tech
Green sleeves? Laundry detergent being tweaked owing to gen Z’s love of matcha
Japanese green tea named stain of the year as survey finds Aperol spritz and bubble tea are also leaving their mark
TL;DR
- Laundry detergents are being updated to tackle new stains from trendy drinks like matcha, Aperol, and bubble tea.
- Matcha has been named the "stain of the year" by Unilever's inaugural "stains index," which ranks emerging stains based on evolving lifestyles.
- Gen Z reports a significantly higher volume of weekly clothing stains, with matcha, Aperol, and fast food grease being common culprits.
- Traditional stains like red wine and curry sauce remain prevalent, but modern stains and lifestyle marks such as makeup and fake tan are also increasing.
- Unilever scientists are adjusting detergent formulas to combat these new stains, recalling a similar adaptation for gym gear smells due to the rise of athleisure wear.
- The "stains index" will be updated annually to track new stains and guide product development.