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Effect of softener in home laundering of cotton fabric: a study of low-stress mechanical properties

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Abstract

This paper examines the effect of softener in home laundering in terms of low-stress mechanical properties of cotton fabric. Three commercially available softeners (A, B and C) were used with different buffering agents (Softener A—Sodium Carbonate; Softener B—Citric acid and Softener C—Formic acid). The washing process was based on commonly used home laundering machine with general laundering powder. The cotton fabrics were washed 1, 3 and 5 times and in each washing cycle, softener was added according to the softener manufacturer’s recommendation. After washing and drying in the home laundering cycle, low-stress mechanical properties, i.e. tensile, shearing, bending and compression, of the cotton fabric were evaluated. Experimental results revealed that different softeners affect low-stress mechanical properties differently. In addition, the factors involved in the home laundering process that may affect the low-stress mechanical properties of cotton fabric are discussed.

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Acknowledgment

This work is part of final year project submitted by Tsz-ching Lau in partial fulfilment of the requirements for BA (Hons) degree in the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Authors thank The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for the financial support for this work.

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  1. Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    C. W. Kan & T. C. Lau

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  1. C. W. Kan
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  2. T. C. Lau
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Correspondence to C. W. Kan.

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Kan, C.W., Lau, T.C. Effect of softener in home laundering of cotton fabric: a study of low-stress mechanical properties. Cellulose 25, 6161–6173 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1956-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1956-3

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