Natural feel on natural fabrics, by using bio-based softeners

Textile softeners play a vital role in enhancing fabric comfort by improving properties such as softness, drape, and smoothness. Traditional softeners, however, often rely on toxic compounds, posing environmental and health risks. This comprehensive review explores the emerging field of bio-based softeners as sustainable alternatives in the textile industry. Bio-based softeners, can be derived from renewable sources like plant oils, marine extracts, and animal derivatives, offering comparable performance while reducing environmental impact. This paper examines the classifications, mechanisms, and benefits of bio-based softeners while emphasizing the potential of enzymes, particularly cellulases, as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for fabric softening. Evaluation methods such as the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES-F) and Fabric Assurance by Simple Testing (FAST) demonstrate that bio-based softeners improve characteristics such as thickness, rigidity, extensibility, and smoothness in materials like cotton and wool. Despite these benefits, challenges remain, including consistency in softening effects and processing complexities of natural materials. Continued innovation and optimization in bio-based softening present a pathway toward a more sustainable, environmentally responsible textile industry.