Parents are constantly after their children to bathe properly, wash behind the ears, and so on and so forth. But did you know that research has found that water isn't as good a cleanser as it is believed to be. (Do I hear some kids saying "I told you so"?) Thus, not too far into the future, the idea of bathing with water may become obsolete, while more effective cleaners like sound waves take its place.

Sound waves are the cleaners of the future. Acoustic cleaners use sound waves to make dry materials vibrate according to their sizes and weights, thus dislodging them from the surface being cleaned. Sound wave technology is already used in cleaning jewellery, and is a common feature in the processing and manufacturing industries. In fact, we even have thermoacoustic refrigeration which uses sound waves to keep food cool.

All that is now required is for sound waves to cross over from cleaning things to cleaning people. Probably, there will soon be showers which will give out not water, but sound waves. Then you won't have to worry about towel-drying your freshly-bathed dog out of fear that he will drench the entire house!