The aim of the research was to evaluate the changes in the surface properties of five functional clothing materials with water-repellent finishes (including PFC-free finish) after 1, 5, and 10 washes with three detergents. A new approach to the interpretation of the water-repellent properties of textile materials is presented, based on two techniques, i.e., the spray test method and contact angle measurements. The results showed that washing materials with hydrophobic finishes can cause significant changes in their properties, which are mainly dependent on the composition and structure of the material, as well as the type of hydrophobic finish. The PFC-free finish is the least resistant to washing. For all materials with PFC finishes, the water repellency depends on the fluorine content on the surface and fabric topography. It was also found that increasing washing frequency resulted in a gradual decrease in water repellency. The loss of water repellency below an acceptable level (Grade 3) occurred after the fifth washing for all materials. Significant differences in the interpretation of the results of the spray test and contact angle measurements were observed. Using these methods separately provides information on the changes in the surface properties of the tested materials; however, their parallel application allows for obtaining complementary data, which is important for the proper interpretation of results.

The research aim was to analyse the changes in the air permeability, waterproofness, surface, mechanical and thermal properties of the polyamide 6.6 fabric with a polyurethane coating before and after 1, 5, and 10 washes in the same conditions using specialized (V1) and universal (V2) laundry detergent. A new approach based on SEM and DSC techniques and assessment of surface free energy combined with standard methods was proposed to explain the nature of observed changes in waterproof and breathable material after washing treatment. SEM analysis indicated that after 10 washes the porosity of the polyurethane coating increased from 8.94% to 14.56% and 18.75% for V1 and V2, respectively. The air permeability increased from 0.747 mm/s for the reference sample to 0.766 mm/s and 0.774 mm/s after 10 washes for V1 and V2, respectively. The waterproofness of the reference sample of 992 mbar decreased with the increasing number of washes to 246 mbar and 122 mbar for V1 and V2, respectively. After 10 washes the surface free energy (γ_S) decreased by 18.8% and 24.3% for V1 and V2, respectively. The average tensile strength amounted to 833 N and decreased by 13.5% for V1 and by 20% for V2 after 10 washes. The glass transition temperature of the reference fabric was 47.6°C. After 10 washes it increased by 7.2°C and 8.8°C for V1 and V2, respectively. The temperatures of thermal degradation increased by 24.6°C and 22.2°C and the heat of thermal decomposition decreased by 23.6% and 15.8% after 10 washes for V1 and V2, respectively.

The aim of the study is to show how the washing process, while considering the type of washing agent and number of wash cycles, determines the durability of hydrophobic finishes of laminated fabrics. The samples of material were subject to multiple wash cycles in clear water and with the use of two types of washing agents, namely, an ordinary washing powder and a detergent recommended by manufacturers of functional clothing. The washed materials were subject to spray test and its waterproofing and degree of surface wetting were evaluated. The tests have shown that waterproofing of membrane laminates with DWR (durable water repellent) coating become deteriorated during washing treatment and the use of special detergent does not guaranty the maintenance of better coating properties than an ordinary washing agent.

Porous wood-based boards, like any lignocellulosic material, are susceptible to biocorrosion caused by mold fungi. Their durability can be extended by using biocides. Due to the fact that porous boards are considered an ecological material, it would be beneficial to also use natural agents to protect them. For this purpose, the surface of softboards was protected with a 30% solution of cinnamon bark oil in ethanol. Three application levels were used: 75 g/m², 120 g/m², and 200 g/m² of solution. It has been shown that the cinnamon bark oil solution used at an application rate of 200 g/m² is an effective fungicide, protecting softboards (SBs) against the development of mold fungi: T. viride and C. globosum. The dominant volatile component of cinnamon oil identified in the boards turned out to be cinnamaldehyde. Three months after treatment, this substance constituted 74% of the volatile components. The proposed treatment method allows for short-term preventive protection of boards against mold fungi.