Search

More than half of the population in impoverished areas around the world, which lack sufficient energy and water, do not have washing machines. Due to a lack of resources and economic reasons, the mechanical task of modern washing machines requiring electrical energy can only be done through hand washing. Additionally, water fetching and laundry work are predominately assigned to women due to socio‐cultural dynamics in disadvantaged areas. The repetitive motions involved in washing over extended periods of time, coupled with awkward body positions, often lead to musculoskeletal disorders in women. This study aims to improve women's work safety and living conditions through a product design for laundry washing. First, the ergonomic risk associated with women's body postures while washing clothes on the floor was evaluated to better understand the impact of the intervention and rapid upper extremity assessment (RULA) method was used for this purpose. Subsequently, the design process for a manual washing product, which operates without electricity, can handle bulk laundry and facilitates easier and more ergonomic work instead of directly scrubbing clothes, was initiated as a remedial intervention. Recognizing that laundry work is a multidimensional experience in women's lives beyond its ergonomic aspects, a holistic design methodology was adopted, incorporating various design approaches to create concepts that better integrate with the lives of woman users. Insights gained from these design approaches were then combined with the conceptual design method to generate design proposals. At the end of the study, the developed manual washing machine design performed improved RULA analysis scores and biomechanical loading outcomes compared to hand washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the efficiency of processing liquid waste from the laundry industry using the Free Water Surface Constructed Wetland (FWS) system with Azolla microphylla plants. The research method used is experimental research by manipulating independent variables and controlling other relevant variables, as well as observing the effect on the dependent variable. Laundry waste samples were taken from Berkah Laundry, Puri Gading, Bekasi. The results showed that the biomass of Azolla microphylla plants increased significantly from day 0 to day 12, with a growth rate between 0.0289 - 0.0477 grams/day and plant density between 185.19 ind/m2 - 277.78 ind/m2. The influent BOD concentration of laundry liquid waste during the acclimatization stage ranged from 5.89 - 10.54 mg/L, while the effluent BOD ranged from 4.35 - 6.98 mg/L, with the highest efficiency reaching 33.8%. The constructed wetland system with Azolla microphylla plants has proven to be effective in reducing pollutant content in liquid waste, with a BOD removal efficiency of 11.1% - 17.7% and COD of 14.5% - 39%. The conclusion of this research is that the use of artificial wetlands with Azolla microphylla plants can be an effective and environmentally friendly alternative solution for processing liquid waste from the laundry industry. The implications of this research show the potential for applying constructed wetland technology in the clothes washing industry to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is conduct with the object to observe whether that lean, agile, resilience, green, and sustainable can be applied into a laundry supply of supply chain management. Literature review are reviewed to build a foundation regarding SCM to achieve the objectives. Model of lean, agile, resilience, green, and sustainable are built on the theoretical review of literature. The novelty of this research is to classify scheme of a laundry supply chain paradigm in SCM was developed. The result indicates that lean, agile, resilience, green, and sustainable have a important role to achieve successful performance, and customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fountains and laundries, which are a common area of public use, provide important data about the social and cultural life of the period, in addition to being cultural assets that meet needs such as water supply and washing. Jul. These buildings, which appear as a reflection of the importance given to cleanliness in our culture to architecture, attract attention with their aesthetic, social and cultural values in addition to their functional requirements. In this study, it is aimed to introduce and evaluate the architectural features, decorative features, materials and techniques of the fountain and laundry in Zopran in detail and to reveal its place in the history of Turkish art. The laundry room with a rectangular plan extending in the east-west direction is covered with a hipped roof with wooden construction. The fountain in the order adjacent to the laundry room has two facades, a dependent, a warehouse and a pointed arch. The fountain is remarkable in terms of its stone decorations located in the arch Aprils rather than its architectural structure. There are herbal decorations, flowers coming out of a vase, symbolic objects and bird depictions in the arch niches Apr. The fountain and laundry of Zopran village are important as a cultural asset worth preserving in terms of its architectural structure, decorative features, reflecting the style of the period and carrying it to the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Textile Industry / Tekstilna Industrija is the property of Union of Textile Engineers & Technicians of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research aims to develop a standardised protocol for monitoring the disinfection efficacy of healthcare laundry processes in view of numerous differential methodologies currently being employed within the healthcare laundry sector, including agitation and surface sampling for post-laundering decontamination assessment and swatch and bioindicator testing for in-wash-process efficacy. Enterococcus faecium as an indicator species within industrial wash systems is preferable due to its high thermal and disinfectant tolerance. Methods for measuring laundry disinfection were compared; commercially available E. faecium bioindicators and contaminated cotton swatches (loose, in cloth bags or within nylon membranes) were laundered industrially at ambient temperature and microbial recovery determined. E. faecium was lost from cotton during laundering but retained by the bioindicator membrane, which allows disinfection efficacy to be measured without loss of microorganisms from the test swatch. Commercially available bioindicators were only permeable to disinfectants and detergents at ≥60 °C. Subsequently, polyethersulphone membranes for enclosing contaminated swatches were developed for low-temperature laundering, with permeability to industrial laundry chemistries at below ≤60 °C. This study demonstrates that bioindicators are the recommended methodology for laundry disinfection validation. The use of a universal healthcare laundry disinfection methodology will lead to standardised microbiological testing across the industry and improvements in infection control.

