Membrane filters don't require much energy to purify water, making them popular for wastewater treatment. They're commonly cleaned with large amounts of strong chemicals, but some of these destroy the membranes in the process. Now, researchers have developed reusable nanoparticle catalysts that incorporate glucose to help efficiently break down contaminants inside these filters without damaging them. Because the nanoparticles don't require strong chemicals and are easily recoverable, the new system is a "greener" and more cost-effective approach for cleaning nanofiltration membranes.