Take it easy! It is not the "dirty clothes" bag that you are imagining. Chemistry, unfortunately, cannot help in those cases. But, when we deal with the common ordinary clothes of every day, I am sure, it is Chemistry that guarantees they will be back clean and fresh, for a new use. And Chemistry is not present only in the powdered soaps, brightening agents, softeners or other products used in all homes to wash the clothes that helped us to make a living one more day.

Chemistry actually shares the whole process, making this important and necessary task easier and faster. Would you imagine that the washing machine is, in its essence, a product of chemical origin? Difficult, no? But it is. Look at the several models of existing machines today. The plastic material, of chemical origin, is present in all versions. In some, the lid is made of polypropylene, or simply PP. In others, it is made of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, or ASA, a recent development of Chemistry. In most machines, the internal basket was produced with polyprolylene, the gears with poliacetal, the electrical connectors with polybutylene terephthalate, or PBT, and the dispenser, where you place the softener, was made of ABS.

The wires are coated with PVC. The hoses, in a large number of cases, are also made with PVC and the nylon may be in your machine for noise reduction. There are also the chemical industry paints and lubricating oils used in the washing machines.

You probably stopped to think on the evolution of these true domestic helpers the washing machines have become. In the past they were huge and noisy, short-lived because of oxidation and of small capacity. Today, they are quieter, lighter and more compact. Thanks, of course, to Chemistry, that developed products, which innovated the processes and replaced other materials with additional benefits. But you are right. Why worry about this now that you may press just a button to wash that heap of dirty clothes and save the extra time for the enjoyment of family life?

You will be better off using the precious extra time and leaving to Chemistry the rest of the task. After all, Chemistry is here for this: to develop new materials and products to improve our lives. So, relax.