Alternative methods for cleaning fabrics with a washing machine

Alternative methods for cleaning fabrics with a

washing machine

Cleaning Products Europe 2015. 25-26th March, Barcelona (Spain)

Oscar Calvo

R&D Group on Textile Finishing, Health and Environment

1. INTRODUCTION TO AITEX

2. NATURAL COMPOUNDS FOR CLEANING GARMENTS

3. THE STUDIES OF SOME ALTERNATIVE METHODS

4. RESULTS OF THE STUDIES

5. CONCLUSIONS

CPE 2015. 25-26th March, Barcelona (Spain)

Alternative methods for cleaning fabrics with a washing machine 2

Alternative methods for cleaning fabrics with a washing machine



AITEX is a private non-profit association (est. 1985) that encompasses textile and textile-related companies. Its ultimate aim is to make this sector more competitive. To achieve this, the Institute promotes modernisation and the introduction of new and emerging technologies by developing R&D projects and, in general, any initiatives that will contribute to the industrial progress of the sector.

AITEX’s headquarters are located in Alcoi (Alicante, Spain), very close to Valencia (110 km) and Alicante (60 km). Some facilities for training/education actions are also available and located in Paterna (Valencia).

3




It is currently, the leading Spanish centre for research, innovation and advanced technical services available to the textile, manufacturing and technical textile sectors.

4




Some indicators (2013):

AITEX member companies: 1.097

R&D Projects: 121Companies involved: 143International Projects: 19

Patents (last 5 years): 20

Test services: +190.000

Training activities: 160Recipient companies: 228

5




Our most important areas of expertise on textiles are:

•Textile materials applied to biotechnology and biomedicine.•Comfort measurement and management.•Garment and textile design and management technology.•Nanotechnology applied to textiles.•Textile-based solutions for protection and safety.•Textile solutions for healthcare.•Sustainability of processes and the recycling of textile products.•Textile process technology.•Intelligent and functional textiles.•Technical textiles.•ICTs in textile processes and management.•Training facilities.

6




There are some compounds and natural products (e.g. extracts coming from some plants) that can be used to improve hygienization and cleaning properties on fabrics and garments.

Of course, natural compounds and alternative methods for cleaning fabrics and garments could also be combined with common methods (washing process using detergents, softeners…) in order to maximize hygienic properties and cleaning level.

Hygienization is referred to induce antimicrobial properties on fabrics (antibacterial) and, if possible, long-lasting effect of this property.

Alternative methods are referred to innovative or mature technologies that can be used for cleaning fabrics (e.g. ozone, enzymes).

7




Natural components.

Neem extract (it’s obtained from Azadirachta indica) is native to India and the Indian subcontinent including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Neem’s tree typically grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions and can also be found in islands in the southern part of Iran. Fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.

Main properties:•It protects against mosquitoes.•Antifungal and antibacterial properties.•Healthy hair (neem oil applied on it).•To treat skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, etc.•Traditional medicine.

8




Not only neem oil/extract could be included in a washing process (or even in a detergent formulation addressed to clean fabrics and garments or to improve skin feeling of the end-user. There are other types of plants and extracts that are -some of them- usually used:

•Citronella (hygienic effect and anti-mosquitoes).•Citronellol (hygienic effect).•Geraniol (hygienic/fragrance effect).•Limonene (fragrance).•Aloe-vera (skin-care properties).•Menthol (fresh feeling).•Eucaliptol (fresh feeling).

9

Menthol

Limonene

Geraniol

Aloe Vera




Silver (under ionic or particulate state) is a strong antimicrobial compound. Antimicrobial textiles have been developed embedding Ag micro/nanoparticles on synthetic fibers and yarns, and also by impregnation or coating techniques (using a water-based dispersion of Ag). Even metallic yarns (pure Ag) or coated with silver are available in the textile market.

10

Silver inhibits the growth of bacteria/fungi on clothes (e.g. socks), and then also reduce odors and the risk of infections. How it works? Like a ‘sword’: silver ions are given off when contact is made with humidity under the right conditions: they penetrate the microbe cell walls, killing the pathogen.




Synthetic (but coming from natural: e.g. O2) compounds.

Ozone and hydrogen peroxide (oxidizing agents) are also used for washing and cleaning textiles. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the only antimicrobial agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like ozone (O3), it kills disease organisms by oxidation.

O3 is used in some industrial washing (laundry) systems. Gas is injected directly into the wash drum and dissolved on water, penetrating into fibers and allowing a easier release-effect on stains and dirt. In addition it disinfects, deodorizes and sanitizes.

H2O2 is widely used in the chemical industry for cleaning purposes. Hydrogen peroxide-based detergent formulations combine cleaning efficacy with the ability to kill microorganisms.

