Abstract
AbstractThe deposition of dyes onto lightly colored garments, or onto lighter sections of multicolored garments, during laundry results in fabric discoloration. In particular, there is a requirement to restrict indigo dye transfer between garments. Polymers may be added to detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors to prevent dye transfer by blocking the deposition of fugitive dyes in aqueous solution. This article reports the generation of a range of dye transfer inhibitors produced by condensation reactions that are effective in preventing the transfer of unbound indigo dye to a variety of fiber types. Key design rules relating to polymer hydrophilicity and pendant polymer functionality were established for the creation of effective dye transfer inhibitors. Remarkably, polymers at concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/ml were found to be effective in inhibiting indigo deposition on a variety of fiber types, offering great promise for their inclusion within laundry detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors.
Highlights
Dye transfer occurs in the laundry process, whereby a “fugitive” dye molecule detaches from one fabric and deposits on another,[1,2] leading to the graying and discoloration of lighter garments
We report a series of PEG-terminated amphiphilic macromolecules as potential dye transfer inhibitors (DTIs), primarily to prevent unwanted indigo dye deposition
In order to assess if DTI3 deposits on the fiber during the wash, and if it remains on the fabric after washing, multifibre swatches were pre-conditioned with the DTI3 without the presence of dye for either one or two washings (Build-up 1 and Build-up 2,respectively), before the multifibre swatch was combined with an indigo dye bleeding fabric in deionized water in the absence of polymer
Summary
Dye transfer occurs in the laundry process, whereby a “fugitive” dye molecule detaches from one fabric and deposits on another,[1,2] leading to the graying and discoloration of lighter garments. In order to assess if DTI3 deposits on the fiber during the wash, and if it remains on the fabric after washing, multifibre swatches were pre-conditioned with the DTI3 without the presence of dye for either one or two washings (Build-up 1 and Build-up 2,respectively), before the multifibre swatch was combined with an indigo dye bleeding fabric in deionized water in the absence of polymer. To observe if the polymer is considerably deposited onto the fabric to the point where it might cause an effect on the hand feel of the fabric, SEM images were obtained of cotton, nylon, polyester and wool after washing with DTI3, and having been washed in the absence of DTI3 (Figure S6).
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