Fabrics after laundering

Methyl Parathion Residue in Contaminated Fabrics after Laundering... 

Although several studies have examined the pesticide residue In garment fabric after laundering (7-16, 22-2A) few studies have explored the relationship of soiling mechanisms and textile geometry to this particular problem (9, 23). 

Table II. MeP in Contaminated Fabrics Before and after Laundering and MeP in Transfer Fabrics after Laundering...

Appearance of fabric after repeated home launderings... 

AATCC Test Method 124 Appearance of fabrics after repeated home laundering, AATCC Technical Manual, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1999, 205-208. 

AATCC Test Method 88B-2003 is designed to evaluate the smoothness appearance of fabric seams after laundering. Any fabric with any type of seam is suitable for testing with this method. Fabric samples (38 x 38 cm) are cut in half... 

AATCC Test Method 130-2000 has been developed to measure the ability of fabrics to release an oily stain when laundered. Fabric samples (15x15 inches) (38 X 38 cm) are stained with com oil, then a specified weight is used to force some of the oil into the fabric interior. After laundering with a specified detergent under a choice of laundering conditions, the samples are dried in a tumble dryer and compared to photographic standards (stain release replica with the usual AATCC 1-5 scale). 

Introducing the fabric softener in the last rinse cycle is a true constraint for users of vertical-axis washers that are not equipped with a fabric softener dispenser. Indeed, the consumer must then either stay in the vicinity of the washer during the wash, to pour in the product at the beginning of the final rinse, or run an extra rinse cycle after laundering completion. This constraint does not exist with horizontal-axis washers, since a compartment for automatically releasing the fabric softener at the last rinse cycle is incorporated in their dispenser. 

The purpose of the study was to determine effective laundering procedures for decontaminating work jelght fabrics. The effect of fiber composition, pesticide formulation, detergent type, wash temperature, wash cycle procedures, laundry additives, and pesticide concentration on pesticide residue remaining after laundering were examined. 

Transfer of Contamination in Laundry. Sustained transfer occurred when a clean fabric was laundered in equipment that had been used to wash contaminated fabric. The transfer fabric was an all cotton batiste of plain weave construction. These fabric swatches (8x8 cm) were subjected to one complete laundering cycle immediately after the contaminated fabrics had been through one wash and two rinse cycles. 

That is, following completion of the laundering process, the contaminated denim fabric swatch was removed, the rinse water decanted, and a clean cotton transfer fabric added to each canister along with 150 ml of phosphate detergent solution. Warm water (49 C) was used for the wash and two rinse cycles. After laundering, the transfer fabric was air-dried and retained in glass for solvent extraction. 

The actual soil content (level of pesticide contamination) of the fabrics was determined by quantitative analysis procedures. In this approach, the amount of soil actually present In the fabrics before and after laundering Is measured. The analysis procedure In this study Involved the separation of the soil (pesticide residues) from the fabrics by solvent extraction and analysis of the extracts by gas chromotography. 

Easy-care finishing reduces the tendency of the fabric to crease in wear and makes it much easier to iron after laundering. It may also prevent shrinkage during washing. These types of finish have greatly reduced the maintenance which cotton and wool in everyday use require, and have increased their suitability for apparel of all types. However, there is a price for these advantages pollution. 

Degradation of cellulose under alkaline conditions is technologically important, particularly in wood pulp manufacture and in cotton fabrics, which have been oxidized during bleaching, after laundering with mildly alkaline detergents. 

Dimensional restorability n. The ability of a fabric to be returned to its original dimensions after laundering or dry cleaning, expressed in percent. For example, 2% dimensional restorability means that although a fabric may shrink more than this in washing, it can be restored to within... 

Ease-of-care n. A term used to characterize fabrics that, after laundering, can be restored to their original appearance with a minimum of ironing or other treatment. An ease-of-care fabric generally wrinkles only slightly upon laundering. Vincenti R (ed) (1994) Elsevier s textile dictionary. 

AATCC Test Method 135-2004 Dimensional Changes of Fabrics After Home Laundering. 

Treatment of wool with a FWA, followed by post-treatment with thiourea/formaldehyde by a pad/cure method, confers a high level of protection against photoyellowing and also improves the initial fabric whiteness (134). Unfortunately, this process is not commercially viable, partly because of environmental concerns about thiourea and formaldehyde and also because much of the benefit is lost after laundering. An alternative approach is to physically separate the FWA from the wool fiber by incorporating the whitener into a suitable polymer that can be applied as a surface treatment to wool fabrics (135). The photostability of the treated fabrics is somewhat better than for conventional FWA treatments (being similar to bleached wool) but the initial whiteness is significantly lower than that of FWA-treated wool. 

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