Green Technologies and Sustainability in the Care and Maintenance of Protective Textiles

Authors: R. Nayak, T. Panwar, R. Padhye

Abstract:

Protective textiles get soiled, stained and even worn during their use, which may not be usable after a certain period due to the loss of protective performance. They need regular cleaning and maintenance, which helps to extend the durability of the clothing, retains their useful properties and ensures that fresh clothing is ready to wear when needed. Generally, the cleaning processes used for various protective clothing include dry-cleaning (using solvents) or wet cleaning (using water). These cleaning processes can alter the fabric surface properties, dimensions, and physical, mechanical and performance properties. The technology of laundering and dry-cleaning has undergone several changes. Sustainable methods and products are available for faster, safer and improved cleaning of protective textiles. We performed a comprehensive and systematic review of green technologies and eco-friendly products for sustainable cleaning of protective textiles. Special emphasis is given on the care and maintenance procedures of protective textiles for protection from fire, bullets, chemical and other types of protective clothing.

Keywords: Sustainable cleaning, protective textiles, eco-friendly cleaning, ozone laundering, ultrasonic cleaning.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1316123

References:

[1] Nayak, R. and R. Padhye, The care of apparel products, in Textiles and fashion: Materials, design and technology, R. Sinclair, Editor. 2014, Elsevier: United Kingdom. p. 799-822.
[2] Nayak, R., et al., Effect of repeated laundering and Dry-cleaning on the thermo-physiological comfort properties of aramid fabrics. Fibers and Polymers, 2016. 17(6): p. 954.
[3] Nayak, R., et al., Comfort properties of suiting fabrics. Indian Journal of Fiber & Textile Research, 2009. 34: p. 122-128.
[4] Rezazadeh, M. and D.A. Torvi, Assessment of factors affecting the continuing performance of firefighters’ protective clothing: a literature review. Fire technology, 2011. 47(3): p. 565-599.
[5] Nayak, R., S. Houshyar, and R. Padhye, Recent trends and future scope in the protection and comfort of fire-fighters’ personal protective clothing. Fire Science Reviews, 2014. 3(1): p. 1-19.
[6] Cameron, B.A., Detergent considerations for consumers: laundering in hard water–how much extra detergent is required. The Journal of Extension, 2011. 49: p. 4RIB6.
[7] Järvi, P. and A. Paloviita, Product-related information for sustainable use of laundry detergents in Finnish households. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007. 15(7): p. 681-689.
[8] Arild, A.-H., et al., An investigation of domestic laundry in Europe: habits, hygiene and technical performance. 2003: SIFO, Statens Institutt for Forbruksforskning.
[9] Helliker, M., et al., Effect of domestic laundering on the fragment protective performance of fabrics used in personal protection. Textile Research Journal, 2014. 84(12): p. 1298-1306.
[10] Wang, L., et al., Recent trends in ballistic protection. Textiles and Light Industrial Science and Technology, 2014. 3: p. 37-47.
[11] Chin, J., et al., Effect of artificial perspiration and cleaning chemicals on the mechanical and chemical properties of ballistic materials. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2009. 113(1): p. 567-584.
[12] Lavy, T., J. Mattice, and R. Flynn, Field studies monitoring worker exposure to pesticides. Pesticide Formulations and Application Systems, 1983: p. 60-74.
[13] Gotoh, K., Investigation of optimum liquid for textile washing using artificially soiled fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 2009.
[14] Nayak, R., R. Padhye, and L. Wang, How to dress at work, in Management and Leadership- A Guide for Clinical Professionals, S. Patole, Editor. 2014, Springer International Publishing AG.
[15] Bruning, L.M., The bloodborne pathogens final rule: Understanding the regulation. AORN Journal, 1993. 57(2): p. 437-466.
[16] Yokoe, D.S., et al., A compendium of strategies to prevent healthcare‐associated infections in acute care hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2008. 29(S1): p. S12-S21.
