Test 4: Adhesion Tests LowWash and NoWash
Field Test LowWash
Background
Over four weeks in the spring of 2025, more than 110 people participated in Wargön Innovation's field test LowWash. The aim was to explore how Pure Effect Textile Spray can reduce everyday laundry, and what happens when people start to think before washing.
Why
We wanted to investigate whether the textile spray could genuinely change habits. How much less can one wash without compromising freshness and feel? And what is it like to swap the washing machine for bacteria working silently?
Method
Participants used the spray on their regular clothes – jeans, knitted sweaters, activewear, etc. – and reported how often they washed, how often they sprayed, and how many loads were run per week. During the test, digital meetings and live calls were offered, and weekly surveys were distributed.
Results & Insights
After four weeks, 89% reported that they had reduced their laundry. Most started to think more actively about their routines, aired clothes more often, and adopted new habits – such as hanging the evening's sweater on a hanger and spraying instead of putting it in the laundry basket.
Most common comments? "I no longer wash out of habit." The washing machine was used less out of routine, but the clothes still felt fresh.
Learnings
The field test confirms that behavioral change is possible and that the spray acts as a concrete catalyst. Fewer washes, less wear and tear from washing, likely longer garment life, and a new understanding of what clean truly means.
Field Test NoWash
Background
In the spring of 2025, Wargön Innovation conducted the field test NoWash. This time, the focus was on clothes and items that are rarely – or never – washed: stage costumes, shoes, workwear, sports equipment, and difficult-to-wash second-hand clothes. A total of 71 test subjects participated, several of whom were from organizations such as a conference facility, second-hand shops, and sports teams.
Why
We wanted to know how Pure Effect's textile spray works in real, demanding environments where dry cleaning, special washing, or odor problems are often bottlenecks. Can a bacteria-based spray make a difference here too, refreshing and extending the interval between use and washing for textile garments and items? And thereby enable more uses and postpone the time for disposal?
Method
For four weeks, participants regularly sprayed their difficult-to-wash garments and items and reported their experience, effect, and frequency of use via weekly surveys. An instructional video was produced by Pure Effect to standardize usage.
Results & Insights
Over 90% stated that they would continue to use the spray after the test. Most clearly described reduced odor, especially on sweaty sportswear, shoes, and stage costumes. The product was appreciated as simple, environmentally friendly, and time-saving, but several wished for a milder scent and larger bottles. Some pointed out that it requires some planning: the garment must have time to dry before the next use.
The spray refreshes clothes and effectively removes bad odor, particularly effective against sweat odor. Highly appreciated for difficult-to-wash garments such as shoes, sports bras, goalkeeper gloves, helmets, and sportswear.
Learnings
The NoWash test shows that the spray also works on textiles that normally require dry cleaning or special handling. It offers new opportunities for individuals and businesses, where less washing means savings in time, environment, and economic resources.
Glossary
✓BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotechnology involves using microorganisms to produce substances we need (such as medicines and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemicals) and to break down substances we want to remove; everything from grease and dirt to oil spills, wastewater, and toxic substances in soil and water.
✓BIOTECHNOLOGICAL CLEANING
The biological cleaning method differs radically from the chemical one. With the help of chemical cleaning agents, we can eliminate all life forms – friends and foes. This creates a temporary biological vacuum, where bacteria quickly re-establish themselves.
Cleaning with bacteria, Pure Effect's method, means that a selected and beneficial bacterial flora replaces that which arose randomly. Pure Effect's bacteria then effectively compete out the unwanted ones, which prolongs the effect of the biological cleaning.
✓ENZYMES
Enzymes are highly specialized substances produced by all living things. They are absolutely essential for specific biochemical reactions to take place at low temperatures, without the addition of energy, for example, inside the body. In laundry and cleaning products, enzymes specialized in breaking down fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and other organic waste are used.
✓FERMENTATION EXTRACT
A fermentation extract contains enzymes and forms the base of our cleaning products. The fermentation extract consists of fermenting bacteria and the enzymes they produce. The enzymes are specifically selected for our various products and their areas of application.
✓ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
Enzymatic hydrolysis is a process where specialized enzymes break down larger molecules into their constituent parts using water molecules. Our bacteria cleave fat molecules (triglycerides) into glycerol and free fatty acids, making them easily soluble and simpler for our beneficial bacteria to break down and consume.
✓PROBIOTIC
Probiotic bacteria are living bacteria with beneficial effects – not least in our bodies. Among other things, their activity inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria.
✓MICROBIOME
The term "microbiome" is used to define and describe a specific microbial ecosystem – that is, an ecosystem consisting of microorganisms. These miniature ecosystems, however, operate under the same laws as all other ecosystems on Earth. Organisms compete for resources, cooperate in networks, or wage war against each other – and those most successfully adapting to the surrounding environment will survive, reproduce, and dominate.
✓BACTERIA
Bacteria are microorganisms, meaning single-celled life forms. Our relationship with them is complicated, as we know that some of them cause diseases. But we also know that bacteria are essential for life both in nature and in the body. For humans, they can be both friends and foes. Our "friends" can be induced to perform a variety of useful services – what we call biotechnology. At Pure Effect, we use the ability of beneficial bacteria to break down dirt and remove odors, as well as their ability to outcompete or combat undesirable bacteria.
All life on Earth can be divided into three large, overarching categories (domains), based on genetic data. These domains consist of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. Bacteria consequently have an entire domain to themselves – a vast kingdom containing infinite variation and diversity. All bacteria, however, share certain common characteristics; among other things, they lack a cell nucleus. https://artfakta.se/taxa/5000052/information
The domain Archaea also contains only single-celled organisms. They lack a cell nucleus, but are not related to bacteria. Link: https://artfakta.se/taxa/5000082/information
The domain Eukaryota is characterized by a cell nucleus, but also largely consists of microorganisms. However, this kingdom also includes the exception: multicellular life forms; the visible "Life on Earth" – including ourselves. https://www.genteknik.se/ordlista/eukaryot/
✓MICROORGANISMS (microbes)
Microorganisms are very small, single-celled life forms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. "Microorganisms" or "microbes" is a collective term for bacteria, yeasts, microalgae, plankton, and molds, among others. These invisible life forms exist in all environments on Earth and play an important role in all ecosystems. They are the original force that drives the cycles of nature, and a large number of species (mainly bacteria) are essential for our own bodies.