Influence of Fabric Softeners on Performance Stability of the Textile Materials

Abstract

The aim of the research was to explore the effect of household fabric softeners on the textile hand rates after repeated washing cycles. The behavior of three pure cotton and one cotton-PES blended textile materials, which were different in type, structure, thickness and finishing, were investigated in the multifold washing process. The behavior of fabrics was evaluated by the variation of the hand rate‘s values, which were determined using KTU-Griff-Tester. This device is mountable on a standard tensile testing machine. The dependence of main hand rates versus number of washings was found. Influence of three cationic softeners was presented. The obtained data proves that treatment of textile materials with softener stopped deterioration of hand rates and secured long lasting performance stability.