This research aims to develop a standardised protocol for monitoring the disinfection efficacy of healthcare laundry processes in view of numerous differential methodologies currently being employed within the healthcare laundry sector, including agitation and surface sampling for post-laundering decontamination assessment and swatch and bioindicator testing for in-wash-process efficacy. Enterococcus faecium as an indicator species within industrial wash systems is preferable due to its high thermal and disinfectant tolerance. Methods for measuring laundry disinfection were compared; commercially available E. faecium bioindicators and contaminated cotton swatches (loose, in cloth bags or within nylon membranes) were laundered industrially at ambient temperature and microbial recovery determined. E. faecium was lost from cotton during laundering but retained by the bioindicator membrane, which allows disinfection efficacy to be measured without loss of microorganisms from the test swatch. Commercially available bioindicators were only permeable to disinfectants and detergents at ≥60 °C. Subsequently, polyethersulphone membranes for enclosing contaminated swatches were developed for low-temperature laundering, with permeability to industrial laundry chemistries at below ≤60 °C. This study demonstrates that bioindicators are the recommended methodology for laundry disinfection validation. The use of a universal healthcare laundry disinfection methodology will lead to standardised microbiological testing across the industry and improvements in infection control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of washing machines to wash textiles gradually breaks down synthetic fibers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PES) in diverse clothing materials, a process that is growing in notoriety because it generates microplastics (MPs). In this study, we investigated the emission of microfibers, including both microplastic fibers (MPFs) and natural fibers (MFs), from top-loading washing machines. Our investigation focused on four popular textiles with prevalent weave structures (plain, satin, and twill): (i) PES, (ii) tetron cotton (TC), (iii) chief value cotton (CVC), and (iv) cotton (CO) fabrics. This study also examined the effects of textile weight and detergent dosage on MF emissions. After washing, MFs were collected through filtration, and their concentrations were determined using micro-Fourier Transform Interferometry (μFTIR). The results showed varying concentrations of MFs in the washing effluent depending on the type of textile. Specifically, CVC exhibited the highest emission at 4022 particles/L, followed by TC, PES, and CO at 2844 particles/L, 2382 particles/L, and 2279 particles/L, respectively. The hydrophobic nature of PES makes this type of textile prone to rapid degradation in detergent-rich environments, leading to high MF emissions. Additionally, the mechanical properties of textiles, such as tensile and bending strengths, may play a crucial role in the generation of MFs in washing machines. Textiles made of CO with twill weaves demonstrated superior strength and correlated with lower emissions of MFs. In comparison, textiles made of CVC and satin weave exhibited lower mechanical properties, which could explain their high emissions of MFs. Finally, the MF emissions of textiles composed of PES and TC, which are plain weaved, could be attributed to their intermediate mechanical properties compared with those of CVC and CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In regions like Southeast Asia, Dhobi Ghats—traditional open-air laundromats—hold cultural significance and provide livelihoods to many people. These centers are near the riverbanks for easy access to water for washing. These Dhobi Ghats are among major sources of microfibers (MFs) in the waterbodies. However, there is no ample data that confirms their level of MF release into the waterbodies. This study reports for the first time the prevalence of microfibers (MFs) in wastewater from Dhobi Ghats in a North Indian city and comparatively assess them with the MF pollution from commercial laundries. A mean microfiber concentration of 3204 ± 270 MFs/L was observed in the discharged effluents of Dhobi Ghats, while a concentration at 36,923 ± 389 MFs/L was observed in effluents from commercial laundries. Pertinently, microfibers measuring less than 75 µm dominated in effluents of commercial laundries, accounting for 53% of the total. Conversely, microfibers within the 75–150-µm range were present in effluents of Dhobi Ghats, constituting 52%. Spectroscopic analyses by FTIR showed polyester and polyamides as the main polymers released from Dhobi Ghats. Ecological risk assessment demonstrated a potential environmental risk from the MF pollution from Dhobi Ghats and commercial laundries. The study also proposed a mitigation framework prioritizing both environmental protection and the sustenance of local livelihoods for reducing the microfiber pollution by the Dhobi Ghats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Edgar Degas's exploration of laundresses as a motif in his artwork, specifically examining the technical aspects of ironing movements and their socio-cultural implications. Topics include Degas's interest in motion, the overlooked series of laundresses in his oeuvre, and the intersection of techniques, tools, and materials in portraying the labor milieu of late nineteenth-century France. The analysis delves into Degas's representations of ironers.

