Soiling, staining, and yellowing characteristics of fabrics treated with resin or formaldehyde

Cotton and 50/50 polyester/cotton fabrics, untreated and with four formaldehyde crosslinking treatments and two resin finishes, were soiled with oily and nonoily soils and an oily stain. Extent of soiling, ease of soil and stain removal, and the development of yellowness were determined after repeated laundering in a Launder-Ometer. Soiling and soil removal were influenced more by type of soil, fiber content, process of producing crosslinks, and catalyst than by the chemical composition of the crosslinking agent, although chemical composition did produce some effects. Development of yellowness of untreated and crosslinked fabrics during laundering was attributed to swelling of cotton fiber and cotton content of polyester/cotton blend fabrics. Cross-linking of cotton and cotton/ polyester fabrics by a pad-dry-cure process retarded the development of yellowness. Yellowness developed in both oily and nonoily soiled fabrics. Yellowness was not related to amount of soil on the fabrics.