Introducing Old-look, Soft Handle, Flame Retardant, and Anti-bacterial Properties to Denim Garments Using Nano Clay

Abstract

In this paper, nano clay as a novel garment finishing technique termed “nano-washing,” was applied to cotton denim garments and compared with conventional washing involving amylase and cellulase. Color changes of the garment samples were investigated by using a reflectance spectrophotometer and the garment surfaces were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Air permeability, crease recovery angle, bending strength, abrasion resistance, thermal properties, and antibacterial activity of the treated samples were investigated and reported. It was found that treatment of denim garment with nano clay produced old look garment with soft handle, enhanced thermal and rubbing or washing fastness properties. Overall, this novel nano-washing process on the denim garment was an easy, economical, and simple method with a great deal of advantages.