KMK No. 129/Menkes/II/2008 concerning SPM Hospitals determines the indicators for laundry services in hospitals, namely the absence of incidents of lost linen and the timely provision of linen for inpatient rooms. At R. Syamsudin Regional Hospital, SH, the incidence of lost linen is still 7%, and the supply of inpatient room linen is often hampered. The research objective is to describe the implementation of the SPM laundry policy based on communication factors, resources, disposition and bureaucratic structure. This type of qualitative research with research results on the implementation of SPM laundry policies has not been effective, the policy is not yet known to implementers, human resources and equipment facilities are not optimal, the attitude of implementers is lacking but laundry implementers show high motivation in managing linen, SOPs are not appropriate, and supervision of linen in the wardroom accommodation is still lacking. It is necessary to communicate KMK policy no. 129/2008, ensuring that outsourced personnel and equipment repairs are prioritized. Excess working hours are given incentives according to applicable regulations, SOPs are made according to needs and the need for coordination with the inpatient room for monitoring linen in the room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The washing machine is the prevalent white household equipment in contemporary society. These machines provide consumers with a range of program options that encompass several variables, including temperature and detergent type. Nevertheless, the selection made by individual customers about the washing machine program they opt for carries substantial environmental consequences during the use stage of textile products. According to studies on the life cycle of clothes, it has been established that the use stage, following the extraction of raw materials, exerts the most substantial influence on environmental impacts. The objective of this research is to assess the washing machine programs provided by the manufacturer through the application of a comprehensive systematic approach for analysis. The evaluation of scenarios for washing machine programs was conducted using the MOORA-Ratio multi-criteria decision-making process. This evaluation considered various parameters, including environmental impact and cost. The life cycle assessment methodology was employed to quantify the environmental impact of the specified criteria. Based on the comprehensive study conducted by integrating criteria across numerous dimensions, it has been determined that the most favorable scenario wass scenario 1, which was developed for the Cotton 20 C program. The primary objective of this research endeavor is to fill a significant need in the current body of literature by undertaking a comprehensive review of washing machine programs that have not been previously recorded. This study employs a comprehensive methodology to investigate the environmental and economic implications linked to these activities, with the objective of delivering significant insights to producers and users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To our knowledge, precise data concerning the pollution in terms of qualitative and quantitative fluctuations in discharge water from the laundry sector have seldom been reported. This study investigated the chemical composition of the discharge water from a laundry industry. Over 160 chemical substances and 15 standard water parameters were monitored. The results showed that the discharge water presented both inorganic and organic polycontamination with a high degree of qualitative and quantitative variability. However, of all monitored substances, only five metals (Al, Cu, Fe, Sr, and Zn), five minerals (P, Ca, K, Na, and S), and alkylphenols were systematically present and quantifiable. For a daily average water flow of 129 m3, the released metal flux was 356 g/d. Substances, such as trichloromethane, brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) 47, and fluorides, were occasionally found and quantified. Other substances, such as chlorophenols, organo-tins, and pesticides were never identified. All the samples had quantifiable levels in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and hydrocarbons. Only the concentrations of Zn (8.3 g/d), Cu (21.4 g/d), and BOD (57.4 g/d) were close to or above the regulatory values: 74.0 g/d for Zn, 9.0 g/d for Cu, and 57.0 kg/d for BOD. The data obtained from this study are useful to the choice of additional treatments for the reduction of pollutant fluxes.

