A study on easy-care laundering of linen fabrics

Linen fabrics are known for their superior comfort properties over fabrics of other origins. However, they have a very high tendency to wrinkle during use and laundry. In order to overcome this problem, easy-care finishes are applied on linen during or after fabric production. These chemicals are partially released during use and washing. Moreover, strengths of fabrics are affected negatively. Increasing ecological concerns and public awareness bring the need for an environmentally friendly alternative process. Delicate washing may decrease the number of wrinkles on fabrics but the functions used in the new-generation washing machines regarding the wrinkle reduction do not provide the expected results on linen fabrics. In this study, the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics encountered during washing action in washing machines with steam generators is improved by selection of proper levels of processing parameters, including temperature, rate of mechanical action (ED), revolution per minute (rpm) and water amount applied during laundering. In order to further improve the wrinkling behavior of linen fabrics while still maintaining the gentle washing action, steaming steps were inserted into the laundering process between the adjacent laundering steps. The shrinkage and wrinkling characteristics of laundered linen fabrics were measured and analyzed. The best four profiles amongst others were chosen, and will be used for the development of a laundering process specializing in gentle washing linen products.