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Environment

Bye Bye Laundry, hello charcoal clothes hangers

By Dave Parrack
October 11, 2012
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Bye Bye Laundry is a range of clothes hangers that uses the power of activated charcoal to absorb odors
Bye Bye Laundry is a range of clothes hangers that uses the power of activated charcoal to absorb odors
The Bye Bye Laundry clothes hangers are designed in such a way that different garments can be hung on them
A close-up of the glass chamber and its activated charcoal contents sitting atop the Bye Bye Laundry clothes hangers
The different components that make up the Bye Bye Laundry clothes hangers
A Bye Bye Laundry clothes hanger at the construction stage, with the components laid out ready for putting together
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Recent design graduate Lisa Marie Bengtsson believes many of us wash our clothes far more often than is necessary. And she may well be correct. Certainly, we're generally brought up to believe that clothes need to be washed after being worn for a certain length of time, whether they're actually dirty or not. It's hard to argue against underwear and other garments that are in direct contact with our bodies being washed very regularly, but what about other garments that merely act as extra outer layers? Perhaps the Bye Bye Laundry clothes hanger is the answer.

Still just a concept, Bye Bye Laundry is a collection of clothes hangers designed to offer an alternative to washing. Bengtsson suggests that rather then needing to be washed in a machine, oftentimes clothes need nothing more than a good airing. And the Bye Bye Laundry hangers are designed to aid that natural process.

Each hanger consists of a wire hook attached to a wooden base that holds a glass chamber in place, as well as a ring for the clothes to actually hang on. Within the glass chamber is activated charcoal that has been treated with oxygen to create a highly porous material capable of absorbing odors from the clothes hanging underneath. A filter in the base allows the clothes to interact with the charcoal, thereby banishing any smells within a few days.

The different components that make up the Bye Bye Laundry clothes hangers

The hook is designed to fit on many different objects, including door handles, chairs, and windows, while the ring is designed to enable different garments to be hung in place – trousers can be folded and fed through the ring, while a shirt can be hung over it instead. The chamber is designed to allow the charcoal to be replaced as and when necessary.

As more of us become aware of the need to conserve natural resources, this kind of thinking should become more commonplace. Airing clothes rather than washing them is a very simple task we could all get used to, and by doing so it would save water and the energy needed to heat it. Even more so than owning a "waterless" washing machine could.

Bye Bye Laundry is presently just a concept, so it remains to be seen whether it makes the jump to commercial availability.

Source: Lisa Marie Bengtsson via Dezeen

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EnvironmentOdorClothesLaundry
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Dave Parrack
Dave is a technology journalist with a ravenous appetite for gadgets, gizmos, and gubbins. He's based in the UK, and from his center of operations writes about all facets of modern and future technology. He has learned more in his five years writing for the Web than he did in 11 years at school, and with none of the boring subjects thrown in to the mix.
10 comments
Gadgeteer
Doesn't look like it would be effective. The clothing is just draped several layers thick over the thin hangers, which impedes airflow to the innermost layers. A simpler idea might be a thick "3D" hanger that would make a space in the middle of the clothing for better airflow, almost like it was actually draped around a human body. They would take up more space in your closet, but there's no way out of that if you want airflow.
Mark Temple
while it might absorb odor coming off the clothing, it doesn't look like it would do anything for eliminating the cause of odor.. which is the bacteria and other microorganisms breaking down the chemicals of sweat and other contaminants. and unlike hitting the piece of clothing with a spraying of frebreeze or similar chemical, these hangers don't look like they'd effect the apparent smell on the clothing itself, as opposed to the smell said clothing would fill a closet with.
Brendan Dunphy
Try hanging in the sun, if you have that luxury...
Blind Librarian
I don´t see the need of the activated charcoal at all. If the suggested procedure is to hang our used clothes for a few days, just by doing that in regular hangers in well ventilated places would be enogh to get rid of most (but not all) odors...
Bruce H. Anderson
I think Mr. Temple has identified the main failing of the Bye Bye Laundry idea. On a sartorial note, might I suggest something other than a loop so that shirts and trousers don't turn into a wrinkled mess as they hang. If you just wear sweats and tees, and don't mind the rumpled hipster look, then no problem.
garyO
Just hang your clothes, on a hanger, on a washing line on a breezy day, especially if the sun is shining. Sounds like that would work OK, maybe !
StWils
All the preceeding comments have merit but basically this is a tacky idea that will have the same short life as another similarly tacky idea from the 70's. That bad idea was a spray can of dry powdery detergent so a girl could "wash" her hair on the run. Just spray this crap all over her head and then comb out a fine powdery dust. Voila`. Did not last a single full year on the market. Even a ginsu knife sharpener for the kitchen AND lawnmower is a better idea.
kellory
Miss Bengtsson, I would suggest a change in design. Get rid of the loop idea. make your hangers about the same size as good wooden hangers, but made of a perforated PVC pipe with a removable plug in one end. fill the tube with the activated charcoal. It would allow clothes to hang correctly, fit your closets correctly, and do exactly what you want it to do. Once redesigned, market them to hunters. Scent is the easiest way to get busted by the game, and hunters work hard to be scent free. The most expensive hunting clothing contains activated charcoal, though it can not be reactivated after it is saturated without extreme heat. Heat that would damage the clothing. The activated charcoal could be removed from the hangers, baked in the oven, and returned to the hangers in a few hours. This idea has merit, and I may start making my own ones soon, for my hunting clothes. Activated charcoal, and Baking soda are both used by hunters to absorb as much scent as possible.
Phileaux
Or do what is recommended for cigar smokers clothes: One large plastic bag, insert clothes, insert plate with a baking soda/activated charcoal combo. Seal off bag till next morning. I know "what about air flow?" beats me, it just works every time. Some smokers have gotten fancy and have used (long) gym lockers in their garage that they seal off. Plates are placed on floor and top shelf. Mostly fancier clothes that are dry clean only are kept in there.
GOWTHI
Good technology but, i have doubt that it absorbs odour and germs. because germs may lead to some diseases.
hats off to technology..........
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