This research was focused on the properties of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) blended with pregelatinized starch (PSt) as a suitable material to make laundry bags for infected clothes application. PVOH and PSt (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt.%) with glycerol 20 phr were melt-blended by twin-screw extruders. The samples were processed into the film by single layer-blown film extrusion. From the results, it was found that PVOH, glycerol, and pregelatinized starch had intermolecular interactions with each other, forming hydrogen bonding interactions between PVOH/pregelatinized starch and glycerol. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of a blend was shifted to a higher temperature by increasing the pregelatinized starch content leading to a reduction in the percent crystallinity. The presence of pregelatinized starch slightly increased the melt flow rate (MFI)/melt volume rate (MVR), apparent viscosity, and viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) of the blends due to the chain entanglement but it decreased the water solubility time and the moisture content. A co-continuous phase with small coalescence was found when 30% pregelatinized starch was added, increasing the elongation at break to 171%. On the other hand, the pregelatinized starch content was 40%, the elongation at break reduced to 154%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Formaldehyde is a common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in water. It can be found in personal care products and household cleaning products, including laundry detergents. Formaldehyde has frequently been recognised as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis, but whether it remains present in textiles washed with formaldehyde‐containing laundry detergents is unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to utilise the chromotropic acid method (CAM) to assess formaldehyde release from textiles washed with a laundry detergent known to contain formaldehyde. Materials and Methods: Textiles were laundered with a detergent containing calcium formate at four concentrations (0×, 0.5×, 1× and 5× the recommended amount per manufacturer label) and kept wet or allowed to dry. Select textiles were subjected to an additional rinse cycle. Textiles were then tested utilising the CAM. A sample of the pure laundry detergent was also tested using the CAM. Results: The CAM was positive only for wet textiles washed at 5× the recommended concentration of detergent and pure detergent. All dry textiles were negative. Conclusions: Formaldehyde release was not detected from any textiles washed following the manufacturer's recommendations. Once dry, it is likely safe for formaldehyde‐allergic patients to wear textiles washed with formaldehyde‐containing detergents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuously improved energy efficiency and reduced water usage of domestic laundry appliances has improved the environmental footprint of washing considerably. But the sustainability-driven shift towards lower washing temperatures, and the increasing use of bleach-free detergents, may unfortunately negatively impact laundry freshness and hygiene. This calls for new innovation for the sustainable detergents of tomorrow. Here we show that with the use of a nature-based dispersin enzyme technology, deep-cleaning and malodor prevention is possible, on textiles and in the washing machine, even at low temperature washing with liquid and single-dose detergents. This shows that it is possible to formulate detergents that can enable the consumers to wash their clothes sustainably without compromising washing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a serious problem that can affect the health and productivity of laundry workers. Workers who experience such disorders may experience pain, muscle stiffness, joint inflammation, and even serious injury. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among laundry workers in North Sulawesi. Methods: This study is a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted in March 2023 – April 2023 in Minahasa District North Sulawesi Province, specifically Tondano-Tomohon City. A total sample of 225 laundry workers was taken using the convenient sampling technique. The questionnaire used to assess WMSDs was the Nordic Body Map. The chi-square test was applied to find the association between age and musculoskeletal disorders among laundry workers. Results: Complaints felt in all parts of the worker's body 5.38% were very painful, 17.81% were painful, 36.39% were rather painful, and 39.67% were not painful. The body part that experienced the most complaints of severe pain was back at 10.2%, feeling pain was the waist at 37.3%, feeling pain was the right arm at 47.1%, and no pain was the left elbow at 71.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the study population was significantly associated with age, sex, nutritional status, and work experience with musculoskeletal complaints (p0.05). Therefore, appropriate interventions need to be made to improve working conditions, protect workers' health, and minimize the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the laundry industry.

The washing of synthetic materials has been named as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution to our oceans. With the consumption of petrochemical-based synthetic materials expected to grow, due to an increased demand, the release of microplastic fibres to our environments is expected to also accelerate. To combat microplastic fibre release, this study explores source-directed interventions within the design and manufacturing process of textiles to reduce the amount of pollution released from the surface and the edges of the fabric structure. Using standardised wash tests and polyester fabric swatches that were created in-house with systematic structural adjustments, single jersey knit fabrics were shown to release over three times more microplastic pollution than twill woven fabric. This illustrates that increasing the tightness of a fabric could be implemented within the design of fabrics for environmental benefits. Additionally, the laser cutting technique reduced microplastic fibres released by over a third compared to scissor cutting and overlock serging, showing that the edge of the fabric is a significant source of microplastic pollution released during laundering. This research highlights the adaptable and innovative eco-design approaches to clothing production which is necessary to help the sector reach international sustainability targets and regulations.

