Further insights into the persistence of transferred fibres on outdoor clothes.

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess persistence of fibres on items of outdoor clothes in normal wear situations. The persistence of acrylic and wool fibres transferred on 23 recipient garments was examined in relation to: time of wear; features of the recipient garment (fibre composition, surface structure and texture); conditions of wear (public transport used or not), and; their location on the recipient. After 8 hours of wear more than 75% of transferred fibres were lost during 8-10 hours of wear. After 16 hours of wear no more than 10%, most often up to 5%, of fibres remained. Fibres were lost at higher rate when public transport was used. The persistence of fibres depended more on the surface structure and texture of the recipient garment and the location of donor fibres rather than on the type of fibre.