Can Detergent Powder Protect You From Mosquitoes? IIT Delhi's Smart Repellent Innovation Turns Laundry Into Shield

Mosquito-Repellent Detergent: A team of IIT Delhi researchers has developed a unique product to deal with the mosquito menace. The research team, led by Professor Javed Nabibaksha Sheikh from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, developed innovative mosquito-repellent detergents that can keep mosquitoes away without compromising on wash-care properties.

Sheikh said these detergents are available in both powder and liquid forms and maintain comparable wash-care properties.

Commonly used mosquito-protection products -- such as liquids, coils, lotions, creams, roll-ons, sprays and patches -- often have limitations and do not provide consistent protection, but this product is much better, he added.

ALSO READ: Which Is The Country With No Mosquitoes? Know Why Iceland Has Zero Mosquito Population

The team head explained for instance, topical formulations like creams and lotions may lose their effectiveness over time, which can increase the risk of mosquito bites and the associated diseases.

How Mosquito-Repellent Detergent Works

Sheikh said the mosquito-repellent detergent is a smart product to protect people from dangerous mosquito-borne diseases. The testing involved a "hand-in-cage" method, where volunteers inserted their hands, covered with fabrics, into a box containing starved mosquitoes, he added.

"The number of mosquitoes landing on the fabric was then evaluated. Fabrics washed with our detergents demonstrated a significant reduction in mosquito landings," Sheikh said.

The products have been tested in a commercial laboratory and have proven effective at repelling mosquitoes. He said his team has filed a patent application for the detergents.

ALSO READ: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Dharamdhwaj Installed; Know Powerful And Hidden Meanings In Every Hindu Temple Flag

"Since a mosquito's proboscis can easily penetrate fabric structure, it is crucial to deter them from landing on textiles. Textiles washed with these smart detergents become unattractive to mosquitoes, thus helping to prevent bites," a statement released by Delhi IIT said.

"The active components of detergents interact with fibres during the washing process, making them less attractive for mosquito landing. The active components work on both the smell and taste sensors of the mosquitoes," the professor added.

As textiles are frequently washed, the mosquito-repellent properties are regenerated with each wash, ensuring both efficiency and durability.

(With ANI Inputs)