Effects of locally manufactured soaps on colour, strength and elongation of some selected Ghanaian printed cotton fabrics

Abstract

Despite the highly attractive and durable nature of most Ghanaian printed cotton fabrics they tend to depreciate faster in colour and strength over a short period of use due to poor laundry culture and fabric care. The effects of two Ghanaian locally produced soaps (Key soap and Azumah blow) on colour; strength and elongation of two Ghanaian printed cotton fabrics (GTP and ATL) were investigated using an experimental approach. Simple random sampling method was used in selecting sample specimens for the study. The Gyrowash 315, Hounsfield H5K-5, and a magnifying glass were used in washing, testing tensile strength and elongation, and determining thread count of the specimens, respectively. ANOVA was used to test the significance differences in the effects of the two soaps on the specimens. Azumah blow soap had higher total free alkali of 1.57 compared to the specified maximum of 0.3 and higher percentage solubility in ethanol of 38.5% compared to the 20% maximum specified standards, but those of key soap, however, were consistent with the Ghana Standard Board’s specified limits. There was a significant difference in the effect of both soaps on colour fastness of GTP and ATL cotton fabrics with Azumah blow having the highest negative effect. GTP lost 1.5 units of colour when washed with Azumah blow and only 1unit with key soap. Whiles ATL maintained its original colour when washed with key soap; it lost 1 unit of colour with Azumah blow. The Ghana Standards Board should ensure that local soap manufacturers adhere to the standard specifications of laundry soaps.