Self-cleaning carpet

Patent for bacterial spores that reduce the smell from organic material on carpets

source: Barry Fox
New Scientist June 24 2000 p7

New patents include an idea from Jeffrey Fredenburgh and Anne Cordick for bacteria that deal with house training accidents by pets and toddlers. A dry mix of spores of a type of bacteria can be used on new carpets to become activated if the carpet becomes damp. Activation means that the bacteria release enzymes digesting material from accidents and thus preventing smells. They revert to their dormant condition when they have finished eating the organic material from accidents that is their food source.
GN,FH