Effect of surface property modification by simple post-treatments on particulate soil adhesion in cotton fabrics

Particulate contamination deteriorates the appearance and hygienic performance of textile products. Although anti-soiling treatments are commonly applied during textile manufacturing, simple post-treatment approaches for controlling particulate adhesion after manufacturing remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the effects of representative textile post-treatment agents—fabric softeners, antistatic agents, and water repellents—on the anti-soiling performance of cotton fabrics against particulate soil. Changes in friction characteristics, water repellency, and electrostatic behavior were evaluated using the Kawabata Evaluation System, spray tests, and electrostatic half-life measurements. Anti-soiling performance was assessed using the weight of soil adhesion (WS) and the removal rate of powder (RR). The results showed that treatment conditions significantly affected WS but not RR. Water-repellent treatment tended to reduce soil adhesion, whereas fabric softener treatment, despite reducing surface friction, tended to increase soil adhesion. Combination treatments generally preserved the individual effects of each agent but did not produce synergistic anti-soiling effects. These findings suggest that the adhesion and removal processes of particulate soil are governed by different mechanisms and that improvements in individual surface properties do not necessarily correspond to enhanced anti-soiling performance. The results provide basic guidelines for evaluating particulate anti-soiling performance from the perspective of textile surface properties and demonstrate the potential of simple post-treatment approaches for influencing particulate soil behavior.