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R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
weaken the fabric structure in a period [35]. These findings also make us rethink the
results of other researchers who investigated and reported that the top-load machine
sheds more microfibers, as the top-load generally uses more amount water than the
front-load machine [32]. This is also the same for the researcher who compared
the European laundry machine and compared it with North American top-loading
machines [34].
3 Summary and Recommendation
The chapter summarizes the different research work performed on the microfiber
shedding analysis and details the important laundry parameters that have an impact
on fiber release. From the results, it can be noted that irrespective of the fabric types
all the material sheds microfiber. Due to their biodegradability, we did not bother
about shedding behavior of natural fiber though it sheds more amounts. In the case
of laundry use of detergent in the form of bio (enzyme oriented), power or liquid
enhances microfiber shedding. The addition of softener has been mentioned to have
a positive effect by reducing microfiber release. Higher temperatures and longer
duration of laundry increase the shedding properties of synthetic material. In the
case of washing machines, several researchers reported top-load machine creates
higher mechanical abrasion and so releases more microfiber at washing. However,
few research works reported the role of water hardness and liquid to fabric ratio also
play a vital role in microfiber shedding. The study recommends the following points
to reduce microfiber shedding in household laundry process and few points for future
research.
• Use of mild detergent or bio-based liquid detergent in the laundry controls the
microfiber release.
• Use of front-load washers preferred over top-load machine due to their mild
mechanical action.
• Lower temperature with lower time preferred to control microfiber release from
textile.
• Lower liquid volume per kilogram of fabric controls the microfiber release.
• Though softener usage was reported as positive in microfiber release, few other
studies also reported opposite results. Hence further research needs to be done on
different types of commercial softeners by relating microfiber shedding. Figure 14
represents the preferable laundry parameters for reduced microfiber release during
laundry.
R. Rathinamoorthy and S. Raja Balasaraswathi
weaken the fabric structure in a period [35]. These findings also make us rethink the
results of other researchers who investigated and reported that the top-load machine
sheds more microfibers, as the top-load generally uses more amount water than the
front-load machine [32]. This is also the same for the researcher who compared
the European laundry machine and compared it with North American top-loading
machines [34].
3 Summary and Recommendation
The chapter summarizes the different research work performed on the microfiber
shedding analysis and details the important laundry parameters that have an impact
on fiber release. From the results, it can be noted that irrespective of the fabric types
all the material sheds microfiber. Due to their biodegradability, we did not bother
about shedding behavior of natural fiber though it sheds more amounts. In the case
of laundry use of detergent in the form of bio (enzyme oriented), power or liquid
enhances microfiber shedding. The addition of softener has been mentioned to have
a positive effect by reducing microfiber release. Higher temperatures and longer
duration of laundry increase the shedding properties of synthetic material. In the
case of washing machines, several researchers reported top-load machine creates
higher mechanical abrasion and so releases more microfiber at washing. However,
few research works reported the role of water hardness and liquid to fabric ratio also
play a vital role in microfiber shedding. The study recommends the following points
to reduce microfiber shedding in household laundry process and few points for future
research.
• Use of mild detergent or bio-based liquid detergent in the laundry controls the
microfiber release.
• Use of front-load washers preferred over top-load machine due to their mild
mechanical action.
• Lower temperature with lower time preferred to control microfiber release from
textile.
• Lower liquid volume per kilogram of fabric controls the microfiber release.
• Though softener usage was reported as positive in microfiber release, few other
studies also reported opposite results. Hence further research needs to be done on
different types of commercial softeners by relating microfiber shedding. Figure 14
represents the preferable laundry parameters for reduced microfiber release during
laundry.