Domestic laundry wastewater discharge contributes significantly to the presence of microfiber and surfactant pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, which have detrimental and toxic effects on humans and the environment. Investigating the efficacy of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in removing micro-/nanofibers with or without surfactant from household laundry effluent is the purpose of the current research. To simulate real-world scenarios, PAC adsorption kinetics and isotherms in laundry effluents under controlled conditions were studied. These studies showed that the kinetics obeyed a pseudo-second-order process and the isotherms varied between Langmuir and Freundlich models depending on the water types. In the results of experiments using distilled water and tap water, it was observed that the adsorption capacity was higher in tap water. When the adsorption of 0.1 μm filtered synthetic garments, detergent, and tap water was compared with the adsorption of the raw sample, it was observed that the adsorption capacity of the 0.1 μm filtered version was higher. Even though this study is preliminary, the results indicate that PAC has the capacity to serve as a viable approach for mitigating micro-/nanoplastic and surfactant contamination from laundry wastewater, thereby offering valuable guidance for advancing eco-friendly laundry techniques. HIGHLIGHTS The adsorption capacity of PAC is higher for nanofibers than microfibers.; Surfactants and microfibers can be removed with low dosages of PAC.; With PAC adsorption, more than 60% of TOC and ANS removal was obtained in the first 30 min.; The ions in the tap water play a role in increasing the adsorption capacity.;

A different laundry business service exists in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta and its surroundings. This business plan offers a special premium laundry service for 4 and 5-star hotels. PT. Luxury Indah Jaya (Luxury Laundry) as a provider of premium laundry services for 4 and 5-star hotels focuses on B2B but still pays attention to the needs of the end user. This marketing plan will be formulated and explained regarding marketing goals and objectives, STP marketing strategy, marketing mix with the NICE approach, sales activities, and calculation of income streams and Investment Feasibility Analysis. This research was conducted using qualitative methods aimed at determining the feasibility of a premium-class laundry business marketing plan specifically for 4 & 5-star hotels. With good marketing planning, companies can conduct in-depth analysis and evaluation of new business opportunities or investment projects. This is certainly very helpful in assessing investment feasibility, market growth potential, income potential, and associated risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many environmental assessments of consumer products and household services rely on self-reported data. Life cycle assessments of domestic laundering are no exception. However, potential discrepancies between self-reported behaviour and actual everyday decisions are seldom investigated due to practical challenges in collecting relevant data. This means that environmental impacts relying on such self-reported data are much more uncertain than previously acknowledged. Method: Laundering data was collected at the Chalmers' HSB Living lab (CHSBLL), a combined multi-family house and research facility in Gothenburg. The collection was both done passively (through the washing machines) as well as actively (through surveys to the tenants). RFID-readers were also installed in the machines and a number of clothing items tagged, allowing for identification. The site-specific data was later supplemented with a large statistical representative study for domestic laundering of Swedish households. This unique data quality allowed the comparison of passively collected data with survey data from tenants in a real-life setup, while validating the results from a national perspective. Result and conclusions: The results suggest that consumers have trouble remembering personal choices regarding domestic laundering, meaning that self-reported data are more uncertain than previously thought. In general, the participants overestimated the amount of laundry they washed and underestimated their frequency of washing. Additionally, many participants showed an interest in changing to alternative wash programs although this change failed to materialize when they were presented with this option in real-life. The findings have potential consequences for environmental assessments and implicate those previous estimations underestimate emissions per kg laundry washed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a novel number balance approach for evaluating the affinity of microcapsules for a target substrate (e.g., cotton and polyester fabric). Using single particle optical sizing (SPOS) technique, the affinity of polyurea and silica microcapsules was studied by quantifying the capsules present in the dispersions before and after exposure to the fabric. Silica and polyurea microcapsules with encapsulated silicone oil were successfully synthesized and used as model capsules for affinity studies. Accuracy and reproducibility of the data generated from the SPOS were evaluated by relative standard deviation. Results of the affinity experiments revealed that, under the test conditions, not more than one-third of the capsules was deposited on the fabrics with silica capsules showing the highest affinity of 34.4% towards the polyester fabric. The observed affinity trends were explained by surface charge and the structural pattern of the fabrics, with capsules having a greater affinity for oppositely charged fabrics. We also found that the polyester fabric, which inherently contains bigger pores and higher exposed surface area, deposited more capsules than the cotton fabric. We demonstrated that while the microscopic techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, can only confirm the deposition of capsules on the fabrics, alternative techniques such as SPOS provides an accurate measure of number of capsules, thereby determining the surface affinity of the capsules for the fabric.

