Wayakit laundry spray: bio-based portable additive for laundry stain pre-treatment
A non-bleaching, non-petroleum laundry spray using bio-based molecular solvents that remove grease, oil, and organic stains as an effective pre-treatment. Tested on 35 stains with 94% average cleaning performance, it reduces detergent use and offers a sustainable, portable alternative to conventional spot removers for household and commercial laundry applications.
Overview
Wayakit laundry spray is a bio-based, portable stain pre-treatment designed to replace petroleum-derived solvents and oxidative bleach products. The formulation leverages renewable molecular solvents that are soluble in both water and oil and form sub-micron emulsion particles (less than 0.01 microns), enabling effective removal of grease, oil, and a wide range of organic residues from fabrics. When applied as a pre-treatment, the spray reduces the amount of detergent required during the main wash cycle, supporting more sustainable laundry practices without sacrificing cleaning performance.
Technical specifications
- Bio-based molecular solvents serve as the active cleaning agents, offering a renewable alternative to petroleum solvents and bleach.
- Dual solubility profile (water- and oil-soluble) enables removal of diverse stain types.
- Sub-micron emulsion particles (less than 0.01 microns) enhance penetration into fabric fibers.
- Validated cleaning performance of 94 ± 4% average across 35 tested stains, including petroleum-based, protein, oxidizable, water-soluble, organic, and synthetic stains.
- 98% removal rate for oxidizable stains such as blood.
- Dosage efficiency of 0.90 to 2.3 mL per 16 cm² stain swatch to achieve at least 90% removal, even for difficult stains such as grease, oil, lipstick, fluid foundation, pen ink, and eye mascara.
- Non-bleach and non-petroleum formulation suitable for cotton and polyester fabrics.
- Portable 20 mL presentation with current annual production capacity of 320,000 units.
Technology readiness level
The formulation has been validated through controlled laboratory testing on cotton and polyester swatches stained with 20 μL of various substances, with cleaning performance quantified by whiteness recovery and stain removal percentages analyzed via image-based color difference (DE) measurements. The product has already been brought to market through a 2018 global Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign and participation in the Taqadam accelerator program at KAUST, with combined awards totaling 180,000 USD. Planned next-stage validation includes determining the minimum effective concentration for use as a replacement for pre-treatment liquids and booster detergency, with an estimated timeline of approximately six months. The company is closing a pre-Series A funding round to scale production capacity from 320,000 units to 3.7 million units annually and is actively seeking a strategic co-investment partner for global B2C market entry.
About Wayakit
Wayakit is a biotechnology company founded by Latin American women scientists with a focus on developing sustainable hygiene solutions. The company originated from research conducted at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and offers a range of waterless, biodegradable cleaning products. Its formulations utilize natural compounds enhanced through scientific research, aiming to reduce environmental footprints, health risks, and operational costs. Wayakit is certified as a women-owned business and operates internationally with a presence in countries including Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Colombia. The company provides cleaning solutions for various sectors such as transportation, facilities management, households, automotive, and industrial applications. By leveraging biotechnology, Wayakit seeks to provide high-performance cleaning alternatives that align with environmental preservation goals. Its product line includes specialized kits and cleaners for surfaces, furniture, pets, and vehicles, which are marketed toward both industrial clients and individual consumers seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical-based products.
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