11


3. THE STUDIES OF SOME ALTERNATIVE METHODS


AITEX has performed some studies and projects where laundry processes and chemical involved were the main issues. Some alternative methods for sanitizing and cleaning fabrics have included:

•Use of nonwovens impregnated with neem extract and nonwovens printed/coated with a silver-based carbon paste (project: CENIT SEILA: Nuevas tecnologías para un sistema eficiente, ecológico e inteligente de lavado de los textiles del futuro). 2009 - 2012. Leader: FAGOR ELECTRODOMÉSTICOS. Developed with partner AUPA HOGAR S.L.

•Implementation of O3 technology in a domestic washing machine (project: CENIT SEILA). Developed with partner JEANOLOGIA S.L.

•Methodology for quality control of fabrics treated with a peroxide-based cleaner. CDTI project (2013) lead by SPB - Suavizantes y Plásticos Bituminosos S.L.

12




Fabrics washed using a nonwoven impregnated with neem extract.A cellulosic nonwoven (NW) was impregnated (padding system) with neem oil, and introduced on the washing machine with cotton fabrics. The main goal was to transfer antimicrobial properties from the NW to the fabrics.

13

Nonwoven impregnated with neem oil.

Microorganism (test method) Inhibition growth (%)

Staphylococcus aureus (AATCC 100) 99,0

Dust-mite (AATCC 194) 79,4

Antimicrobial properties of the nonwoven impregnated with neem oil.

WASHING PROCESS: NW/NEEM + DETERGENT (L) + SOFTENER (it was checked that detergent/softener had not influence on the final antimicrobial properties of the washed fabrics.



Dust-mite (AATCC 194) 0

Antimicrobial properties of the fabrics washed with a nonwoven impregnated with neem oil.




Fabrics washed using a nonwoven printed with silver/active carbon.A cellulosic nonwoven (NW) was printed with a polymeric resin that included a mixture of silver and activated carbon (AC), and introduced on the washing machine with cotton fabrics. The main goal was to transfer antimicrobial properties from the NW to the fabrics.

14

Nonwoven printed with the mixture Ag/AC.



Escherichia coli (AATCC 100) 100

C. albicans and A. niger (AATCC 30) 0

Antimicrobial properties of the nonwoven printed with Ag/AC.

WASHING PROCESS: PRINTED NW + DETERGENT (L) + SOFTENER (it was checked that detergent/softener had not influence on the final antimicrobial properties of the washed fabrics.



Escherichia coli (AATCC 100) 0

Antimicrobial properties of the fabrics washed with a nonwoven printed with Ag/AC.




Fabrics washed using a nonwoven printed with silver/active carbon.For testing the potential accumulative effect of the antibacterial nonwoven on the washing machine (‘functionalization’ of the washing drum), another washing cycle was done on new cotton samples but without using functional nonwoven Ag/AC.

On the other hand, some washing cycles (5 and 10) without fabrics were applied only using the functional nonwoven. After that, new cotton samples were washed without using the functional nonwoven. The main goal was to ‘functionalize’ the washing machine: new way to induce antimicrobial properties to the fabrics.

15



Antimicrobial properties of the fabrics washed without a nonwoven printed with Ag/AC (but after a washing cycle that included it).

Accumulated wash cycles

Microorganism (test method)Inhibition growth

(%)

5Staphylococcus aureus (AATCC

100)86,7

10Staphylococcus aureus (AATCC

100)100

Antimicrobial properties of the fabrics washed only with detergent + softener, after using a functional nonwoven (5 and 10 cycles).




Implementation of O3 technology in a domestic washing machine. O3 (dry process) generator device was designed and integrated by partner JEANOLOGIA S.L. in a domestic washing machine, starting from its technology developed for industrial purposes (G2 machines).

16

G2 ozone equipment (industrial) that was used for previous trials. Main initial purpose of this technology was not cleaning, but aging of garments and denim for fashion and vintage effects.

Ozone experimental device that was integrated in a FAGOR washing machine. Cleaning/sanitizing of garments was done using only O3 gas.




Implementation of O3 technology in a domestic washing machine. It was observed a significant reduction on the antimicrobial contamination of ozone treated fabrics (CO/cotton and PES/polyester), caused by the oxidizing properties of the gas. Test ISO 11737-1 performed by AITEX.

17

SampleAerobic mesophilic

bacteria (at 36º). CFUsFungi/yeast.

CFUsTotal. CFUs

Untreated CO

412 31 443

CO / O3 87 3 90Reduction 78,9% 90,3% 79,7%

SampleAerobic mesophilic

bacteria (at 36º). CFUsFungi/yeast.

CFUsTotal. CFUs

Untreated PES 504 30 534

PES / O3 40 1 41Reduction 92,1% 96,7% 92,3%

Reduction of the antimicrobial contamination on cotton fabrics treated with O3 gas (dry process).

Reduction of the antimicrobial contamination on polyester fabrics treated with O3 gas (dry process).




