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 machine2

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: 121
Companies involved: 143
International Projects: 19
Patents (last 5 years): 20
Test services: +190.000
Training activities: 160
Recipient 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
(%)
5
Staphylococcus aureus (AATCC
100)
86,7
10
Staphylococcus 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
Sample
Aerobic mesophilic
bacteria (at 36º). CFUs
Fungi/yeast.
CFUs
Total.
CFUs
Untreated
CO
412 31 443
CO / O3 87 3 90
Reduction 78,9% 90,3% 79,7%
Sample
Aerobic mesophilic
bacteria (at 36º). CFUs
Fungi/yeast.
CFUs
Total.
CFUs
Untreated PES 504 30 534
PES / O3 40 1 41
Reduction 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.

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

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.

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
REFERENCE
Avg. Tensile
strenght (N)
SPB cleaner (old) SPB cleaner (new) Competitor cleaner
Fabric 1 (white) Warp / weft 32,83 52,81 31,69
Fabric 2 (pink) Warp / weft 52,31 73,43 42,26
Fabric 3 (white) Warp / weft 16,63 32,86 22,65
Fabric 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.
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CONTACT DETAILS FOR +INFO
María Blanes (mblanes@aitex.es). Team leader of the R&D Group on
Textile Finishing, Health and Environment.
Oscar Calvo (ocalvo@aitex.es). 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
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And remember…
Please keep your
clothes clean!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!!!

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