SWIFF was born out of a need and a desire for odor protection that didn't need to go on skin. Naturally inquisitive, we created a safe plant-based coating to protect against odors for a ridiculously long time!
After moving to Tokyo during the pandemic to research antimicrobial coatings, our founders Susanna & Dr. JJ Richardson noticed that JJ's clothes smelled after his daily commute. They began creating a safe and sustainable spray for clothes that stops odors at their source based off of JJ's research at the University of Tokyo into antimicrobial coatings for clothes. Trialing formulations on their own clothes, they quickly found the ideal ingredients that were safe, sustainable, and importantly, highly effective in neutralizing odor-causers. They designed a new type of bottle to allow SWIFF to be applied at home and started testing it with friends and family around the world.
DR. JJ RICHARDSON, PhD
INVENTOR & FOUNDER
I have a passion for cutting-edge research. Fortunate to have lived in 7 different countries spanning 4 continents, I've seen different approaches to life and science! From hot humid Florida nights, to scorching days in Australia, I've sweated and smelled my fair share. I have allergies to chemicals present in deodorants and colognes, so I needed a way to safely stay fresh in harsh environments. I also wanted to help create a world with fewer chemicals for my son to grow up in. With help from my incredible wife, I dedicated years to researching the technology behind SWIFF, so that we could live our lives with peace of mind, and now you can, too.
According to a recent Stanford study, I'm in the top 1% of scientists alive(PLoS Biology 18.10 (2020): e3000918.) and one of the most productive scientists in the world under the age of 35. I've published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and you can see a comprehensive list of my publications here.
SUSANNA CHAN RICHARDSON, MUM
CREATOR & FOUNDER
I have a passion for healthy living, travelling the world, and creating beautiful things (my son included). I've experienced different cultures and ways of life that have taught me that sometimes simplicity is the most elegant solution. Watching my husband discover things in the lab, inspired me to transform those innovations into real-world products that solve real-world issues.
I was born and raised in Australia, studied a BA and MA at Monash University, and have lived in numerous countries with my husband and beautiful son. I have also worked for non-profits and started up different ventures where I could apply my creativity and vision to help others.
Many people don't know that it normally takes 10 years for a breakthrough discovery to start benefitting the public. We did it in 8 years!
