Aqueous extract of Ivy leaves - influence on changes of spectral characteristics of colour in washing

Abstract

Plants such as Ivy, wild chestnut, Saponaria officinalis and soap nuts are saponine sources which have a certain ability to wash due to their hydrophilic-hydrophobic character. The effect of the aqueous extract of the Ivy leaves for washing of woolen fabric and knitwear at 40 °C was investigated through 3 sequential cycles compared to water, primarily by looking at the change in shade and the surface of the material after each cycle. In addition, the influence of the auxiliary washing agent, non-woven functional sheet - “colour and dirt catchers” has been investigated in the same circumstances. Evaluation of the spectral characteristics of colour and the surface characteristics of the samples confirmed the applicability of the aqueous extracts of the Ivy leaves, separately and in combination with the functional sheets.