INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SOFTENERS ON PILLING PROPERTIES AND DURABILITY TO WASHING OF BAMBOO KNITTED FABRICS

Fuzzing and pilling problems are one of the main problems of knitted fabrics. The softeners have various effects on pilling resistance of the fabrics. The aim of this study is to investigate systematically the effect of different softeners on pilling property of bamboo knitted fabrics. Furthermore, the washing durability of the used softeners after 5, 10 and 20 washing cycles was also examined. For this purpose, firstly 100% bamboo knitted fabrics were produced. After the fabrics were pre-treated and dyed, seven different softeners were applied to these fabrics by padding method. Then, all untreated and treated fabrics were laundered in Wascator. Washed cycles were being selected as 5, 10 and 20. In conclusion, it was found that the softeners generally decreased the pilling formation on bamboo knitted fabrics and the effect of softeners was positive. Among the softeners, before washing Softener S4 (cationic softener) and Softener S6 (mixture of carbamino derivative and micro silicone) were the best. The multiple washings caused increases in pilling formation due to the intensive mechanical effect during laundering on bamboo knitted fabrics.