ODO, a San Francisco-based apparel company, has claimed to have created an interesting line of self-cleaning T-shirts and denim jeans that never stink or stain. The line of self-cleaning garments introduced by the company through a ‘Kick-starter campaign’, features denim jeans in varied styles and cotton T-shirts.
The garments created by the company have two self-cleaning properties. The garments have silver fibres that are woven into the cotton fabric and a coating on the surface of the fabric. The silver thread helps combat odour, while the coating on the surface of the fabric aids in repelling liquid.
According to the company, their patent-pending technology uses 99.9 per cent pure silver-bonded polymer to permanently kill the odour-producing bacteria. The silver threads release an ‘infinite supply of positively charged silver ions’, which in turn penetrate bacteria cells and disrupt their cell division, thus, stopping bad odours.
Besides, ODO garments are also coated with protein-based NanoSphere, a patent-pending material. The coating repels substances like water, oil, ketchup and all kinds of dirt. The garment created need minimal or no washing and, in turn, helps conserve water – a major concern in drought-plagued California. ODO estimated that one pair of jeans needs approximately 7,200 glasses of water a year.
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The company launched the ’Kickstarter campaign’ on 7 December with a goal to raise a fund worth US$10,000 and so far it has raised money worth US $91,000. The campaign ends on 30 January 2016.
The company’s founders were inspired to create the fabric after they heard Chip Bergh, CEO of denim brand, Levis Strauss & Co, saying that jeans should be washed less frequently to preserve the fabric and save water.
Ansen Wen, Chief Technology Officer, ODO said, “Like many people, I am so busy that I don’t always have time to wash my jeans and clothes. But I like to stay clean and fresh. This is how we got the idea for a self-cleaning fabric. Jeans and T-shirts are just the beginning.”
