Influence of magnetic water treatment on fabrics' characteristics

• A magnetic device for scale prevention in a laundering machine was tested.
• The mineral fouling on the textile was modified.
• The whiteness of cotton was increased.

A system of permanent magnets, similar to those used for scale prevention during water processing, was tested as an alternative to induce some improvements during the textile laundering procedure. In this comparative study, four sets of 25 runs of standard laundering were performed on white cotton under repeatable conditions: a set washed only with tap water, then with added standard IEC detergent, a set with magnetically treated water without the detergent, and then a set in a combination of both. Samples were analyzed on texture morphology by scanning electron microscopy, mineral fouling by X-ray diffractometry, and fabric characteristics, as prescribed by the standard procedure for the laundering effects' evaluation, i.e. dimensional change, breaking-strength, incineration residue, and color characteristics. It was indicated that magnetic water treatment modified the detergency and the mineral fouling, resulting in increased whiteness of cotton. It also slightly increased the reduction in the breaking strength, but this was still inside the standard quality requirements.