Review of washing-induced fabric damage: mechanisms, process elements, evaluation methods, and microfiber release

Washing plays a critical role in maintaining hygiene, removing soils, and preserving the appearance of textile products during their use phase. However, washing repeatedly exposes fabrics to coupled mechanical, thermal, hydrodynamic, and chemical stresses, leading to progressive fabric damage over repeated cycles. This study systematically reviews the effects of washing processes on fabric properties, with particular emphasis on washing-induced fabric damage. The study analyzes key process elements governing washing-induced changes, including mechanical action, thermal stress, hydrodynamic forces, chemical action, load size, and fabric movement, and discusses how their interactions generate and transmit stresses that drive cumulative changes in fabric properties. Washing-induced changes are categorized across multiple domains, including surface and structural changes, color and optical changes, and sensory and comfort-related changes. In addition, the framework is extended to include washing-induced microfiber release, highlighting its role as a direct material loss from fabrics and its environmental impacts. This study also reviews the limitations of conventional evaluation methods and discusses emerging automated approaches, such as image-based analysis, sensor-based measurements, and data-driven techniques, as promising tools for improving the objectivity and reproducibility of fabric damage assessment. Overall, this study provides an integrated framework for understanding washing-induced fabric damage and microfiber release, and highlights directions for the development of washing systems that balance washing performance, fabric durability, appearance retention, and environmental sustainability.