Care of PLA Textiles

Abstract

The appropriate laundering conditions for the care of polylactide (PLA) textiles have been found. One problem with PLA is its poor resistance to hydrolysis and dramatic loss in strength at conditions typically used in textile processing such as alkaline conditions and elevated temperatures. In this study, PLA fabrics underwent 50 home laundering cycles at various pH levels (8 or 10), washing temperatures (35°C or 55°C), and drying conditions (line dry at 21°C/65% relative humidity or tumble dry at 50 or 70°C). After every 10 laundering cycle, the breaking tenacity, breaking elongation, and modulus of yarns in the PLA fabric were measured. It was found that washing PLA fabrics at pH 8 and 35°C and line drying it at 21°C and 65% relative humidity resulted in greater retention in mechanical properties than washing them at pH 10 and 55°C and tumble drying at 70°C. The authors therefore recommend the following care instructions for PLA textiles: use mild detergents with relatively low pH (pH 8), machine wash cold (35°C), and line dry. If machine drying is desired, tumble dry at the low heat setting or permanent press setting (50°C) is recommended.

Poly(lactic acid) fibers, yarns and fabrics: Manufacturing, properties and applications

“…An appropriate laundry condition maintaining better mechanical properties was recommended using mild detergents with relatively low pH (pH 8), cold machine wash (35 C), and line dry. 170,171 Tumble drying should be avoided, or if it is desired, the fabric should be dried at low temperature (50 C). [170][171][172] The mechanical properties of the laundered PLA fabric were tested by KES-F evaluation.…”

“…170,171 Tumble drying should be avoided, or if it is desired, the fabric should be dried at low temperature (50 C). [170][171][172] The mechanical properties of the laundered PLA fabric were tested by KES-F evaluation. During laundry cycles, the shear stiffness and shear hysteresis decreased, and the bending stiffness and bending hysteresis were reduced too.…”

Designing Sustainable Fashion: Possibilities and Challenges

“…Proper care is also essential to preserving fabric properties and ensuring durability to the full extent. For example, in the case of polylactid acid (PLA), very specific care is required -including pH level, washing temperature and drying conditions -in order to retain its properties after repeated laundering (Karst et al, 2009). The repair of garments used to be a regular activity.…”

Improved Mechanical, Thermal, and Hydrophobic Properties of PLA Modified with Alkoxysilanes by Reactive Extrusion Process

“…Nonetheless, although PLA textiles exhibit excellent hand, moisture management, and easy-care properties [14], PLA fibers, unfortunately, are susceptible to degrade in wet conditions, which can be induced by the hydrolysis of ester bonds, leading to the decrease of the degree of polymerization [15]. Substantial research has suggested that PLA textiles undergo degradation during home laundering and storage; in such a way, there has been observed a 20% and 25% decrease in filament strength and modulus, respectively, after 10 times washing at pH 10, 55 • C [16]. Furthermore, a 50% decrease of the polymer MW was observed after 262 days of storage at 40 • C and 80% humidity [17].…”