There are approximately 1.2 million firefighters in the United States. In addition to fighting fires, they also participate in various tasks including emergency rescues, providing emergency medical care, driving, operating and maintaining fire vehicles and other apparatuses and continued training. During the course of their duties, firefighters are often exposed to carcinogenic chemicals that may accumulate on their turnout clothing. To determine if these chemicals can be removed and to measure the efficacy of current cleaning protocols, a study was developed to assess these protocols which call for a maximum water temperature of 105°F and no solvents. The results showed that volatile and small semi-volatile chemicals such as dimethyl phthalate and chlorinated phenols had cleaning efficiencies of 85% or greater. However, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the cleaning efficiency was only 20% to 50%. To determine if it is possible to remove the more persistent PAHs, temperatures were increased to 125°F and 140°F, and a respective increase in cleaning efficiencies of the PAHs was seen. The protocols were then adapted to add a pre-soak cycle which, when combined with the increased temperatures, resulted in an increase of the PAH cleaning efficiency range from 50 to 80%, compound dependent. This work provides a starting point for discussions between the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other standards organization and manufacturers to determine if increased temperatures and chemical soaks would be detrimental to gear as they are currently not advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the environmental impact of traditional laundry detergents that use synthetic surfactants derived from the petrochemical industry. Topics discussed include the growing demand for sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable biosurfactants and enzyme-only products, which aim to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The use of washing machines to wash textiles gradually breaks down synthetic fibers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PES) in diverse clothing materials, a process that is growing in notoriety because it generates microplastics (MPs). In this study, we investigated the emission of microfibers, including both microplastic fibers (MPFs) and natural fibers (MFs), from top-loading washing machines. Our investigation focused on four popular textiles with prevalent weave structures (plain, satin, and twill): (i) PES, (ii) tetron cotton (TC), (iii) chief value cotton (CVC), and (iv) cotton (CO) fabrics. This study also examined the effects of textile weight and detergent dosage on MF emissions. After washing, MFs were collected through filtration, and their concentrations were determined using micro-Fourier Transform Interferometry (μFTIR). The results showed varying concentrations of MFs in the washing effluent depending on the type of textile. Specifically, CVC exhibited the highest emission at 4022 particles/L, followed by TC, PES, and CO at 2844 particles/L, 2382 particles/L, and 2279 particles/L, respectively. The hydrophobic nature of PES makes this type of textile prone to rapid degradation in detergent-rich environments, leading to high MF emissions. Additionally, the mechanical properties of textiles, such as tensile and bending strengths, may play a crucial role in the generation of MFs in washing machines. Textiles made of CO with twill weaves demonstrated superior strength and correlated with lower emissions of MFs. In comparison, textiles made of CVC and satin weave exhibited lower mechanical properties, which could explain their high emissions of MFs. Finally, the MF emissions of textiles composed of PES and TC, which are plain weaved, could be attributed to their intermediate mechanical properties compared with those of CVC and CO.

