Thesis (MSc )--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Washing and cleansing in an aqueous washing solution is a complex process involving the
interaction of numerous physical and chemical processes. Investigations indicate that
various factors present during repeated laundering might have an adverse effect on textile
fabrics. Little is known, however, about the effect of the different mechanical wash actions
on the deterioration of textiles.
The automatic washing machines commonly used in South African households are often
broadly classified as top loaders and front loaders. On closer inspection, however, it
becomes clear that marked differences exist between the horizontal drum machines (H),
vertical drum agitator type (V(A)) and vertical drum impeller type machines (V(/)). The effect
of laundering on the wear life of textile fabrics has been extensively investigated, but a
serious need for research on the effect of the different mechanical washing actions of the
different washing machines on textile fabrics exists on both national and international level. A
number of factors have an effect on textile deterioration during washing, e.g. number of
washes, temperature of wash liquid, detergent type as well as fabric finishes and water
quality. Fabric properties like changes in tensile strength, print deterioration and fraying, as
well as electron microscope photographs, were used as indicators of mechanical
deterioration to textiles.
The broad aim of this exploratory study was firstly, to compare the effect of repeated washing
in different domestic automatic washing machines (commonly used in South Africa) on the
possible mechanical damage to textile fabrics and, secondly, to compare the soil removal
efficiency of the mechanical wash actions of the different machines. An experimental study
was therefore decided on. The washing of the test fabrics, as well as the testing, was carried
out under controlled conditions in a laboratory. Apart from the different mechanical wash
actions of the individual machines, the effect of the variables wash temperature, level of
detergent and number of washes, was also investigated. This was done by measuring
tensile strength, print deterioration and fraying propensity on samples laundered repeatedly
at 40°C or 60°C, with and without detergent in the washing liquid, and comparing the colour
change measured on laboratory-soiled test fabrics after washing.
Analysis of the mechanical wash actions of the seven washing machines compared in this
study indicated conspicuous differences among machines. It can be concluded that the
mechanical wash action in the category V(A) machines is the most severe, and causes the
highest reduction in tensile strength, the greatest print deterioration and the highest degree of fraying. These machines did not, however, exhibit greater soil removal efficiency than the
other two categories of washing machines. The machines from category H did not exhibit a
significantly different soil removal efficiency than those from category V(A), but their
mechanical wash action proved to be less severe. Category V(/) machines seem to have the
most delicate wash action and will probably cause the slightest fabric deterioration over the
long term, but unfortunately produces poor soil removal efficiency results. This study also
confirmed that washing fabrics in water alone causes more deterioration of tensile strength in
fabrics than washing with detergent in the wash solution.
Due to the limited scope and exploratory nature of this research/study, certain aspects of
automatic washing machine processes could not be tested empirically. Recommendations
for future research and implications for consumers were formulated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Was en skoonmaak in 'n waterige oplossing is 'n komplekse proses wat 'n interaksie tussen
verskeie fisiese en chemiese prosesse behels. Ondersoeke dui aan dat verskeie van die
faktore teenwoordig tydens herhaalde wasprosesse 'n nadelige effek op tekstielstowwe mag
he. Baie min is egter bekend oor die effek van die verskillende meganiese wasaksies op die
degenerasie van tekstiele.
Die outomatiese wasmasjiene wat algemeen in Suid-Afrikaanse huishoudings gebruik word,
word dikwels breedweg geklassifiseer as bolaaiers en voorlaaiers. By nadere ondersoek
word dit egter duidelik dat daar opvallende verskille bestaan tussen die horisontale drom
masjiene (H), die vertikale drom roerder tipe ((V)A)) en die vertikale drom stuwer tipe (V(/))
masjiene. Die effek van was op die draleeftyd van tekstielstowwe is uitvoerig ondersoek,
maar daar bestaan op beide nasionale en internasionale vlak In ernstige behoefte aan
navorsing oor die effek van die verskillende meganiese wasaksies van die verskillende
wasmasjiene op tekstielstowwe. Faktore 5005 die aantal wasse, temperatuur van die
wasoplossing, detergent tipe, water kwaliteit en tekstielstoftipe en -afwerking(s) het In effek
of tekstieldegenerasie gedurende was. Tekstielstofeienskappe 5005 veranderinge in die
breeksterkte van die tekstielstof of die tekstielstofmassa per eenheidsarea, agteruitgang van
bedrukking, rafeling, sowel as elektronmikroskoop foto's word as aanduiding van meganiese
degenerasie t.o.v. tekstiele beskou.
Die oorkoepelende doe I van hierdie eksploratiewe studie was eerstens, om die effek te
vergelyk van herhaalde was in verskillende outomatiese wasmasjiene (algemeen in gebruik
in Suid-Afrika) op die moontlike meganiese beskadiging aan tekstielstowwe, en tweedens,
om die doeltreffendheid van vuilverwydering op die wasaksies van die verskillende masjiene
te vergelyk. Daar is gevolglik op In eksperimentele studie besluit. Die was van die
tekstielstowwe, sowel as die laboratoriumtoetse, is onder gekontroleerde atmosferiese
toestande in In laboratorium uitgevoer. Afgesien van die verskillende meganiese wasaksies
van die individuele masjiene, is die effek van die veranderlikes westemperetuur,
detergentv!ak en aanta! wasse ook ondersoek. Dit is gedoen deur die bepaling van
breeksterkte en die meting van die mate van agteruitgang van bedrukking en mate van
geneigdheid tot rafeling van kledingstowwe na herhaalde was by 40°C en 60°C, met en
sonder detergent in die wasvloeistof. Die kleurverandering na was is ook gemeet op
laboratorium gevlekte monsters. Die analise van die meganiese wasaksie van die sewe wasmasjiene wat in hierdie studie
vergelyk is, het opvallende verskille tussen masjiene uitgewys. Daar kan tot die
gevolgtrekking gekom word dat die meganiese wasaksie in kategorie V(A) masjiene die
ergste is, wat gevolglik die grootste verlaging in breeksterkte en die meeste afieruitgang van
bedrukking en rafeling veroorsaak het. Hierdie masjiene het egter nie meer doeltreffende
vuilverwydering tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met die ander kategoriee van wasmasjiene
nie. Die masjiene in kategorie H het nie 'n betekenisvolle verskil in doeltreffenheid van
vuilverwydering van die van kategorie V(A) getoon nie, maar die meganiese wasaksie was
minder straf. Kategorie V(/) masjiene het blykbaar die mees delikate wasaksie en sal
moontlik die minste tekstielstof degenerasie oor die langtermyn toon, maar ongelukkig is die
resultate t.o. v. die doeltreffendheid van vuilverwydering swak. Die studie bevestig dat die
was van tekstielstowwe in water aileen 'n groter verlaging in breeksterkte van tekstielstowwe
veroorsaak as wat die geval is wanneer met 'n detergent in die wasvloeistof gewas word.
Weens die beperkte omvang en eksploratiewe aard van die studie kon sekere aspekte van
die outomatiese wasprosesse nie empiries getoets word nie. Aanbevelings vir toekomstige
navorsing en implikasies vir verbruikers is geformuleer.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52065 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Gericke, Adine |
| Contributors | Visser, E.M., Weideman, E., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Dept. of Economics. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 v. (various pagings) |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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