Resource-constrained laundry solutions for astronauts

TIDE IN SPACE

Tide signs Space Act Agreement
with NASA

As we continue to push the boundaries of laundry care innovation, Tide has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to develop laundry solutions and technology for use in space. Through testing and studies, NASA will help Tide uncover ways to powerfully clean laundry in resource-constrained environments, including the International Space Station (ISS) and deep space, to develop products that address resource and environmental challenges here on Earth.

Continuing our commitment to Earth

As part of our Ambition 2030 pledge, our exploration of Tide products in space includes developing products that find resource efficiencies in energy, water, and waste across the laundry lifecycle–from manufacturing and packaging to consumer use–to reduce the environmental impact of a load of laundry, while increasing the impact of clean clothes for people on our planet.

The Future of Clean

Humanity is at a pivotal moment–on one hand, the reality of mass-space travel and colonization are becoming more real every day, and on the other, our current planet faces a critical period where we must act to save our planet. Tide’s collaboration with NASA addresses both, pushing the limits of discovery and innovation, while uncovering learnings with practical applications for the future of laundry on Earth and in space.

Giving astronauts clean clothes more often

When astronauts live on the ISS, they wear clothing several times before replacing it. In fact, each crew member is only allowed 160 pounds of clothing per year during each two to three-year mission. So, to help give them cleaner clothes more frequently, Tide developed a fully degradable detergent, specifically designed for use in space to solve malodor, cleanliness and stain removal problems for washable items used during deep space missions, while being suitable for use in a closed-loop water system.

Tide’s First Missions

On December 21st, Tide Infinity was successfully launched into space onboard a Commercial Resupply Mission to the ISS. The cargo carried a Tide formula specifically developed as a low-resource detergent for deep space travel. Our objective is to measure the effects of radiation and anti-gravity on key components of the formula for future development.

Mission 2022

In early 2022, we’ll continue our testing with a follow-up mission. This time, we’ll be sending Tide To Go Pens and Tide To Go Wipes to continue testing the stain-fighting power of key ingredients in an anti-gravity environment. If successful, Tide To Go products will keep astronauts looking their best, especially when they need to be camera-ready for downlinks back to Earth.