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R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
Linn Astrom assessed the impact of the detergent in microfiber shedding as a
part of his research dissertation. Except for the fleece fabric, all other fabrics were
developed and dyed in the laboratory itself to have control over the properties. He
used liquid detergent to quantify the effect on fiber shedding against different fabrics
of polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic type, including fleece and microfleece. The
results strongly indicated that the use of detergent significantly increases the shedding of the microfiber from the fabric [28]. In a comparable work, interlock and
single jersey 100% polyester fabrics were washed using liquid detergent, powdered
detergent, and de-ionized water. Though the researcher did not notice any significant
effect of fabric types on shedding, the detergent usage showed a significant increment in the microfiber shedding than the de-ionized water. Irrespective of the type of
detergent used, the shedding rate was noted very similarly in both cases. When the
researcher evaluated the effect of washing temperature and laundry time, they did
not find any effect of these parameters on microfiber shedding. Similarly overdosing
of detergent quantity also had no influence but at the same time, the increment in the
surfactant concentration in the wash liquor had a major impact on shedding than other
parameters [29]. Their study also confirmed that the mechanical stress generated by
the laundry process is not one of the main reasons for shedding. This is because
increment in laundry time did not yield a higher amount of microfiber shedding. The
increment in the mechanical stress for a longer washing time produced the same
amount of shedding similar to lower laundry time. Hence, the researchers concluded
that the use of surfactants (detergents) could be the main reason for fiber shedding,
as it mobilizes the broken fibers from the fabric surface to the liquid phase [30].
Almroth et al. determined the effect of detergent usage in microfiber shedding
behavior with different polyester fabrics, fleece, and microfleece fabrics. The results
showed a significant increment in shedding with the use of commercial detergent
compared to the washing without detergent. The increment in fiber shedding with
the addition of detergent is mainly associated with the reduction of surface tension
in the presence of the detergent. The basic nature of detergent or surfactant present
in the detergent is to increase the wetting by lowering the surface tension. The
reduction in surface tension increases the wettability and so releases the trapped
microfibers from the structural spaces. In addition to that, the secondary function of
the detergent is to disperse the dirt and dissolve the dirt and stains in the water. This
property of the detergent helps in the improved transportation of shed microfibers
from the surface of the textiles and so the results showed a higher count of microfiber
on laundry with detergent [13]. In a study with polyester (woven and knitted fabric)
and polypropylene fiber, researchers measured the impact of detergent on microfiber
shedding. The results showed an average of 162 ± 52 microfibers per g of fabric in
washing, it increased to 1273 ± 177 for liquid detergent, and for powder detergent,
shedding is noted as high as 3538 ± 664. The researcher suggested that the higher
release of microfiber in the presence of powdered detergent might be attributed to
the presence of water-insoluble inorganic contents in it. Zeolite is a perfect example,
which is commonly used in detergents. These compounds will abrade on the surface
of the fabric and creates friction. The powder detergents are generally considered
to be stronger in removing soils and stains from textiles due to this alkali-based
R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
Linn Astrom assessed the impact of the detergent in microfiber shedding as a
part of his research dissertation. Except for the fleece fabric, all other fabrics were
developed and dyed in the laboratory itself to have control over the properties. He
used liquid detergent to quantify the effect on fiber shedding against different fabrics
of polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylic type, including fleece and microfleece. The
results strongly indicated that the use of detergent significantly increases the shedding of the microfiber from the fabric [28]. In a comparable work, interlock and
single jersey 100% polyester fabrics were washed using liquid detergent, powdered
detergent, and de-ionized water. Though the researcher did not notice any significant
effect of fabric types on shedding, the detergent usage showed a significant increment in the microfiber shedding than the de-ionized water. Irrespective of the type of
detergent used, the shedding rate was noted very similarly in both cases. When the
researcher evaluated the effect of washing temperature and laundry time, they did
not find any effect of these parameters on microfiber shedding. Similarly overdosing
of detergent quantity also had no influence but at the same time, the increment in the
surfactant concentration in the wash liquor had a major impact on shedding than other
parameters [29]. Their study also confirmed that the mechanical stress generated by
the laundry process is not one of the main reasons for shedding. This is because
increment in laundry time did not yield a higher amount of microfiber shedding. The
increment in the mechanical stress for a longer washing time produced the same
amount of shedding similar to lower laundry time. Hence, the researchers concluded
that the use of surfactants (detergents) could be the main reason for fiber shedding,
as it mobilizes the broken fibers from the fabric surface to the liquid phase [30].
Almroth et al. determined the effect of detergent usage in microfiber shedding
behavior with different polyester fabrics, fleece, and microfleece fabrics. The results
showed a significant increment in shedding with the use of commercial detergent
compared to the washing without detergent. The increment in fiber shedding with
the addition of detergent is mainly associated with the reduction of surface tension
in the presence of the detergent. The basic nature of detergent or surfactant present
in the detergent is to increase the wetting by lowering the surface tension. The
reduction in surface tension increases the wettability and so releases the trapped
microfibers from the structural spaces. In addition to that, the secondary function of
the detergent is to disperse the dirt and dissolve the dirt and stains in the water. This
property of the detergent helps in the improved transportation of shed microfibers
from the surface of the textiles and so the results showed a higher count of microfiber
on laundry with detergent [13]. In a study with polyester (woven and knitted fabric)
and polypropylene fiber, researchers measured the impact of detergent on microfiber
shedding. The results showed an average of 162 ± 52 microfibers per g of fabric in
washing, it increased to 1273 ± 177 for liquid detergent, and for powder detergent,
shedding is noted as high as 3538 ± 664. The researcher suggested that the higher
release of microfiber in the presence of powdered detergent might be attributed to
the presence of water-insoluble inorganic contents in it. Zeolite is a perfect example,
which is commonly used in detergents. These compounds will abrade on the surface
of the fabric and creates friction. The powder detergents are generally considered
to be stronger in removing soils and stains from textiles due to this alkali-based