Methodology for quality control of fabrics treated with a peroxide-based cleaner.Partner SPB - Suavizantes y Plásticos Bituminosos is a Spanish manufacturer of competitive household cleaning, personal care and beauty products in terms of quality and price. In 2013 they developed a new cleaner based in hydrogen peroxide, and the requirement to develop a methodology to assess the influence of the peroxide on the mechanical resistance of fabrics was addressed to AITEX.

18

In collaboration with SPB, a methodology for controlling the quality of fabrics treated with the new cleaner was developed, also doing a comparison between old formulations from SPB and products from competitors.

Common SPB cleaning product for garments, based on hydrogen-peroxide.




Methodology for quality control of fabrics treated with a peroxide-based cleaner.Main issues considered in the methodology were:•Cleaner type (old product, improved product and competitor product).•Detergent used for further washing process.•Presence/absence of iron salts (presence of iron traces was found on domestic washed garments; iron promotes action of peroxide and can cause holes and burning defects on fabrics). •Presence/absence of sodium hypochlorite.

A matrix with 320 samples (4 cotton fabrics) was developed. Mixtures of the different components described above was done.

19




Methodology for quality control of fabrics treated with a peroxide-based cleaner.Each fabric treated with each combination of chemicals was tested with the standard ISO 13934-1 “Tensile properties of fabrics. Determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method” in order to measure the effect of the peroxide-based cleaner and other chemicals on the mechanical resistance of treated fabrics.

Oxidizing cleaners and bleaching agents (like hypochlorite) attack cellulose groups of cotton and dramatically reduce the mechanical resistance of yarns/fabrics.

20

Instron Dinamometer that was used for measuring the mechanical resistance (tensile strenght) of the treated fabrics with the combination of peroxide-based cleaner + other chemicals involved in washing processes.




Methodology for quality control of fabrics treated with a peroxide-based cleaner.Main results (summary of the full matrix of samples tested):

•78% of samples treated with old SPB cleaner shown better mechanical resistance than samples treated with cleaner from competitor (SPB old formulation was less aggressive than competitor one).•Mechanical resistance of fabrics treated with new SPB cleaner is 63% (avg value of all samples) higher than fabrics treated with competitor one.•Mechanical resistance of fabrics treated with new SPB cleaner is 60% (avg value of all samples) higher than fabrics treated with its old product.

21

REFERENCEAvg. Tensile strenght (N)

SPB cleaner (old) SPB cleaner (new) Competitor cleaner

Fabric 1 (white) Warp / weft 32,83 52,81 31,69Fabric 2 (pink) Warp / weft 52,31 73,43 42,26Fabric 3 (white) Warp / weft 16,63 32,86 22,65Fabric 4 (blue) Warp / weft 35,73 49,55 29,67


5. CONCLUSIONS


• Use of natural compounds can be done on washing processes and washing machines in an alternative way (textile substrates together with garments inside the drum).

• Cleaning and antibacterial properties can be achieved, and also possibilities to functionalize the washing machine can be reached (the washing machine would induce antibacterial properties).

• Ozone technology can be useful for sanitizing fabrics and garments during domestic washes due to its oxidizing properties.

• Action of cleaners based on peroxide can be assessed in terms of mechanical resistance of the treated fabrics, and the influence of the oxidizing agent on the cellulose (degradation) can be measured.

22


5. CONCLUSIONS


New ideas, researching lines and collaborations are open / in progress:•Possibility to include neem extract on detergent / softener formulations.

•Functionalization of the washing drum and development of new functionalities that could be given by it. NEW PROJECT!!!

•Industrialization of ozone-based sanitizing systems well-adapted (miniaturized) for domestic washing machines.

•Development of new formulations of detergents with special (added-value) properties for well-being of end-users. NEW PROJECT!!!

•Assessment of the influence of cleaning agents, detergents or softeners on the quality and mechanical resistance of washed fabrics (development of tailor-made methodologies for each kind of product).

23


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


• Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Programa CENIT-E (Consorcios Estratégicos Nacionales en Investigación Técnica). Proyecto SEILA: Nuevas tecnologías para un sistema eficiente, ecológico e inteligente de lavado de los textiles del futuro). 2009 - 2012.

• CDTI.

• AUPA HOGAR, S.L.

• JEANOLOGIA, S.L.

• SPB - Suavizantes y Plásticos Bituminosos S.L.

24


CONTACT DETAILS FOR +INFO


María Blanes ([email protected]). Team leader of the R&D Group on Textile Finishing, Health and Environment.

Oscar Calvo ([email protected]). Researcher.

R&D Group on Textile Finishing, Health and Environment @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/R-D-Group-on-Textile-8102442/about

AITEX website: http://www.aitex.es

25

And remember…

Please keep your clothes clean!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!!

Technology

Alternative methods for cleaning fabrics with a washing machine