IIT Delhi develops detergent that repels mosquitoes

Technology Dec 22, 2025

IIT Delhi has come up with a detergent that makes your clothes mosquito-proof—just by tossing them in the wash.
The idea is to help keep diseases like malaria and dengue at bay, all without changing your daily habits.

How it works

Led by Professor Javed Nabibaksha Sheikh, the team tested the detergent using a "hand-in-cage" method, where volunteers placed fabric-covered hands inside a cage filled with mosquitoes.
The treated clothes saw way fewer mosquito landings. The secret? Active ingredients stick to fabric fibers, confusing mosquitoes so they don't want to land.
With a patent filed, this could soon turn laundry day into an easy way to stay safer from bites.