Sanitising wardrobes such as the Pura-Case and Samsung AirDresser could soon be making their way into hotels to appease ‘germaphobic’ guests. Olivia Palamountain reports

We’ve seen the changes Covid-19 has brought to public life but it’s likely the pandemic will affect the way we live at home – and inhabit hotels – too. Coronavirus doesn’t play by the rules of personal space and is able to survive on clothing for extended periods.

And that’s not the only nasty lingering on your outfit – add bacteria and micro-organisms and you’ll start to wonder how you ever got dressed and left the house at all.

Pura-Case by Carlo Ratti Associati and the Samsung AirDresser have been designed to combat these invisible assassins, “purify” your clothes and refresh your wardrobe. Let’s take a closer look…

Pura-Case by Carlo Ratti Associati

Pura CasePura-Case is a battery-powered, portable wardrobe purifier that uses ozone to remove most micro-organisms, bacteria and viruses from clothes.

Once a garment is hung inside the case, an air purification system treatment cleans and deodorizes the fabrics – without the need for water.

Ozone (a naturally-occurring triatomic form of oxygen (O3)) is already used industrially to sterilise items; Pura-Case brings this technology into the household.

Pura-Case can be installed in a domestic setting and complete a cycle of purification in about one hour.

Pura CaseClothes is zipped inside the case (which accommodates up to four hangers) which uses ozone to penetrate the fabric in a cycle of around one hour.

The entire process can be started and controlled either via the LED-lit top panel or remotely through the Pura-Case mobile app.

Commissioned by Scribit, Pura-Case will be launched through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.Pura Case“As the entire world adjusts to a new normal in terms of health and hygiene, Pura-Case aims to promote top sanitation standards in the key interface between us and the environment – clothes,” says architect Carlo Ratti, director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, who led the Pura-Case design team.

He says: “Pura-Case is an alternative to large-sized devices currently being used in hospitals. It can play a vital role in the post-pandemic world next year as we regain our old social life.”

Samsung AirDresser

AirDresser by SamsungCosting £1,900 apiece, the Samsung AirDresser “refreshes” garments by “eliminating dust, odor and harmful pollutants, as well as eradicating any remaining residual microdust”. In addition, it can be used to remove creases and fine lines from clothing.

Specialised care for each clothing type (suits, wool/knits, winter coats etc) is available via the SmartThings app, while MyCloset app works in partnership with clothing brands to recommend the best course of care for particular items.

This hybrid appliance is designed to blend into rooms, while adding aesthetic value and comes in a range of finishes. The door is covered in mirror and glass to provide an additional use, applied with gradients and delicate pinstripe patterns to add depth and mood.

Globetrender predicts that technology like this will soon be making its way to top-end hotels as they look to win over “germaphobic” guests.

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