Astronauts live a fairly normal social life on the International Space Station, 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. They keep wearing their clothes for days and weeks without washing them. They do not wash their clothes because there is shortage of water. But here on earth, washing clothes is a part of our life. According to an estimate, water equivalent to 21,000 Olympic swimming pools is used every day to wash clothes in homes around the world. Fibers from our clothes enter the environment through air (during use or in the dryer), water (washing) and soil (as waste). The loss of fabric fibers is not easily detected and we pay attention to it only when our favorite clothes get spoiled and by then it is too late. How can you ensure that your favorite dress lasts longer than you intend to wear it? Simple question, complex answer.
washing machine not gentle
When you clean the filters in your washing machine and dryer, how often do you stop to think that the fiber or lint you were holding was actually your clothes? In fact, washing is harmful to clothes and research confirms this. Many factors come into play: type of washing machine, washing cycle, detergent, temperature, time, and type of fabric and thread construction. There are two types of washing machines used in homes: top-loader and front-loader. Mechanical spinning (the way a machine moves clothes around) is one of the things that helps reduce dirt from clothes.
How top loader and front loader work
Top-loaders have a vertical, bucket-like basket with paddles that move clothes through large amounts of water. A front-loader has a horizontal bucket that rotates, allowing small amounts of water to be added to the clothes, and uses gravity rather than a ‘paddle’. Top-loading machines are more damaging to clothes than front-loaders due to the different mechanical action and higher water content. Washing machine panels also offer many options. Low temperature ‘programs’ are usually sufficient for everyday stains on clothes. Select the high temperature program only for clothing you are concerned about, such as the uniforms of health care workers. Machine manufacturers give information about the amount of water used, temperature, speed of rotation etc. Therefore, selecting the wrong program can damage your favorite clothes. If you want that more fibers do not come out from your clothes, then you should wash your clothes less.
Be cautious in using chemicals
The type of detergent and other products you use also makes a difference. Detergents contain soap components, enzymes and fragrances that make stain removal easier at low temperatures. Some detergents also contain harsh ingredients, such as bleaching or whitening agents. Modern detergents are very effective in removing food stains. Selecting the wrong wash cycle, laundry detergent and bleaching aid can be damaging. Some products, such as bleach, can damage some wool and silk fibers.