With increasing demand for hygienic, self-disinfecting, and contamination-free surfaces,
interest in developing efficient self-cleaning, protective surfaces and materials has grown.
Due to rising population density, the spreading of antibiotic-resistant pathogens remains a
growing global concern. The ability of microorganisms to survive on environmental surfaces
makes infection transmission a critical issue, and studies have shown that some infectious
bacteria can survive on the surface of various polymeric and textile materials for more
than 90 days. Self-cleaning surfaces not only provide protection against infectious diseases
but also against odor, staining, deterioration and allergies. Advances in nanotechnologies
could make dirt-free (or no-wash) surfaces a reality. This would improve the environment
through reduced use of water, energy and petroleum-derived detergents.