The Effects of Wear and Laundering on the Wrinkling of Fabrics1

Abstract

In a garment, freedom from wrinkling depends upon the ability of the fabric to recover from bending deformations which occur during wear and laundering. During wear, the important variables are the ambient temperature and humidity and the activity of the wearer. Fabrics next to the wearer's body are exposed to temperatures of 90-95° F., to relative humidities of 60-95%, and to pressures up to 2 psi for various times. During laundering, the important conditions are temperatures of 100-140° F. while wet, pressure of 1-2 psi, and deformation times of 4-6 min. followed by temperature changes which may either set wrinkles in or remove them as in tumble drying. The mechanical agitation during washing does not cause wrinkling; it actually assists the fabric to recover from wear wrinkles. Centrifugal spinning to remove water is the major cause of wrinkling in automatic washing machines. Data and information on the above factors can be used in the design of laboratory tests which can currently prediet the performance of wash-wear fabrics. Several new and modified test procedures which are being developed along these lines are described.