Effect of Crease Resistant Finish on Crease Recovery Properties of Cotton Fabric

The Indian Cotton Textiles Industry has an overwhelming presence in the economic life of the country. It provides direct employment to over 35 million people. Workers who work in textile finishing sectors daily come in direct or indirect contact with hazardous chemicals released by the finishing process such as formaldehyde finish applied to the cotton fabric for improving the wrinkle resistance of the fabric. In many countries, cotton is one of the primary economic bases, providing employment and income for millions of people involved in its production, processing and marketing. Cotton has many qualities which make it suitable for apparel purpose such as absorbency, strength, easily spinnable, washability, good conductor of heat which leads to comfort in wear during hot weather. Free formaldehyde is released during wrinkle resistant finishing process, is carcinogenic in nature as well as irritates the skin of wearer. There is need of such type of finish which is free from formaldehyde and ecofriendly in nature for minimizing the health hazards occur during the finishing process. It is found that chitosan citrate is a non-formaldehyde durable press finish to produce wrinkle resistance. Chitosan has many biological properties such as biocompatible in terms of natural polymer, biodegradable, safe and non toxic. It is a step toward ecofriendly textile because it is the demand of the day.