Performance evaluation of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil & mint essential oil on cotton (knit) fabric as mosquito repellent finish

The evaluation focuses on enhancing mosquito repellency in 100% cotton fabric through the application of naturally extracted oils, prioritizing their advantages over synthetic alternatives due to concerns about human health and the environment.Tea tree oil, eucalyptus leaves, and mint were selected as key ingredients, applied using the exhaust method.Various tests, including air permeability, bursting strength, GSM, washing fastness, and mosquito repellency, were conducted to assess effectiveness.The study highlights the importance of fabric engineering in mosquito control and introduces a commercial repellent finish.While the treated fabric initially demonstrated strong repellency, efficacy waned after seven washes due to superficial application, especially evident in mint-treated fabric.Cotton fabric treated with tea tree oil showed most repellency.However, fabrics treated with eucalyptus oil or a combination of oils maintained partial repellency.Mint-treated fabric showed the most significant decline, emphasizing the importance of proper bonding between oils and fabric.The study underscores the need for continued research into effective mosquito repellent textiles, identifying the most successful repellent chemicals through comparative analysis.