The revolution in the laundry room: 
Henkel Smartwash

More than 140 years ago, Fritz Henkel launched his first detergent. Since then, a lot has changed in the laundry and home care industry. Smartwash may usher in a completely new era of textile care – where research and active ingredients meet state-of-the-art technology. Behind this innovation are the teams of Saurav Palit, Head of Smart Cleaning & Washing, and Robert Ruiz-Hernandez, Head of Smart Devices & Appliances at Henkel Consumer Brands. Saurav and Robert share their vision of how consumers will wash their clothes in a cleaner, more sustainable, and smarter way in the future.

Saurav, Robert, today we’re talking about a revolution in laundry care. You both work on the Smartwash technology, which is more than just an innovation for the laundry room. What exactly does that mean?

Saurav: For Smartwash we explore how technology and chemistry can work together to achieve even better washing results. Henkel has more than 140 years of expertise in detergents and cleaning products, and we want to make the best possible use of this knowledge. A few years ago, we asked ourselves: How can we apply our expertise in an even smarter way? This led to numerous ideas and innovations emerging from our teams worldwide. With Smartwash, we are now redefining an entirely new product category for laundry by combining our in-depth knowledge of chemical agents and their effects. For this, we are developing a system that is smarter and more autonomous than anything that currently exists.

How does Smartwash work in the textile sector?

Robert: Our concept is based on two key technologies: chemistry and algorithms. Today’s washing machines can already detect how dirty the laundry is. But Smartwash takes it a step further: with sensors and cloud connectivity, the system analyzes the type of dirt, the fabric properties, and determines the exact combination of cleaning agents needed. This ensures maximum washing performance with minimal resource consumption.

Up until now, I would put predosed discs into the washing machine or dose my liquid detergent. Will that no longer be necessary in the future?

Robert: Exactly! It will become simpler and more efficient. Detergents work best when the individual active ingredients are applied in a targeted way at the right moment. Until now, all products have had a fixed formula – regardless of whether you're dealing with grease stains or delicate fabrics. And if you don’t have a machine that dispenses detergent automatically, you have to estimate how much to use. Often, people use too little or far too much. This can be optimized! With Smartwash, we will provide the individual active ingredients separately. The washing machine will then tailor the detergent specifically for each load – fully automatically. This simplifies the washing process and delivers better results.

That sounds like pure high-tech.

Saurav: And that’s exactly what it is! Detergent, machine, sensors, algorithms – everything must work together perfectly. That’s why we not only collaborate across disciplines internally but also form external partnerships with various industries. We are creating a kind of washing ecosystem. That’s why we presented our Smartwash system at CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas, where we engaged with exciting partners: from tech companies to textile manufacturers. This highlights the enormous potential of Smartwash and the strong interest in true innovation in this field.

Not only for laundry – Saurav and Robert’s teams are working on developing similar Smartwash solutions for dishwashers.

Why textile manufacturers?

Robert: Everyone knows the care instructions on clothing labels, we want to bring that information to life. Our vision: all components of a wash cycle should communicate with each other. This means that clothing itself could send signals, allowing the machine to recognize what’s inside the drum and how it should be cleaned optimally. We see the washing machine evolving into an information powerhouse.

What do you hope to change with this system?

Saurav: Or rather: what can we change? The answer is: a lot! More efficient detergent dosage, lower energy consumption, longer clothing lifespan, and therefore less waste. Sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand.

Robert: And not to forget – we are making life easier for consumers at home. Washing should become simpler and smarter. The best technology is the kind that makes everyday life easier while delivering better results – and that’s exactly our goal with Smartwash. Which is also why we want to take this technology beyond just the laundry industry – we’re currently developing similar Smartwash solutions for dishwashers to allow for a more efficient and targeted use of dishwashing soap and its components.

What’s next?

Saurav: Through initial tests, including with customers, we have learned what users really need and what they expect from such a system. Independent testing institutes have already confirmed that Smartwash outperforms conventional systems in terms of both cleaning effectiveness and sustainability. But to bring the technology to life, different sides need to come together. Only by working together as an industry can we revolutionize the future of laundry. We need strong partners from the appliance industry and beyond who are willing to take the next steps with us. After all, others build washing machines better than we do.

Robert: Our approach can be compared to chip technology in computers: we provide the innovative technology, the detergent, and the intelligent algorithms – the central intelligence of the system, so to speak. Just like a chip manufacturer optimizes a computer’s performance, Smartwash ensures that detergents are used efficiently and that washing machines operate better. To make Smartwash a global success – for laundry and dishwashing – we are relying on strong partners in the home appliance industry. Only with the right machine manufacturers can we ensure that our innovation reaches as many households as possible and fundamentally changes the washing process in a sustainable way.

Earlier you mentioned that numerous ideas and innovations emerged from Henkel teams all over the world when you challenged yourselves on how to make best use of your expertise and knowledge. Does that mean, innovation is driven across multiple countries at Henkel?

Saurav: I‘ve been with Henkel for about three years now, and I’ve only ever known it as an internationally oriented company. Of course, here in Düsseldorf, you can feel the strong emphasis on innovation and engineering excellence that comes with being a German company. But the knowledge and innovative spirit come from all over the world. That’s what makes our work so exciting.

Robert: Saurav is originally from India, and I am from Spain. With five nationalities in our team, we have different perspectives coming together, but what’s most important is that we all share the same drive: to push innovation forward and develop better products that change the everyday lives of people and future generations. With Smartwash, we have already built a strong foundation for that.