| ne hundred men's white dress shirts were purchased for experimental testing in order to evaluate the energy cost requirements for the four fabric types represented, 100 percent cotton, 60/40 cotton-polyester, 65/35 polyester-cotton and 100 percent polyester. Each shirt was worn and laundered 25 times. Two wash temperatures, 105(DEGREES)F and 120(DEGREES)F, were used in the study. At each five wear/laundering periods, the shirts were evaluated for features important for the appearance, durability and comfort of the shirts.;The polyester and the blend with the higher percentage in polyester were superior in fewer broken yarns and in air permeability time. The 100 percent polyester shirt was superior in durable press values; however, the blend with the higher percentage of cotton was rated above the blend with the higher percentage of polyester. The cotton and cotton-polyester blend had fewer pills, less static cling and were more absorbent than the 65/35 polyester-cotton and the 100 percent polyester shirts. The 100 percent cotton, combining the warp and filling strengths, was the strongest overall of the four fabric types. The 60/40 cotton-polyester and the 100 percent cotton maintained the two top values in whiteness retention at both temperatures throughout the study.;As the maintenance of apparel is a repetitive process during the wear-life of a garment, the energy requirements for the maintenance can not exclude the comfort, appearance and durability of a garment. The length of the wear-life of a garment is influenced by these factors (comfort, appearance and durability) but is ultimately determined by the wearer. The length of the wear-life of the garment will determine the total energy cost for the maintenance of different fabric types.;The cost for the energy used in maintaining each shirt, regardless of fiber content, was less than two and one-half cents when washed at 105(DEGREES)F wash temperatures. The cost for the all-cotton shirt was... |