The authors propose an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) based E-commerce business model Cloud Laundry for mass scale laundry services. The model utilises big data analytics, intelligent logistics management, and machine learning techniques. Using GPS and real-time update of big data, it calculates the best transportation path and update and re-route the logistic terminals quickly and simultaneously. Cloud laundry intelligently and dynamically provides the best laundry solutions based on the current state spaces of the laundry terminals through the user's specifications and thus offers local hotel customers with convenient, efficient, and transparent laundry services. Taking advantage of the rapid development of the big data industry, user interest modelling, and information security and privacy considerations, cloud laundry uses smartphone terminal control and big data models to maintain customers' security needs. Different from the traditional laundry industry, cloud laundry companies have higher capital turnover, more liquidity, and stronger profitability. Therefore, this new generation of smart laundry business model could be of interest to not only academic researchers, but E-commerce entrepreneurs as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, small household devices have appeared on the market for ultrasonic cleaning of textiles. In this study, the focus is on devices that can be immersed in a water tub for cleaning textiles by ultrasonics. These new devices were tested to see if they presented an opportunity to save electrical energy. Cleanliness levels were judged by comparison to conventional programs in household washing machines. The two devices tested demonstrated a higher effect than soaking without ultrasonics but a lower effect than any wash program. To get a better overview of what ultrasonics were capable of, additional experiments were conducted, i.e., in an ultrasonic bath for cleaning metal parts. It had a higher ultrasonic intensity and showed that there was still potential to get a higher cleaning effect for textiles at a low energy consumption level. It is concluded that, as far as household washing is concerned, ultrasonic treatments provide opportunities for the reduction of energy demand in low-temperature washing programs with a small textile load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Cografya Fakültesi Dergisi DTCF Dergisi is the property of Ankara Universitesi Dil ve Tarih-Cografya Fakultesi (DTCF Dergisi) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Modern life and contemporary materials have brought ubiquitous microplastic particles into our surroundings. Many researchers have focused their research towards investigating sources, pathways, toxic effects and mitigation possibilities of microplastic pollution. One of the most abundant types of microplastics is microplastic fibers, mainly released from synthetic clothes. This study investigates the possibility of identifying microplastic fibers released from textiles during the laundry washing cycle by Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Microplastic fibers released from some types of synthetic clothes during the laundry washing cycle at 40°C were collected and analyzed. Thanks to FTIR spectroscopy, it has been proven that a certain amount of microplastics is separated every time synthetics are washed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic litter is on the rise where plastic waste ends up in undesignated areas such as the coastal shorelines, where the plastic is exposed to environmental conditions. As a result, the degradation and decomposition of plastics occur, leading to the formation of smaller fragments of plastics, termed microplastics. Microplastics have recently been considered as an emerging class of contaminants due to their ecotoxicological impact on the aquatic environment as well as soil matrix. Microplastics are of a size less than 5 mm and are produced from either a primary source (such as plastic pellets, and beads in makeup products) or a secondary source (such as the wear and tear of normal-use plastics and washing of clothes and textiles). Microplastic pollution is spread across the hydrosphere, pedosphere, and atmosphere, and these environmental zones are being studied for microplastic accumulation individually. However, there exists a source–sink dynamic between these environmental compartments. This study reviews the available literature on microplastic research and discusses the current state of research on the fate and transport of microplastic in the hydrosphere, pedosphere, and atmosphere, explores the ecotoxicological impact of microplastics on aquatic and soil communities, and provides prospective future research directions and plastic waste management strategies to control microplastic pollution. While the fate of microplastics in the hydrosphere is well-documented and researched, studies on understanding the transport mechanism of microplastics in the pedosphere and atmosphere remain poorly understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli are well tolerant of freezing. This study was to investigate survival of the foodborne pathogens during storage at −18 ± 2°C for 12 weeks on blueberries after washing with: 500 ppm acetic acid plus 5,000 ppm sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (AA/SDS), 20 ppm peroxyacetic acid plus 5,000 ppm SDS (PPA/SDS), or 200 ppm hydrogen peroxide plus 5,000 ppm SDS (H2O2/SDS), when compared with findings from no wash, or wash with water, 80 ppm PPA or 200 ppm chlorinated water. Following a 60 s contact with one of the three new solutions, the treatments showed 3.3–3.9 log10 CFU/g reductions in Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 counts. After 2 weeks of frozen storage, 3.9–4.2 log10 CFU/g reductions of Salmonella and E. coli were observed. After 12 weeks of frozen storage, Salmonella and E. coli survivors were below detection limits (0.39 log10 CFU/g) in berries washed with new solutions. The frozen storage had a significant impact (p <.05) on microbial counts of both treated and nontreated blueberries. Although none of these washings decreased the total phenolic and anthocyanins contents and apparent quality at time 0, frozen storage caused significant damage on the texture of both treated and nontreated blueberries. Interestingly, no significant decrease in the total phenolic, anthocyanins content, and apparent quality was observed during the 12‐week frozen storage. The counts of total bacteria, yeasts, and molds decreased throughout storage for treated and untreated berries. This demonstrates that the three wash solutions enhance the safety of frozen berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]