Awesome or awful? Self-cleaning underwear

The future is coming, and it won't require Woolite.

Published July 14, 2008 4:15PM (EDT)

The Independent picks up a funny story today by Adrienne So, which originally ran on Slate, touting newfangled bra technology and investigating the possibility of a jogging bra that could power her iPod. (It could happen!) What really grabbed my attention, however, was a sidebar about upcoming clothing inventions. Ladies and gentlemen, set your clocks and toss your fabric softener because the future is coming and it will not require 5-for-1 boy short sales at Victoria's Secret:

"Self-cleaning underwear

Scientists working for the US military have used self-cleaning fabrics to create T-shirts and underwear that can be worn for weeks without washing. The garments, which use nanoparticles and chemicals to repel water, oil and bacteria, cost 14 [million pounds] to develop and have been licensed to Alexium Group in London for civilian use. Available soon."

So it's like a self-cleaning oven, but you wear it on your privates. Sounds creepy -- and convenient! As someone who can't stand the laundromat, I'm so torn! Self-cleaning underwear: Awesome or awful?


By Sarah Hepola

Sarah Hepola is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, "Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget."

MORE FROM Sarah Hepola


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Broadsheet Love And Sex