Textile Characteristics Affecting the Release of Soil during Laundering 1

Abstract

The behavior of fluorochemical surface finishing agents is examined with reference to several of the parameters which govern the ease with which soil is removed from textiles by laundering. Special attention is given to the composition and properties of a class of hybrid fluorochemical finishes which contain, in addition to perfluoroaliphatic groups that provide stain repellency in air, hydrophilic groups that enable the final polymer to show a reversal of surface character during laundering and thus provide improved soil release performance, particularly with respect to durable-press fabrics. The present work also includes a brief investigation of the normal stain release response of unfinished cotton, resin-stabilized cotton in the presence and absence of conventional hand-modifying, film-forming finishes, and unfinished polyester fabrics.