Wargön Innovation’s testing of Pure Effect
A test series for the future of textile care, where Wargön Innovation evaluated how Pure Effect’s bacteria-based textile spray can reduce washing, extend the life of garments, and support new circular flows.
Through practical testing — in homes, reuse systems, and professional environments — the project explored how we can care for textiles in a more resource-efficient way, in the space between use and wash.
Why?
Textiles are often washed out of habit rather than need — leading to unnecessary wear, resource use, and in many cases garments being discarded too early. The same applies to items that cannot easily be washed and are thrown away simply because they smell.
The Wargön Innovation test series set out to understand how a simple solution, based on beneficial bacteria, can change this.
Can we reduce washing frequency without compromising freshness?
Can more garments and items be saved and used longer — at home, in professional settings, and in reuse flows?
The project explores how biotechnology can become part of the future of textile care — where less washing means both lower environmental impact and longer life for what has already been produced.
Background
The test series was conducted within the EU project “Innovation Environment for Sustainable Production and Circular Flows.” Around 180 participants took part across four different setups — ranging from everyday user tests to sorting and treatment of textiles within reuse systems.
By combining behavioral studies with material testing, the project created a holistic understanding of how the textile spray works in practice — both on an individual level and in larger-scale contexts.
About the test series
Four different test setups were carried out to understand function, effect, and user experience:
Test 1. Hard-to-wash garments — spray applied to textiles with stains and odor that are typically sorted out of reuse flows.
Test 2. Sustainability gain — comparison between washing vs. spraying on a t-shirt over time.
Test 3. Function across materials — odor and stain tests within reuse flows.
Test 4. Field tests LowWash & NoWash — user testing with more than 180 participants.
Results & insights
The tests clearly show that small behavioral shifts can have a significant impact:
• Reduced washing frequency in everyday life
• Extended garment lifespan through less wear and tear
• The ability to save textiles that would otherwise be discarded due to odor or stains
• Increased awareness of what actually needs to be washed — and when
At the same time, it becomes clear that effect depends on correct use: time, dosage, and routine matter.
A key insight is that the greatest impact happens closest to the user — in everyday life — where the decision to wash or not is actually made.
The test series shows that bacteria-based textile care is not just a product solution, but a potential behavioral shift at scale.
Discover more
Want to learn more? Send us an e-mail to know more about the tests: info@pureeffectsweden.com. Or contact Susanne Eriksson at Wargön Innovation: susanne.eriksson@wargoninnovation.se