Towards functional textiles: the novel sustainable technologies for improvement of appearance, colour, elasticity, and regeneration of microdamages

Abstract The production and laundry of all synthetic textiles currently in use by consumers exerts a significant impact on global pollution, primarily through the emission of greenhouse gases and the intensive release of microplastic particles into the environment. Considering this, the present study proposes the wearing and improvement of delicate fabrics with low durability as a means of supporting the sustainable use of resources. The aim of this research was to suggest novel sustainable technologies in laundry products and to evaluate the beneficial effects for regeneration of microdamages, improvement of fabric appearance, colour retention and elasticity during washing cycles. The following sustainable technologies were suggested: enzymes, organic acids in combination with oligosaccharides and amino acids. In the present study, the effects were investigated by modern methods: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), deformation-strength technique, colorimetry and UV-spectroscopy. Transglutaminase as the enzyme in laundry washing gel provided the restoration and splitting of the ends of delicate fabrics up to 85% after several washing cycles. Similar results were observed in cotton fabrics when sucrose, malic acid and an active oxygen releaser were combined in a laundry powder formulation. Furthermore, a novel combination of shikimic acid and L-arginine, when applied in acidic conditions, was found to be capable of significantly repairing protease-damaged wool cuticle and reducing striation. Consequently, natural-based technologies for laundry have the potential to provide deep regeneration of microdamages, enhance colour retention and increase durability of delicate fabrics with minimal environmental impact.