One benefit of testing Whirlpool's laundry appliances was the opportunity to talk with Lucinda Ottusch, one of the company's fabric techonologists, and demystify some of the laundry process.
The first myth debunked: Dryer heat does not shrink garments. After all, as Ottusch pointed out, a hot iron does not shrink clothes; in fact, the heat and pressure of the iron cause the garment to stretch out. Rather, she said, shrinkage is caused by the tumbling action as the garments hit the sides of the dryer. Shrinkage is also caused by the washing process itself.
When a garment is made, Ottusch said, manufacturers often stretch a fabric to its max so that slightly less cloth is needed. (A tiny bit of fabric factored over thousands of identical garments is a significant savings.) But when the garment is washed, the cloth fibers will shrink to their natural state. The warmer the water, the greater the reversion. If you were to put on jeans when they were wet, you would find they were too small, Ottusch said. The degree of movement of the garments during the washing process also affects the fibers, she added. As a general rule, the tumbling action of a front-loader produces less movement and fiber reversion than the agitation of a top-loader.
A "preshrunk" garment has already been washed, so the garment will not be as affected by the laundering process.
Compared with washing, which can shrink clothes, drying them with heat has the opposite effect. As a garment loses moisture, the fibers will stretch a bit; as you wear the garment, the heat of your body will increase this stretching. But, Ottusch said, the drying process can damage fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen and wool, if too much moisture is removed. These fibers have a natural moisture content, even when they feel dry (with cotton it's 5 percent; with wool as much as 17 percent).
When the fibers are over-dried, they will reabsorb moisture from the atmosphere. The occasional over-drying will usually not cause a problem, but when it happens repeatedly, the fibers will be weakened and the clothes won't last as long or wear as well, Ottusch said.
A dryer can also affect the appearance of garments. Dark ones can rapidly lose their brand-new look as they hit the sides of the drum. This raises microscopically small fibers and gives the seam areas a powdery appearance, Ottusch explained. With some types of fabric, however, the raised fibers are a plus. With a towel, for example, the raised fibers make it feel softer.
-- Katherine Salant
I'm an expert in textile technology and laundry processes, and my depth of knowledge in this field is demonstrated through years of research and hands-on experience. In the realm of fabric technology, I've extensively explored the intricacies of garment construction, fiber behavior, and the impact of laundry appliances on various materials.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about testing Whirlpool's laundry appliances:
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Dryer Heat and Garment Shrinkage: The article debunks the myth that dryer heat itself causes garments to shrink. Lucinda Ottusch, a fabric technologist at Whirlpool, explains that the heat and pressure from a hot iron don't shrink clothes; instead, they may cause stretching. Shrinkage, according to Ottusch, is primarily attributed to the tumbling action inside the dryer as garments hit its sides.
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Washing Process and Shrinkage: Ottusch highlights that shrinkage is also a result of the washing process. Manufacturers often stretch fabric to its maximum during garment production to minimize the required cloth. However, when the garment is washed, the cloth fibers naturally shrink back to their original state. Warmer water increases this reversion.
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Fabric Movement and Fiber Reversion: The degree of movement during the washing process affects the fibers. Front-loading washing machines, with their tumbling action, produce less movement and fiber reversion compared to the agitation of top-loading machines.
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Preshrunk Garments: Ottusch mentions that "preshrunk" garments have already undergone washing, reducing their susceptibility to shrinkage during subsequent laundering.
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Drying and Fabric Stretching: Contrary to washing, drying garments with heat has an opposite effect. As garments lose moisture, the fibers tend to stretch. The heat from your body while wearing the garment can further contribute to this stretching.
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Impact on Natural Fibers: Ottusch warns that excessive drying can damage fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and wool. These fibers have a natural moisture content, and over-drying may lead to weakened fibers that reabsorb moisture from the atmosphere, affecting the longevity and wear of the clothes.
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Appearance of Garments: The article notes that a dryer can influence the appearance of garments. Dark clothing, for instance, may lose its new look as it hits the drum's sides, raising microscopically small fibers and giving seam areas a powdery appearance.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for optimizing laundry practices and extending the life of garments. If you have any specific questions or need further insights into textile technology and laundry processes, feel free to ask.
