Suds
Ultrasonic Stain Remover
Suds is an ultrasonic stain removing device for clothing. Suds makes it easier and safer to clean stained garments, from lightweight pieces to heavy-duty jeans.
Duration7 Weeks
Autumn 2024
Autumn 2024
ToolsRhino 8
Keyshot
3D Printing
Keyshot
3D Printing
TeamSydney Tsui
The Problem
How do I clean this?
You spilled coffee on your favorite shirt. Your child was playing in the mud. You think you just ruined your best pair of pants. Can it even go in the wash?
Current stain removal methods are either too abrasive and risk damaging delicate fabric, or not strong enough for heavy duty stains.
Chemical Removers
+ efficient
+ powerful
- often toxic
- can irritate eyes and skin
- can further stain fabric
+ powerful
- often toxic
- can irritate eyes and skin
- can further stain fabric
Manual Scrubbers
+ cheap
+ small size
- requires significant physical effort
- inconsistent results
- likely to damage delicate fabric
+ cheap
+ small size
- requires significant physical effort
- inconsistent results
- likely to damage delicate fabric
Large-Scale Powered Devices
+ good for carpets and furniture
+ minimal mess
- too large and agressive for clothing
- difficult to store
- not available in a smaller size
+ good for carpets and furniture
+ minimal mess
- too large and agressive for clothing
- difficult to store
- not available in a smaller size
What other technologies exist?
Ultrasonic cleaning is an under-utilized method of stain removal for garments.
It uses high-frequency sound waves that create tiny, imploding bubbles in water. This results in foreign particles loosening without damaging fabrics, even delicate ones.
From this phase, we chose to move forward with a "nesting," compact form that would allow for sandwiching the stained fabric. Additionally, we chose to move forward with ultrasonic methods of cleaning.