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Scientists Create Oil-Repellant Coating for 'Self-Cleaning' Kitchens

by Terrence O'Brien on August 17, 2009 at 04:25 PM

Self-cleaning kitchens may no longer be relegated to those overly optimistic, '60s-era video demonstrations of 'the Home of the Future.' Scientists have demonstrated a new Teflon-like coating that, when applied to counter tops, allows them to be wiped clean with nothing more than water.

The new material repels oils yet holds water, creating a thin film that makes a surface easy to clean without the use of detergents or other solvents. The new substance could even be added to paints, stains, and concrete -- potentially creating an array of products that could lead to grime-, dirt-, and hassle-free homes and offices.

In addition to making life easier for those who would spend precious time scrubbing these surfaces clean, the coating is environmentally friendly since it reduces the need for harsh and toxic cleaners. Purdue University's Dr. Jeffrey Youngblood, who helped to create the coating, told the Daily Mail it should start appearing in commercially available products "within a few years." Never before has laziness seemed so green. [From: Daily Mail]

Tags: cleaning, green, green house, GreenHouse, home, kitchen, self cleaning, SelfCleaning, teflon, top

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