A study on easy-care laundering of linen fabrics

Abstract

Linen fabrics are known for their superior comfort properties over fabrics of other origins. However, they have a very high tendency to wrinkle during use and laundry. In order to overcome this problem, easy-care finishes are applied on linen during or after fabric production. These chemicals are partially released during use and washing. Moreover, strengths of fabrics are affected negatively. Increasing ecological concerns and public awareness bring the need for an environmentally friendly alternative process. Delicate washing may decrease the number of wrinkles on fabrics but the functions used in the new-generation washing machines regarding the wrinkle reduction do not provide the expected results on linen fabrics. In this study, the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics encountered during washing action in washing machines with steam generators is improved by selection of proper levels of processing parameters, including temperature, rate of mechanical action (ED), revolution per minute (rpm) and water amount applied during laundering. In order to further improve the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics while still maintaining the gentle washing action, steaming steps were inserted into the laundering process between the adjacent laundering steps. The shrinkage and wrinkling characteristics of laundered linen fabrics were measured and analyzed. The best four profiles amongst others were chosen, and will be used for the development of a laundering process specializing in gentle washing linen products.

A novel algorithm for easy-care laundering of linen fabrics: A cleaner solution to the wrinkling problem during care

“…It should be noted that both average shrinkage and average smoothness rating results reported are those measured after the third laundering, as it is known that the performance results for fabrics after multiple launderings are generally more significant as a result of their being loaded with extensive stress during manufacturing, and analysis of measured performances after multiple launderings would be more representative of the effects of the parameters studied. 22 Before presenting individual and interaction effects of steaming combinations, spinning levels, hot rinsing or hot softening on average shrinkage and average smoothness rating values, it will be shown that the two washing machines used in the study are identical in their performance in terms of their effect on resulting average shrinkage values and average smoothness ratings.…”

“…Moreover, Profile 7, which incorporates a steaming step after the last spin, is included in each profile, as one part of the steaming combination, which was previously shown to cause an additional decrease in shrinkage during laundering, superior to that offered when other steaming steps are considered individually. 22 The individual effects of heating (hot rinsing and hot softening), spinning (low, medium, and high), and steaming combinations (7-4, 7-5, and 7-6) on the average smoothness rating after the third laundering are shown in Figure 5. It is apparent that low-level spinning results in a slightly lower average smoothness rating (3.24) when compared with those of medium-and high-level spinning (3.31 and 3.33, respectively).…”

“…It was shown that the insertion of additional heat results in the formation of less wrinkling during laundering. 22 In this study, considering the four best profiles previously determined, different combinations of steaming steps were inserted to the laundering process by combining the second, third and fourth ranked best laundering profiles (Profile 6, Profile 5 and Profile 4, respectively) with the best laundering profile (Profile 7). Moreover, the effect of heating in the rinsing or softening steps, as well as that of spinning on the average shrinkage and average smoothness rating results of laundered linen products were evaluated.…”

The relationships between washing parameters, fabric movement, and wrinkling in a top-loading washer

“…The orthogonal design of four factors at three levels was applied, and four key influencing factors-rotating speed, washing load size, spinning time, and fabric thickness-were identified in the literature. 6,7,14 Water temperature was excluded since top-loading washing machines in China always operate at room temperature because there is only a cold water system. The levels of corresponding factors were set according to the adjustable range of the washing machine.…”

“…In recent years, with consumers' increasing need for easy care, researchers have gradually focused on the optimization of washing programs. Gocek et al 6 have improved the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics during washing by selecting suitable levels of temperature, rate of mechanical action, revolution per minute, and water amount applied during laundering. Additionally, Shao and Yuan 7,8 have optimized washing programs for cotton shirts by regulating washing parameters, including washing temperature, drying time, rotating speed, and so on.…”