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R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
temperature. Often softeners are considered as optional material during the laundry,
hence no emphasis is given on the effect of softener treatment in washing on the
microfiber shedding pattern.
With respect to the microfiber shedding, Francesca De Falco et al. investigated the
impact of fabric softeners used in the laundry. The results of the research revealed
that, when compared to a normal laundry with distilled water, laundry with softener significantly reduced the amount of microfiber releasing quantity. Further, the
author reported that since the pH of the washing liquor was maintained common for
both the cases (with softener and without softener), the influence of the pH is not
significant on microfiber release. The findings showed that the use of softener with
liquid detergent in a household washing of polyester fabric reduced the number of
microfiber shedding to 4,000,000 microfibers (approximately), compared to a wash
with the same condition without the softener (6,000,000 microfibers). The researcher
reported a 35% reduction in the microfiber release from the polyester fabric due to
the use of fabric softener in the laundry. The researcher justified that the addition
of softener reduced the friction between fibers and made to arrange parallel in the
fiber bundle and also by providing softness, reduces the damaging of fibers [29]. To
support this finding, older textile research details that the addition of softener in the
rinse cycle reducing the pilling of polyester fabric. The researchers used polyester
knitted and woven fabric with softener in the rinse cycle. After ten cycles of wash, the
results showed a reduced pilling on the surface of the polyester fabric (with a higher
rating of 5) washed with the softeners. Similarly, the researcher also noted a fabric
breaking strength reduction of 13–17% after the softener treatment. The lubrication
effect and reduced friction developed by the softener reduced the breaking strength
and so prevented the fiber breakage and so reduces the pill formation in the polyester
fabric [43, 44]. Figure 10 represent the effect of fabric softener treatment on the
microfiber shedding from textiles.
Fig. 10 Mechanism of softener action on microfiber shedding from the literature (Authors own
illustration)
R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
temperature. Often softeners are considered as optional material during the laundry,
hence no emphasis is given on the effect of softener treatment in washing on the
microfiber shedding pattern.
With respect to the microfiber shedding, Francesca De Falco et al. investigated the
impact of fabric softeners used in the laundry. The results of the research revealed
that, when compared to a normal laundry with distilled water, laundry with softener significantly reduced the amount of microfiber releasing quantity. Further, the
author reported that since the pH of the washing liquor was maintained common for
both the cases (with softener and without softener), the influence of the pH is not
significant on microfiber release. The findings showed that the use of softener with
liquid detergent in a household washing of polyester fabric reduced the number of
microfiber shedding to 4,000,000 microfibers (approximately), compared to a wash
with the same condition without the softener (6,000,000 microfibers). The researcher
reported a 35% reduction in the microfiber release from the polyester fabric due to
the use of fabric softener in the laundry. The researcher justified that the addition
of softener reduced the friction between fibers and made to arrange parallel in the
fiber bundle and also by providing softness, reduces the damaging of fibers [29]. To
support this finding, older textile research details that the addition of softener in the
rinse cycle reducing the pilling of polyester fabric. The researchers used polyester
knitted and woven fabric with softener in the rinse cycle. After ten cycles of wash, the
results showed a reduced pilling on the surface of the polyester fabric (with a higher
rating of 5) washed with the softeners. Similarly, the researcher also noted a fabric
breaking strength reduction of 13–17% after the softener treatment. The lubrication
effect and reduced friction developed by the softener reduced the breaking strength
and so prevented the fiber breakage and so reduces the pill formation in the polyester
fabric [43, 44]. Figure 10 represent the effect of fabric softener treatment on the
microfiber shedding from textiles.
Fig. 10 Mechanism of softener action on microfiber shedding from the literature (Authors own
illustration)