Laundering Cotton Fabric

Abstract

In six university laboratories, white cotton fabric was repeatedly soiled with a synthetic sebum and clay and laundered in home-type equipment. Two built nonionic detergents were used at 70° and 140°F. After 24 treatments, evidence of a buildup of soil on all samples was obtained from the increase in extracted oil and ash content, the decrease in Rd values and the increase in "b" values. The mean percentages of total soil removed varied among the laboratories. Clay soil was removed more readily than oily soil. More soil was removed by laundering at 140° than at 70°F. The regular detergent had better detersive action than the cold-water detergent. Water temperature was more important than detergent type in soil removal. Redeposition of soil onto unsoiled laundered fabrics was negligible. Extraction and ashing gave a better indication of total residual soil than reflectance measurement. Use of novial filter during reflectance measurement indicated the effectiveness of optical brighteners in whitening fabrics.