Housewives everywhere would be would be thrilled to discover that there is a new and legitimate way to avoid repetitive washing. Experts at the Women’s University of Tokyo, Japan have come up with a line of odor-free underwear called J-Ware. According to Yoshiko Taya, the developer of the line, the underwear’s material is designed to kill bacteria, absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly. The underwear is also flame-resistant, anti-static, comfortable, and stylish.
Just last year, Japanese astronaut Takao Doi was sent on a very important mission: to see if the line would work in outer space. According to developers, J-Ware could last from five days to a week, and it has proven effective. After a brisk workout on a shuttle mission, Doi’s companions sweated while he remained dry. The line is currently being tested by Koichi Wakata as he orbits around the earth on the International Space Station. Both Wakata and Doi gave the product a thumbs-up. “Nobody has complained, so I think it’s so far, so good,” said Koji Yanagawa, an official from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Having J-Ware aboard shuttle missions could greatly reduce costs. Carrying tons of cargo into orbit can be mighty expensive, and if there’s no laundry service available, a thing like J-Ware could be viewed as a gift from God. Having clothes that can last a week could cut many things – money, the need to wash clothes in space (imagine suds floating around the room), and the unbearable stink that comes with soiled clothes. If things work out, the line could be available to NASA and other space station partners once development is complete.
And the best part is, a commercial line will also be available. The question of wanting to wear odor free underwear that hasn’t been washed for a week is highly relative, but for astronauts, athletes and teenage boys who refuse to take showers and change clothes, this is a godsend.
