Synergistic effect of ultrasonic cavitation and enzymatic activity on washing efficiency and dimensional stability of wool-knitted fabrics

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of ultrasonic cavitation and enzymatic activity within a wet-cleaning framework to enhance washing efficiency and minimize deformation in wool-knitted fabrics. Unlike previous studies using standard contaminated fabrics, this research employed 100% wool yarns to create knitted fabrics, which were deliberately contaminated with oils and insoluble particles. This approach ensured consistent evaluation of washing efficiency, appearance, and dimensional changes using identical samples, providing a reliable assessment of washing effects. The experimental revealed that the combination of ultrasonic washing and enzyme detergent outperformed mechanical washing and ultrasonic washing with neutral detergent in terms of soil removal performance. The enzyme detergent improved cleaning performance by cleaving peptide bonds in keratin, while ultrasonic treatment reduced friction, minimizing fabric damage and preserving dimensional stability. After 10 wash cycles, tensile strength decreased under all conditions; however, ultrasonic washing resulted in a lower weight loss (3%) compared to mechanical washing (6%). Furthermore, ultrasonic treatment partially removed the epicuticle, reducing felting and limiting shrinkage and thickness increase. This study confirms that ultrasonic washing, when combined with enzyme detergents, produces a synergistic effect, offering a sustainable and effective wet-cleaning method. These finding are expected to provide valuable insights for the development of future textile care practices.