Effects of Laundering on Environmentally-Improved and Classic Denim Fabrics

Abstract Denim manufactures are capitalizing on consumers' environmental awareness and are producing fabrics constructed from environmentally-improved fibers. This experimental study examined the effects of launderings on the breaking strength, and breaking elongation of environmentally improved and classic denim fabrics. There were significant differences in the percent changes in breaking strength and elongation of the environmentally-improved and classic denim fabrics as a result of repeated launderings. The 80 % cotton/20 % PET (poly (ethylene teraphthalate)) maintained its strength during laundering. The organic cotton performed similarly to the two classic fabrics; it proved robust to laundering with respect to breaking strength and breaking elongation. Overall, the environmentally-improved denim fabrics performed similarly to the classic denim fabrics with respect to breaking strength and breaking elongation.