Effect of rinse cycle softener treatment on the low-stress mechanical properties of cotton-woven fabric

Purpose The application of rinse cycle softener after the household laundry process has become more common in recent times. This study aims to understand the effect of repeated rinse cycle softener treatment on the mechanical and frictional properties of the cotton fabric. Design/methodology/approach Cotton-woven fabric is treated with commercial rinse cycle softener repeatedly for 15 times. After treatment, the fabric was evaluated for the changes in mechanical properties using the Kawabata evaluation system. Findings The results of this study revealed that the softener treatment reduces the tensile properties (41.25%) and increases the overall extensibility of the fabric up to 20.89%. The shear (34.57%) and bending rigidity of the treated fabric are reduced considerably than the untreated fabric (58.02%). The increment in the fabric softness and fluffiness was confirmed with the increment in the compression and the difference between the initial and final thickness at maximum pressure. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) is noted only in the case of bending and surface friction properties (dynamic friction). Originality/value The usage of rinse cycle softeners in the household laundry has a significant influence on the comfort characteristics of the cotton-woven fabric. Repeated usage of rinse cycle softener increased the fabric softness and fluffiness of the fabric and also reduced the tensile properties significantly.

Influence of repeated household fabric softener treatment on the comfort characteristics of cotton and polyester fabrics

Purpose The utilisation of softener after laundering of textile became one of the mandatory activities among the consumers. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of repeated rinse cycle softener treatment on the comfort characteristics of cotton and polyester woven fabric. Design/methodology/approach The selected cotton and polyester fabrics were treated using three different softeners types and three different numbers of rinsing times, namely 5, 10 and 15. The impact of repeated rinse cycle softener treatment on the comfort characteristics like absorbency, air permeability, wicking, thermal conductivity and flammability was analysed and the changes in the properties were confirmed using two-way ANOVA. Findings The number of rinse cycle softener treatment has a significant impact on the absorbency, air permeability and wicking ability of the cotton and polyester fabrics. The thermal conductivity and flammability characteristics of the fabrics mostly altered based on the type of fabric softener used. For all the type of fabric, the burning time reduced after the softener treatment. Social implications The consumer expects the softness and fragrance smell developed by the rinse cycle softener and they intend to use it more frequently after every laundry process to achieve that feel. This repeated the application of softener causes a negative impact on the fabric performances. This research result provides an evidence for the changes in physiological comfort aspects of textiles. Originality/value This analysis enlightens the negative impact of the repeated use of commercial fabric softener and their types on the common fabrics used in apparel endues.

Microbial Load of Fresh Produce and Paired Equipment Surfaces in Packing Facilities Near the U.S. and Mexico Border

ABSTRACT Several produce-associated outbreaks have been linked to the packing facility. Equipment surfaces may be an important source of contamination. The goal was to assess whether the microbial load of packing facility surfaces is associated with the microbial load of produce. From November 2000 to December 2003, 487 matched produce (14 types) and equipment surfaces (six production steps) were sampled from eight packing facilities in the United States near the border with Mexico and enumerated for aerobic plate counts (APC), Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and coliforms. Bivariate correlations were assessed by Spearman's ρ, and adjusted associations were assessed by multilevel mixed linear regression models. In general, the microbial load both increased and decreased on produce (0.2 to 1.0 log CFU/g) and equipment surfaces (0.5 to 3.0 log CFU/cm2) across production steps. Equipment surface and produce microbial loads were correlated, but correlations varied from none to high depending on the equipment surface. For example, significant correlations (P &lt; 0.01) included APC (ρ = 0.386) and Enterococcus (ρ = 0.562) with the harvest bin, E. coli (ρ = 0.372) and Enterococcus (ρ = 0.355) with the merry-go-round, Enterococcus (ρ = 0.679) with rinse cycle equipment, APC (ρ = 0.542) with the conveyer belt, and for all indicators with the packing box (ρ = 0.310 to 0.657). After controlling for crop type, sample replicate group, and sample location, there were significant positive associations between the log concentration of Enterococcus on produce and the harvest bin (β = 0.259, P &lt; 0.01) and the rinse cycle (β = 0.010, P = 0.01), and between the log concentration of all indicators on produce and the packing box (β = 0.155 to 0.500, all P &lt; 0.01). These statistically significant associations between microbial loads on packing facility surfaces and fresh produce confirm the importance of packing facility sanitation to protect produce quality and safety.