Domestic Laundry and Microfiber Shedding of Synthetic Textiles
143
(back). The 10 consecutive washing resulted in a decrease in the fiber shedding in
all the cases. However, for the 1st garment, the researcher noted a decrement in
the microfiber shedding till the 5th wash. After the 5th wash, the 100% polyester
shedding almost became stable but the 2nd garment showed a higher shedding.
The researcher supported that this might be due to the presence of cotton and modal
content [24]. Claire O’Loughlin measured the microfiber release quantity of polyester
with elastane sportswear and nylon swimwear. The researcher evaluated the shedding
for 15 laundry cycles. They reported 41% of the shedding for both the textiles.
Irrespective of the garment or detergent usage, after the 5th wash no difference was
noted in the release quantity. However, the results showed a reverse trend in the
11–15th washes where the higher release percentage (31%) than the non-detergent
added set was observed. These findings again suggest having a different look at the
abovementioned results [40]. A recent study evaluated the effect of laundry cycles
up to 10 washes using 12 different textile samples. The results revealed that 6–120
times higher microfiber shedding was noted in the first wash compared to the 10th
wash. A maximum fiber release was noted in the first three washes and a further
reduction in shedding was noted in the further washes. The release count stabilizes
in the 5th wash with 10–1200 fibers/g of textile washed. Concerning the fiber length
released, the first cycle released shorter fiber than the 10th cycle [41].
To recapitulate the results, it is noted that most of the research results mentioned
that the microfiber shedding quantity reduces in the consecutive laundry cycles [23,
30]. Many researchers accepted that the major release of the microfiber occurs in
the first wash in the case of synthetic fiber [30, 42]. The microfiber release quantity
stabilizes after the 5th wash in the case of all synthetic fiber irrespective of the
detergent usage and fabric structural parameter [24]. Though few researchers reported
an insignificant impact of detergent, the majority of the researchers reported the
impact of detergent as a significant parameter [40].
2.4 Effect of Softener Treatment on Microfiber Shedding
Fabric softeners are commonly used in the laundry to soften the fabric after the
laundry process. During the laundry process, the washing machine abrades the materials mechanically and forms fuzz by opening the entangled fibers. The produced lint
fibers on the surface become stiff due to the drying. Further to add, the use of detergent
removes the lubricants like waxes and oils from the fiber material, and the material
becomes hard and scratchy to wear. Hence to impart lubrication between fibers and
to make the fabric softer after laundry the softeners are generally used [41]. Besides,
in the case of synthetic fabric, softeners are used to avoid static charge build-up
on the fabric. However, regarding the effect of softener treatment on the microfiber
releasing quantity, there are no clear studies available to date. Most of the studies
performed to evaluate the performance of the different fiber types, detergent, and
143
(back). The 10 consecutive washing resulted in a decrease in the fiber shedding in
all the cases. However, for the 1st garment, the researcher noted a decrement in
the microfiber shedding till the 5th wash. After the 5th wash, the 100% polyester
shedding almost became stable but the 2nd garment showed a higher shedding.
The researcher supported that this might be due to the presence of cotton and modal
content [24]. Claire O’Loughlin measured the microfiber release quantity of polyester
with elastane sportswear and nylon swimwear. The researcher evaluated the shedding
for 15 laundry cycles. They reported 41% of the shedding for both the textiles.
Irrespective of the garment or detergent usage, after the 5th wash no difference was
noted in the release quantity. However, the results showed a reverse trend in the
11–15th washes where the higher release percentage (31%) than the non-detergent
added set was observed. These findings again suggest having a different look at the
abovementioned results [40]. A recent study evaluated the effect of laundry cycles
up to 10 washes using 12 different textile samples. The results revealed that 6–120
times higher microfiber shedding was noted in the first wash compared to the 10th
wash. A maximum fiber release was noted in the first three washes and a further
reduction in shedding was noted in the further washes. The release count stabilizes
in the 5th wash with 10–1200 fibers/g of textile washed. Concerning the fiber length
released, the first cycle released shorter fiber than the 10th cycle [41].
To recapitulate the results, it is noted that most of the research results mentioned
that the microfiber shedding quantity reduces in the consecutive laundry cycles [23,
30]. Many researchers accepted that the major release of the microfiber occurs in
the first wash in the case of synthetic fiber [30, 42]. The microfiber release quantity
stabilizes after the 5th wash in the case of all synthetic fiber irrespective of the
detergent usage and fabric structural parameter [24]. Though few researchers reported
an insignificant impact of detergent, the majority of the researchers reported the
impact of detergent as a significant parameter [40].
2.4 Effect of Softener Treatment on Microfiber Shedding
Fabric softeners are commonly used in the laundry to soften the fabric after the
laundry process. During the laundry process, the washing machine abrades the materials mechanically and forms fuzz by opening the entangled fibers. The produced lint
fibers on the surface become stiff due to the drying. Further to add, the use of detergent
removes the lubricants like waxes and oils from the fiber material, and the material
becomes hard and scratchy to wear. Hence to impart lubrication between fibers and
to make the fabric softer after laundry the softeners are generally used [41]. Besides,
in the case of synthetic fabric, softeners are used to avoid static charge build-up
on the fabric. However, regarding the effect of softener treatment on the microfiber
releasing quantity, there are no clear studies available to date. Most of the studies
performed to evaluate the performance of the different fiber types, detergent, and