The whiteness retention of selected flame retardant finished fabrics laundered with phosphate and non-phosphate detergents

Flame retardant finished fabrics available to the consumer, because of increased legislation for his protection, must retain the characteristics deemed desirable to the consumer. One characteristic is that of the maintenance of the original color. The purpose of this study was to determine the color difference of selected fabrics (100% cotton and 70/30 and 50/50 cotton and polyester blends) treated with selected flame retardant finishes (APO-THPC, THPC-urea-MM, and THPOH-NH3) and laundered 25 times with phosphate detergent and non-phosphate soap. The objectives of this study were to determine whether laundering with the detergents produced color differences in the untreated fabrics, and those treated with flame retardant finishes; to determine, by means of statistical analysis, the significance of color differences; and to determine interactions of the three main factors