Laundering-induced alterations in color and whiteness of cotton-based fabrics: A comparative analysis of powder and liquid detergents

Maintaining the intrinsic chromatic integrity of dyed textiles is paramount for optimizing product lifecycle value, enhancing consumer perception, and advancing sustainable material stewardship. This study presents a rigorous quantitative analysis of colorfastness degradation in representative light and dark dyed cotton and cotton/polyester blend fabrics subjected to 25 cycles of accelerated laundering using leading commercial powder and liquid detergent systems. Comprehensive spectrophotometric and colorimetric characterization, including CIELab coordinates, K/S values, and total color difference (DE*), reveals significant performance differentials. Data demonstrate that powder detergent formulations, often incorporating potent oxidative chemicals, induce substantial dye degradation and accelerated chromatic shift across test substrates. Conversely, liquid detergent variants, typically engineered without aggressive bleaching components, exhibit superior color preservation capabilities, yielding statistically significant lower DE* values. These findings underscore a critical design challenge at the intersection of cleaning efficacy and material durability - a direct trade-off between chemical intensity and sustained aesthetic quality. The insights derived from this investigation are crucial for the strategic development of next-generation, high-performance, and eco-optimized laundering technologies that deliver enhanced fabric care, extend product aesthetic life, and enable differentiated market positioning aligned with increasingly discerning, sustainability-aware consumer demands.