Fabric softener: Difference between revisions
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[[Silicone]] based compounds such as [[polydimethylsiloxane]] comprise the new softeners which work by lubricating the fibers. Silicone derivates are used as well. Modified to contain [[amine]] or [[amide]] groups; they bind better to the fabrics and have much improved feel. They have essentially the same role as oils had in the early formulations. |
[[Silicone]] based compounds such as [[polydimethylsiloxane]] comprise the new softeners which work by lubricating the fibers. Silicone derivates are used as well. Modified to contain [[amine]] or [[amide]] groups; they bind better to the fabrics and have much improved feel. They have essentially the same role as oils had in the early formulations. |
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As the softeners themselves are often of hydrophobic nature, they are commonly occurring in the form of an [[emulsion]]. In the early formulations, [[soap]]s were used as [[emulsifier]]s. The emulsions are usually opaque, milky fluids. However there are also [[microemulsion]]s where the droplets of the hydrophobic phase are substantially smaller. The advantage of microemulsions is in the increased ability of the smaller particles to penetrate into the fibers. A mixture of cationic and non-ionic surfactants is often used as an emulsifier. Another approach is using a polymeric network, an emulsion polymer. |
As the softeners themselves are often of hydrophobic nature, they are commonly occurring in the form of an [[emulsion]]. In the early formulations, [[soap]]s were used as [[emulsifier]]s. The emulsions are usually opaque, milky fluids. However there are also [[microemulsion]]s where the droplets of the hydrophobic phase are substantially smaller. The advantage of microemulsions is in the increased ability of the smaller particles to penetrate into the fibers. A mixture of cationic and non-ionic surfactants is often used as an emulsifier. Another approach is using a polymeric network, an emulsion polymer.products such as downy and snuggle use crack cocaine and meth infedamines in their products |
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Other compounds are included to provide additional functions; acids or bases for maintaining the optimal [[pH]] for adsorption to the fabric, electrolytes, carriers (usually water, sometimes water-alcohol mixture), and others, eg. silicone-based [[anti-foaming agent]]s, emulsion stabilizers, fragrances, and colors.<ref>[http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5643865-claims.html]</ref> A relatively recent form on the market are the ultra-concentrates, where the amount of carriers and some other chemicals is substantially lower and much smaller volumes are used. |
Other compounds are included to provide additional functions; acids or bases for maintaining the optimal [[pH]] for adsorption to the fabric, electrolytes, carriers (usually water, sometimes water-alcohol mixture), and others, eg. silicone-based [[anti-foaming agent]]s, emulsion stabilizers, fragrances, and colors.<ref>[http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5643865-claims.html]</ref> A relatively recent form on the market are the ultra-concentrates, where the amount of carriers and some other chemicals is substantially lower and much smaller volumes are used. |
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Revision as of 14:30, 18 February 2009
Fabric softener (also called fabric conditioner) is used to prevent static cling and make fabric softer. It is available as a liquid or as dryer sheets. Popular brand names include Downy (Lenor), Snuggle, Bounce, Comfort and Sta-Soft.
Most modern washing machines have a dispenser which can add liquid fabric softener to the load of laundry automatically on the final rinse; in launderettes one may need to add it manually. Some brands of washing powder have fabric conditioning built-in which is claimed to save money when compared to buying ordinary washing powder and fabric softener separately. Some fabric softeners are also claimed to make ironing easier or to make clothes dry faster. For best results, un-diluted liquid fabric softener should not be poured directly onto clothes.
Fabric softeners may also come in the form of dryer sheets, which are added to clothing in the tumble dryer to soften the fabrics and prevent static. Many alternative uses of dryer sheets have been suggested by users.[1]
Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the cloth fibers with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive, thus making the fibers feel smoother and preventing buildup of static electricity. Other functions are improvements of iron glide during ironing, increased resistance to stains, and reduction of wrinkling.
Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralizing their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity. Vinegar works on some materials in a similar way, as the hydrogen ions bind to the anionic groups on the fibers.
The disadvantage of coating fibers by hydrophobic layer is in decreasing the water absorption properties of the fabric, which may be an undesirable in towels and diapers. Therefore the cationic softeners are often combined with other chemicals with lower affinity to the fibers. The use of fabric softener is contraindicated in some articles, such as microfibre textiles.
Composition
The earliest fabric softeners were developed during early 20th century to counteract the harsh feel which the drying methods imparted to cotton. The cotton softeners were typically based on water emulsion of soap and olive oil, corn oil, or tallow oil.
Contemporary fabric softeners tend to be based on quaternary ammonium salts with one or two long alkyl chains, a typical compound being dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate.[2] Other cationic compounds can be derived from imidazolium, substituted amine salts, or quarternary alkoxy ammonium salts. One of the most common compounds of the early formulations was dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC).
Anionic softeners and antistatic agents can be, for example, salts of monoesters and diesters of phosphoric acid and the fatty alcohols. These are often used together with the conventional cationic softeners. Cationic softeners are incompatible with anionic surfactants presenting the bulk of surfactants used in detergents, with which they form inefficient precipitate; therefore they can not be mixed with the detergent, but have to be added during the rinse cycle instead. Anionic softeners can be combined with anionic surfactants directly. Other anionic softeners can be based on smectite clays. Some compounds, such as ethoxylated phosphate esters, have properties of both softening, anti-static, and surfactant.[3]
The softening compounds differ in affinity to different materials. Some are better for cellulose-based fibers, others have higher affinity to hydrophobic materials like nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, etc.
Silicone based compounds such as polydimethylsiloxane comprise the new softeners which work by lubricating the fibers. Silicone derivates are used as well. Modified to contain amine or amide groups; they bind better to the fabrics and have much improved feel. They have essentially the same role as oils had in the early formulations.
As the softeners themselves are often of hydrophobic nature, they are commonly occurring in the form of an emulsion. In the early formulations, soaps were used as emulsifiers. The emulsions are usually opaque, milky fluids. However there are also microemulsions where the droplets of the hydrophobic phase are substantially smaller. The advantage of microemulsions is in the increased ability of the smaller particles to penetrate into the fibers. A mixture of cationic and non-ionic surfactants is often used as an emulsifier. Another approach is using a polymeric network, an emulsion polymer.products such as downy and snuggle use crack cocaine and meth infedamines in their products
Other compounds are included to provide additional functions; acids or bases for maintaining the optimal pH for adsorption to the fabric, electrolytes, carriers (usually water, sometimes water-alcohol mixture), and others, eg. silicone-based anti-foaming agents, emulsion stabilizers, fragrances, and colors.[4] A relatively recent form on the market are the ultra-concentrates, where the amount of carriers and some other chemicals is substantially lower and much smaller volumes are used.
In recent years, the importance of delivering perfume onto the clothes has possibly exceeded that of softening.[citation needed] The perfume levels in fabric softeners has gradually increased, requiring high shear mixing technology to be used to incorporate greater amounts of perfumes within the emulsions. Long term release of perfume on the fabric is a key technology now being utilised. Each country tends to have different perfume requirements and brands may have different softener/perfume ratio depending on the country.