ABSTRACT
Fabric-softening agents or fabric softeners are compounds used to improve fabric feel or handling. Softeners lubricate fabrics and prevent direct contact between fi bers. This reduces bending and shear resistance, improving the feel and drapability of the fabrics. Softeners impart fl uffi ness and a fresh and pleasant smell to the laundry after washing. The bulking effect is induced by softeners probably due to two reasons: prevention of direct contact between the fi bers by the adsorbed lubricating softener and by electrostatic repulsion among the adsorbed cationic head groups of the softener. Fabric softening agents possess useful antistatic properties. Untreated garments, in particular synthetic and cotton synthetic fi ber blends, develop static charge during machine drying or when worn in dry conditions. The charges impair the comfort of handling and wearing clothes. Softeners, by reducing frictional force and by their possession of positive charge, tend to eliminate charges on the surface of the fi bers.
