New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): In response to the rising threat of mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have developed an innovative mosquito-repellent detergent that could offer long-lasting protection through everyday laundry.
Traditional repellents — including liquids, coils, creams, roll-ons, sprays, and patches — often have limited effectiveness or lose potency over time. The IIT Delhi team’s new detergents, available in both powder and liquid forms, provide protection by making clothing itself less attractive to mosquitoes, while maintaining standard wash-care performance.
“We have developed smart detergents to protect people from dangerous mosquito-borne diseases. These products have been tested in a commercial laboratory and shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes,” said Prof. Javed Nabibaksha Sheikh from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering.
The team used the “hand-in-cage” method for testing: volunteers inserted hands covered with washed fabrics into a box containing starved mosquitoes, and researchers counted the number of mosquitoes attempting to land. Fabrics washed with the new detergents showed a substantial decline in mosquito landings.
Because a mosquito’s proboscis can easily penetrate fabric, preventing them from landing is critical. The active ingredients in the detergents bind to textile fibers during washing, altering cues that mosquitoes use for smell and taste, making the fabric far less appealing.
Since clothes are washed regularly, the repellent effect is naturally renewed with each wash, ensuring sustained protection.
A patent has been filed, and commercialisation of the smart detergents is expected soon, IIT Delhi stated.
