Residual Oily Soil Distribution on Polyester/Cotton Fabric After , Laundering with Selected Detergents at Various Wash Temperatures

Abstract

The reduction of wash water temperatures to conserve energy and the changes in detergent formulations in response to environmental concerns have intensified the already difficult consumer problem of soil removal by laundering. In this investigation, the effect of wash temperature on the extent of oily soil penetration into a durable press polyester/cotton fabric was studied using wash temperatures of 4, 27, 38, and 49°C and three different detergents. The total amounts of residual oleic acid were determined by radiotracer analysis, and the distribution of the oil was evaluated by backscattered electron images and electron beam x-ray microanalyses. At all wash temperatures, the two built, heavy-duty powdered detergents removed a larger amount of oleic acid than the unbuilt, heavy-duty liquid detergent. Higher wash temperatures increased the removal of oleic acid from the polyester/cotton fabric for all detergents. The largest improvement in oil removal with increase in wash temperature was observed for the unbuilt, heavy-duty liquid detergent. With increased wash temperature, the concentration of oil was markedly reduced in the crenulations of the cotton fibers and the small interfiber spaces between closely spaced polyester or cotton fibers. These decreases in concentration of oil in capillaries within the yam structure with increase in wash temperature were larger for the unbuilt, heavy-duty liquid than for either of the built, heavy-duty powdered detergents.