good news may be on the way for people who hate doing the laundry – self-cleaning clothes. Scientists in China are developing a fabric that cleans itself under the sunlight. This could make washing clothes a thing of the past. Researchers at Shanghai’s Jiao Tong University and Hubei University created a chemical that causes cotton materials to clean themselves under the sun. The chemical coating is made from titanium dioxide, which breaks down dirt and stains, and removes odours when placed under the sun.
The researchers say their discovery is cheap, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Titanium dioxide is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world. It is in sunscreen, kitchen and bathroom tiles, and odour-free socks. A test showed that the chemical completely removed a large orange stain on a white piece of cotton cloth in just two hours of sunlight. Many stores are interested in selling self-cleaning clothes. However, shop owners from rainy countries are keeping quiet about the product.
