CHEMISTRY

IN THE
LAUNDRY

FABRIC
CONDITIONER
GROUP - 5
Jason Bryan Chua
Jastine F. Saguindang
Simon Solangon
Lexia Cusi
Czarina Matias
Sheila Sotelo

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Also called Fabric softeners
Are liquid composition added to washing
machines during rinse cycles to make
fabric feel softer to the touch.
Developed in the early 1900s and was
introduced commercially in the 1960s

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Comes in three forms:

Liquid

Crystals

Dryer Sheets

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Dominant Manufacturers:

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Basic characteristics of a good fabric conditioner:

Makes fabric feel softer

Removes static cling
Impart a fresh fragrance

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Added characteristics of a good fabric conditioner:

Reduced wrinkle formation during rinse cycle

Superior softness
Improved iron glide
Improved wrinkle removal after washing
Better color retention
Enhanced stain protection
Safe to use
Environmentally friendly
Aesthetically pleasing
Cost effective

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Difference in composition:

Early 1900s

Water
Soap
Olive oil
Corn oil
Tallow oil

Modern

Conditioning agents
Emulsifiers
Artificial colors
Preservatives
Artificial fragrance

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Uses of modern fabric conditioner ingredients:
Conditioning agents makes the fabric softer/removes static
cling
Emulsifiers allows the conditioning agents to be mixed with
water
Artificial colors adds color to the fabric conditioner.
Sometimes varies according to scent
Preservatives ensures product quality for a long time
Artificial fragrance adds scent to the fabric

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Example of conditioning agents:
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

A silicone-based fluid
Has the ability to lubricate
fabric
Improves softening and ease
of ironing
Are modified to be more
substantive to fabric

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Example of conditioning agents:
Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl
ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC) Belongs to a class of materials
known as quaternary ammonium
compounds, or quats.
Part of its molecule has a positive
charge making it effective against
static cling
Other part of its molecule has a
fatty nature which helps in
lubricating fabric

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Three forms of emulsifiers:

Macro emulsions

Micro emulsions

Emulsion polymers

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Difference between the three emulsifiers
Macro emulsions
Micro emulsions
Allows the
conditioning agent
to be mixed with
the water and be
spread throughout
the surface of the
fabric

Since it is smaller
than that of macro
emulsion, it allows
the conditioning
agent to pierce
through the fabric
and spread throughout the whole fabric

Emulsion polymers
Acts like that of
macro emulsion but
instead of mixing
with the water, the
conditioning agent
sticks to the fabric.

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Fabrics that fabric conditioner shouldnt be used on and why:
1. Towels
The conditioning agents in fabric
conditioners and dryer sheets will
cause the fabric of towels to lose
its absorption factor

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Fabrics that fabric conditioner shouldnt be used on and why:
2. Athletic sportswear
Sports wear fabric have wicking
technology in them which absorbs
sweat. The use of fabric
conditioner on them will leave a
coating on the fabric which
prevents it from wicking.

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Fabrics that fabric conditioner shouldnt be used on and why:
3. Microfibers
Microfibers which is mostly
found in mops have the function
of trapping dust and absorbing
spills. Using fabric conditioners
on them will cause their
effectiveness and durability to
weaken

FABRIC CONDITIONER
Fabrics that fabric conditioner shouldnt be used on and why:
3. Flame retardant fabric
To ensure the safety of children
while sleeping, most childrens
sleep wears are made of flame
retardant fabric. But the use of
fabric conditioner on them will
make them flammable.