Australian scientists 'invent self-cleaning clothes'

Stained clothes could be cleaned up when exposed to light, scientists claim.

Researchers say self-cleaning textiles developed at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology need just six minutes of sunshine or artificial light to break up spills and stains on clothing.

The breakthrough, which relies on nanostructures that are capable of degrading organic materials being attached to clothing, paves the way for garments to clean themselves while being worn.

The findings were published in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces.

Study author Dr Rajesh Ramanathan, from the university, said: “There's more work to do before we can start throwing out our washing machines, but this advance lays a strong foundation for the future development of fully self-cleaning textiles."

Dr Ramanathan said it could be particularly well suited to clothes worn during intense physical activity such as in sport and the military.