Domestic Laundry and Microfiber Shedding of Synthetic Textiles
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Few other studies were also reported insignificant results of softener treatment on
the microfiber shedding. Though the earlier study explored the softener effect, the
research did not find the impact on microfiber shedding [25]. In a study, researchers
compared the microfiber shedding with, without detergent and also with detergent and
softener. The results showed a microfiber shedding percentage at eighth, ninth, and
tenth washes to replicate the long-term effect. The mass loss percentage was noted as
0.00108 wt% (without detergent), 0.00140 wt% (with detergent), and 0.00124 wt%
(detergent + softener). The findings showed no significant difference in microfiber
shedding with softener treatment. To confirm the effect, the researcher also measured
the microfiber releasing quantity with 5-year-old polyester fleece. These results were
in agreement with each other and confirmed the long-term effect [27]. A related
negative result was also reported by Lant et al. Who studied the effect of softener
treatment with different commercial fabrics (fleece and normal polyester t-shirts) to
evaluate the microfiber shedding quantity. The result did not show any significant
change in microfiber shedding with the use of softener. The researcher tried the
laundry with European conditions and also with the North American style testing
method. Both the methods showed similar insignificance of softener treatment on
microfiber shedding [34].
Though very few studies examined the effect of softener on textile microfiber
shedding, the results confirmed a significant effect of softener on microfiber shedding.
Whereas few studies reported a positive impact on microfiber shedding (reduction)
others also reported a negative impact. This suggests a research requirement in this
area to evaluate the softener effect. Various researchers used different softeners and
laundry methods or machines to perform the analysis. This might be the main reason
for variations in the findings of those researchers. Hence, it is important to regulate
laundry parameters and ingredients used in the process to evaluate the softener’s
effect on microfiber releasing quantity.
2.5 Effect of Washing Machine Type/Method on Microfiber
Shedding
The type of washing machine used or the method adopted for the microfiber shedding
quantity is one of the most controversial topics in this area. Several researchers used
different types of washing machines in measuring the microfiber shedding quantity.
Researchers claimed that the variation in their results might be due to the type of
machine or method they adapted in their research. Hence it is necessary to study the
importance of machine type on microfiber shedding. In a comparative study of frontand top-loading washing machines, Hartline et al. evaluated the shedding behavior of
new garments and also mechanically aged garments. Their results reported that the
average mass recovered from the front-load washing machine was 220 mg and the topload washing machine was 1906 mg. The statistical analysis revealed a significantly
higher mass of microfibers in the top-load machine than a front-load machine. The
145
Few other studies were also reported insignificant results of softener treatment on
the microfiber shedding. Though the earlier study explored the softener effect, the
research did not find the impact on microfiber shedding [25]. In a study, researchers
compared the microfiber shedding with, without detergent and also with detergent and
softener. The results showed a microfiber shedding percentage at eighth, ninth, and
tenth washes to replicate the long-term effect. The mass loss percentage was noted as
0.00108 wt% (without detergent), 0.00140 wt% (with detergent), and 0.00124 wt%
(detergent + softener). The findings showed no significant difference in microfiber
shedding with softener treatment. To confirm the effect, the researcher also measured
the microfiber releasing quantity with 5-year-old polyester fleece. These results were
in agreement with each other and confirmed the long-term effect [27]. A related
negative result was also reported by Lant et al. Who studied the effect of softener
treatment with different commercial fabrics (fleece and normal polyester t-shirts) to
evaluate the microfiber shedding quantity. The result did not show any significant
change in microfiber shedding with the use of softener. The researcher tried the
laundry with European conditions and also with the North American style testing
method. Both the methods showed similar insignificance of softener treatment on
microfiber shedding [34].
Though very few studies examined the effect of softener on textile microfiber
shedding, the results confirmed a significant effect of softener on microfiber shedding.
Whereas few studies reported a positive impact on microfiber shedding (reduction)
others also reported a negative impact. This suggests a research requirement in this
area to evaluate the softener effect. Various researchers used different softeners and
laundry methods or machines to perform the analysis. This might be the main reason
for variations in the findings of those researchers. Hence, it is important to regulate
laundry parameters and ingredients used in the process to evaluate the softener’s
effect on microfiber releasing quantity.
2.5 Effect of Washing Machine Type/Method on Microfiber
Shedding
The type of washing machine used or the method adopted for the microfiber shedding
quantity is one of the most controversial topics in this area. Several researchers used
different types of washing machines in measuring the microfiber shedding quantity.
Researchers claimed that the variation in their results might be due to the type of
machine or method they adapted in their research. Hence it is necessary to study the
importance of machine type on microfiber shedding. In a comparative study of frontand top-loading washing machines, Hartline et al. evaluated the shedding behavior of
new garments and also mechanically aged garments. Their results reported that the
average mass recovered from the front-load washing machine was 220 mg and the topload washing machine was 1906 mg. The statistical analysis revealed a significantly
higher mass of microfibers in the top-load machine than a front-load machine. The