Getting tough stains out of clothes is an age old problem, but if some researchers at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul have their way, there may soon be a new means of shouting them out. According to an article in NewScientist.com, the researchers have developed a process which uses an enzyme to, believe it or not, “eat” stains that develop. This enzyme, which actually is one commonly used in biological washing powders, is sealed in a thin coat of plastic which, when bonded to a fabric or plastic-y material, allows the enzymes to do their work instead of you. Since the researches also say this technology has the potential to keep kitchen surfaces free from bacteria, one can easily foresee the popularity of this new quicker picker upper!