| dc.description.abstract | Household fabric softeners were introduced to the consumers in early 1950s in order to maintain the handle and freshness even after several washings. The three methods of applying fabric softeners to textile, which are the most commercially successful, are rinse cycle softeners, wash cycle softeners and dry fabric softeners. The rinse cycle cationic softeners are mainly used in our country. Several small enterprises stared their own production of cationic softeners. In this work the two cationic softeners Softly (Andros Farm), Elfy (Elfy) from domestic production and Lenor (Procter & Gamble) imported were used.
The softeners were applied on the 100% white cotton waved fabrics after first, third and fifth washing cycle. The effectiveness of the softeners were studied through the changes of the dimensional stability, flexural rigidity, fabric bending, drapeability, thickness, fabric mass per unit area, porosity, water retention value. crease recovery angle, absorbency and feel (touch) of the fabrics and compared between themselves.
The results in this study showed that softener Softly from domestic production gives the best effects on 100% cotton fabric, while Lenor, imported softener gives the worst. In conclusion it can be said, fabric softeners had a significant influence on the flexural rigidity, bending modulus, soft hand and drape of 100% cotton fabrics after repeated laundering cycles and the effects were significantly different among the three tested softeners and repeating washing cycles. Manufacturers may also use the results from this study to provide better care instruction for their textile products. | sr |