[17] Belkin, N.L., Home laundering of soiled surgical scrubs: surgical site infections and the home environment. American Journal of Infection Control, 2001. 29(1): p. 58-64.
[18] Doty, K.C. and E. Easter, An analysis of the care and maintenance of performance textiles and effects of care on performance. AATCC Review, 2007: p. 37-42.
[19] SHAW, A., Selection of flame resistant protective clothing. Handbook of Fire Resistant Textiles, 2013: p. 351.
[20] Williams, J.T., Textiles for cold weather apparel. 2009: Elsevier.
[21] Wentz, M., Textile care technology spectra and care labeling issues, in Apparel Care and Environment: Alternative Technologies and Labeling (EPA 744_R-96-002). 1996: Washington DC. p. 83-85.
[22] Crown, E.M., A. Feng, and X. Xu, How clean is clean enough? Maintaining thermal protective clothing under field conditions in the oil and gas sector. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2004. 10(3): p. 247-254.
[23] Fijan, S., R. Fijan, and S. Šostar-Turk, Implementing sustainable laundering procedures for textiles in a commercial laundry and thus decreasing wastewater burden. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2008. 16(12): p. 1258-1263.
[24] Heyns, M., et al., Advanced wet and dry cleaning coming together for next generation. Solid State Technol, 1999. 42(3): p. 37-44.
[25] Berth, P., Recent developments in the field of inorganic builders. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 1978. 55(1): p. 52-57.
[26] Illman, J., T. Albin, and H. Stupel, Studies on replacement of phosphate builders in laundry detergents using radiolabeled soils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 1972. 49(4): p. 217-221.
[27] Cardamone, J.M., Activated peroxide for enzymatic control of wool shrinkage part II: wool and other fiber-type fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 2006. 76(2): p. 109-115.
[28] Rice, R.G., et al., Microbiological benefits of ozone in laundering systems. Ozone: Science & Engineering, 2009. 31(5): p. 357-368.
[29] Koester, A.W. and J.K. May, Profiles of adolescents' clothing practices: purchase, daily selection, and care. Adolescence, 1985.
[30] Gallego-Juarez, J.A., High-power ultrasonic processing: recent developments and prospective advances. Physics Procedia, 2010. 3(1): p. 35-47.
[31] Hurren, C., P. Cookson, and X. Wang, The effects of ultrasonic agitation in laundering on the properties of wool fabrics. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2008. 15(6): p. 1069-1074.
[32] Gallego-Juarez, J.A., et al., Ultrasonic system for continuous washing of textiles in liquid layers. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2010. 17(1): p. 234-238.
[33] Canoğlu, S., B. Gültekin, and S. Yükseloğlu, Effect of ultrasonic energy in washing of medical surgery gowns. ultrasonics, 2004. 42(1): p. 113-119.
[34] Warmoeskerken, M., et al., Laundry process intensification by ultrasound. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2002. 210(2): p. 277-285.
[35] Moholkar, V.S., et al., Mechanism of mass‐transfer enhancement in textiles by ultrasound. AIChE Journal, 2004. 50(1): p. 58-64.
[36] Van Amber, R.R., B.E. Niven, and C.A. Wilson, Effects of laundering and water temperature on the properties of silk and silk-blend knitted fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 2010.
[37] Ma, M., et al., Effects of ultrasonic laundering on the properties of silk fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 2014. 84(20): p. 2166-2174.
[38] Gotoh, K. and K. Harayama, Application of ultrasound to textiles washing in aqueous solutions. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 2013. 20(2): p. 747-753.
[39] Hurren, C.J., A study into the ultrasonic cleaning of wool. 2010, Deakin University.
[40] Gaete-Garretón, L., et al., On the onset of transient cavitation in gassy liquids. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1997. 101(5): p. 2536-2540.
[41] Smulders, E., et al., Laundry detergents. 2007: Wiley Online Library.
[42] Flick, E.W., Advanced cleaning product formulations. Vol. 2. 2013: Elsevier.
[43] Case, F., Silicones in fabric care. Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 2006. 9(4): p. 303.
[44] Zhang, X. and B. Han, Cleaning Using CO2‐Based Solvents. Clean: Soil, Air, Water, 2007. 35(3): p. 223-229.