The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the shrinkage of wool knitted fabrics undergone a commercial laundering. The experiments have been carried out by using a commercial laundery washer under conditions based on an actual operation.
The main results obtained are summarized as follows:
1) Factors affecting the shrinkage are:
a) kind of wool, i.e., with/without shrink-proofing treatment, b) rotating speed of a washer, c) volume of water (bath ratio), d) drying temperature, and e) drying time.
2) Recommended laundering conditions are:
a) lower rotating speed of a washer, b) higher bath ratio, c) higher drying temperature, and d) shorter drying time in a tumbler.
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