DirtDetector: the Flashing Fashion Guide

Have you ever found yourself doing the dreaded sniff test on a shirt, wondering if it's "vintage fresh" or just plain funky? Well, fellow fashion experimenters, say goodbye to the nose-knows method and hello to the DirtDetector - the world's first shirt that throws a light show when it needs a bath!

Taking inspiration from those judgmental Brita filters that passive-aggressively blink to tell you they're tired of your tap water, we've created a shirt that tracks its own journey from fresh-from-the-dryer to definitely-needs-a-wash. Just press a button when your shirt starts giving off that not-so-fresh vibe, and watch as our LED buddy starts its leisurely blink. As time passes, that chill, relaxed flash turns into an increasingly frantic "WASH ME NOW" strobe - kind of like your mom's text messages when you haven't called home in a while.

Think of it as your shirt's way of saying "Hey, remember when you spilled coffee on me three days ago? Yeah, that wasn't a fashion statement." The longer you ignore its pleas for cleanliness, the more it resembles a tiny disco party in your pocket. It's like having a tiny, passive-aggressive laundry assistant who communicates exclusively through morse code!

Want to make a statement about your laundry habits? This project combines Arduino wizardry with the subtle art of public clothing shame. Because nothing says "I'm a responsible adult" quite like a shirt that literally begs to be washed through the power of increasingly panicked blinking lights.

Necessary Materials:

1. Shirt with front pocket
2. Arduino uno
3. Breadboard
4. LED adaptable to breadboard
5. Push button
6. 220 Ohm resistor for the LED
7. 10k Ohm resistor for the push button
8. A bunch of male to male wires (including if possible black, red, and other colors).
9. 9V battery
10. Battery adapter
11. USB Type-A to USB Type-B Cable
12. Arduino IDE

Optional Materials:

1. Laser cutter
2. Silk screen
3. ink(color of choice)
4. Heat gun

Before diving into construction, you must decide whether to pursue the advanced or simplistic version of this project. The simple version focuses purely on functionality, featuring a clean shirt design with integrated flashing lights. The advanced version adds visual appeal through custom labeling. For component acquisition, Amazon and the Arduino store offer excellent options, with the Vilros Ultimate Starter Kit being particularly useful as it contains most necessary components. Those interested in the advanced version should consider visiting a local makerspace, which typically provides access to specialized equipment like laser cutters and silk screening materials.

The Arduino setup forms the core of your smart shirt's functionality. Begin by arranging your components on the breadboard following the recommended layout. The LED requires a 220 Ohm resistor for proper current limitation, though values between 330 and 1k Ohm work effectively. The push button implementation needs a 10k Ohm resistor, though you can safely use values up to 50k Ohm. Careful wire management is crucial - use different colored wires for power, ground, and signal lines to maintain organization and ease troubleshooting. The breadboard layout should prioritize compactness while maintaining accessibility for the button and LED visibility. Look at the attached images above for my suggested wiring

Component protection represents a critical phase in creating a wearable electronic device. Using electrical tape, carefully wrap the assembled circuit board to secure all components. This process requires patience and attention to detail - each wire must remain firmly connected while the assembly maintains its compact form. Pay special attention to connection points, as these are most vulnerable to movement and stress. Test the circuit's functionality after each layer of tape to ensure no connections have been compromised during the wrapping process. Remember that this protection needs to withstand regular movement while being worn.

The programming phase brings your smart shirt to life. The provided code creates an intelligent system that monitors wear time through accelerating LED flash patterns. Install the Arduino IDE from the official website, ensuring you download the latest version compatible with your operating system. The code utilizes a button input to control the LED's operation, implementing a gradual acceleration in flash frequency to indicate increased wear time. You click the button to initiate the beeping and click it again to stop the beating. The delay time multiplication factor (0.98) controls this acceleration - adjust this value to fine-tune the progression rate to your preferences. I have attached my code and you can tweak the delay time to your preferences. This code is meant specifically for the wiring set up from step 2. A video of the beeping is attached as well.

For those pursuing the advanced version, the shirt design phase adds visual appeal and user instruction to your project. Create a design incorporating a lightbulb symbol and the phrase "Filthy if Flashing" using vector graphics software. You can create any design easily that fits your desire. When laser cutting the silk screen, remove the glowforge crumb tray and maintain a one-inch material spacing beneath. Please look at the photos to see the glowforge settings and settings may vary depending on the silk screen/laser cutter. After the designs have been etched into the silk screen, apply the design using screen printing techniques, ensuring proper ink coverage and registration. Use a heat gun to properly set the ink, preventing peeling or fading during wear. This step transforms your smart shirt from a purely functional device into an engaging piece of wearable technology.

The final assembly requires careful integration of your protected circuit into the shirt's structure. Position the Arduino package within the pocket, ensuring the LED remains visible and the button accessible. Secure any loose components to prevent shifting during wear, and verify all connections remain intact. Test the complete assembly thoroughly, checking button response and LED visibility under various lighting conditions. Document proper care instructions, particularly regarding component removal before washing and battery replacement procedures.

And there you have it - your very own tiny electronic fashion critic! You've transformed a basic button-down into a sassy, light-up reminder that maybe, just maybe, it's time to visit the washing machine. Whether you're a professional procrastinator in the laundry department or just someone who appreciates their clothes having a personality crisis through LED beeps, this project proves that even the most mundane tasks can be improved with a dash of unnecessary technology. Remember, if your shirt is flashing faster than a paparazzi at a celebrity wedding, it's probably time to give it a spa day in the sudsy embrace of your washing machine. Until then, wear your blinking badge of questionable cleanliness with pride - after all, you're not lazy, you're just conducting a long-term experiment in wearable technology! Just remember to remove the electronics before washing, unless you want your Arduino to experience what it feels like to be a submarine (spoiler alert: it's not a fan).