© 2024 IJRTI | Volume 9, Issue 4 | ISSN: 2456-3315

A STUDY ON DEVELOPING SCRUB PAD USING

COIR FIBER AND LUFFA FIBER [RIDGE GOURD]
1MS. N. INDHU, 2MS. T. VINITHA, 3Dr. V. MAHALAKSHMI
1
PG SCHOLAR, 2ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, 3HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF COSTUME DESIGN AND FASHION
K.S.R COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE FOR WOMEN
TIRUCHENGODE-637215

Abstract- In the development of an eco-friendly scrub pad utilizing natural fibers derived from coir and ridge
gourd. The aim was to create a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic scrub pads commonly used for
household cleaning purposes. The scrub pad was designed to be biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and
effective in removing dirt and stains. The fabrication process involved sourcing and preparing coir and ridge
gourd fibers, mixing them in suitable proportions, molding the mixture into scrub pad shapes, and drying and
curing the pads. Material properties, including mechanical strength, water absorption, retention capacity, and
abrasion resistance, were evaluated to assess the suitability of the scrub pad for various cleaning applications.
Environmental impact assessment confirmed the biodegradability of the scrub pad, contributing to the reduction
of plastic waste and environmental pollution. Results underscore the potential of coir and ridge gourd fibers as
viable alternatives for sustainable scrub pad production, promoting environmentally responsible cleaning
practices.

Keywords: Scrub pads, Coir fiber, Ridge fiber, Non-woven, Bio-degradable, Sustainable, Eco-friendly.

INTRODUCTION:
Coir is a natural fiber found in the husk of coconuts. It’s known as “The Golden Fiber” because it’s golden in color
when cleaned. Coir is tough and can resist water, which protects the coconut fruit as it floats in the ocean before washing
up on shores. People use coir for things like floor mats, rope, and garden mulch.
The fibers in coir are narrow and hollow, with thick walls made of cellulose. When they mature, they become hardened
and yellowish due to a layer of lignin on their walls. Brown coir fibers are stronger but less flexible than white fibers,
which are smoother but weaker. White fibers are obtained by soaking immature husks in water to loosen the fibers, then
beating them by hand to separate the long fibers. Coir is unique because it’s resistant to damage by salt water.
Luffa acutangula, also known as Ridged Gourd or Vegetable Sponge, is a plant native to tropical regions and belongs
to the cucurbitaceous family, which includes gourds, pumpkins, and cucumbers. It grows as an annual vine, producing
cylindrical green fruits that develop into seed pods filled with intertwined cellulose fibers. These fibers are used after
removing the outer skin, revealing the luffa inside.
There are two main species of luffa, Luffa acutangula, and Luffa aegyptiaca (Luffa cylindrica), both of which are grown
and harvested before maturity for consumption as vegetables in Asia and Africa. Luffa acutangula is often recognized
by its pronounced ridges running along the skin lengthwise, and it tends to be thinner, bent, or curved compared to Luffa
cylindrica.
The vegetable sponge comes in various shapes and sizes, ranging from short and wide sponges used as pot scrubbers to
long and thin fruits grown primarily for food. When young, the fruits are flexible and can conform to different shapes.
While Luffa acutangula is primarily grown for its fiber, it is also consumed as a food crop. In markets, the edible luffa
found is likely to be more commonly Luffa acutangula than Luffa cylindrica.
Nonwoven fabric technology is leading in the textile industry due to its simplicity, efficiency, and lower cost.
Nonwovens can mimic traditional fabrics’ appearance, texture, and strength. They are made by binding fibers together
mechanically, thermally, or chemically, without the need for weaving or knitting. Mechanical methods like needle
punching and spun lacing are common. The properties of nonwovens depend on fiber choice, bonding process, and
bonding agent.

METHODOLOGY
1. SELECTION OF FIBRES
• Coir
• Luffa acutangula ( Ridge gourd )

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2. FIBER EXTRACTION
• PREPARATION OF COIR FIBER:
Traditional fiber extraction involves a time-consuming process of retting husks in water for 10-12 months, followed by
manual extraction, washing, and drying. Mechanical extraction methods offer a quicker alternative, soaking husks for
five days before processing with machines. New environmentally friendly methods, like microbial treatments, reduce
retting time to 3-5 days while maintaining fiber quality. These advancements enhance efficiency and consistency in
fiber production.
• PREPARATION OF LUFFA FIBER:
When luffa fruits reach full growth and become very light, they are ready to peel. Peeling greenish fruits may yield
fiber, but it’s harder and less strong. As the skin matures, it loses its green color and becomes looser. Mature sponges
are dried in sunlight before manual peeling, followed by manual removal of seeds. The fibers, arranged
multidirectionally like a cell structure, are entangled around the beehive-like structure of the luffa fruit nucleus. Fibers
are extracted by cutting and removing the inner core, resulting in a flat mat-like arrangement of peeled-off fiber

Fig.1 Luffa acutangula (Ridge gourd) fiber Fig.2 Coir fiber

3. FIBER SOFTENING
The treatment of coir yarn with a 20% caustic soda solution in cold water for 24 hours significantly softens the coir,
giving it a smoother and more supple feel. After this treatment, the material is soaked in a 0.3% sulfuric acid solution
for half an hour. Following this, the material is washed three times in cold water and then air-dried. This process likely
helps in enhancing the texture and properties of the coir yarn for various applications
The luffa fibers are then subjected to a softening treatment, which can vary depending on the desired level of softness.
One common method involves soaking the fibers in a caustic soda solution (e.g., 20% concentration) in cold water for
a specified duration, such as 24 hours. This treatment helps soften the fibers and impart a smoother texture.

4. BLENDING PROCESS
To blend different fibers into a single fabric and improve its quality while achieving desired properties, coir fibers are
manually chopped into small pieces, typically about 2-3 inches long. This chopping process ensures that long fibers,
which cannot be effectively used in blending, are broken down into more manageable lengths.
For Luffa acutangula fibers, which are arranged in a cell-like structure and have a lower fiber length of less than 10 mm
when opened, similar processing steps may be applied. These shorter fibers are suitable for blending with other fibers
to achieve desired fabric properties.
Once chopped or opened, these fibers can be mixed with other fibers and processed further to create blended fabrics
with enhanced characteristics such as strength, durability, and texture. Blending fibers in this manner allows for greater
flexibility in fabric design and production, catering to specific application requirements.

5. WEB FORMATION
The study focuses on web formation, a process that arranges fibers or filaments into a sheet or web form. In this research,
the carding method was utilized to develop the web. Carding is a mechanical process that aligns fibers in a parallel
arrangement to create a uniform web. This method is crucial for ensuring the uniform distribution and alignment of
fibers, which impacts the quality and performance of the final textile product.

6. CARDING
The principle of carding involves a mechanical action where fibers are held by one surface while another surface combs
the fibers, causing individual fiber separation. Additionally, static electricity is applied to the worker-roller to enhance
the uniformity of the fiber web formed by the carding process. A condensed web exhibits uniform strength in all
directions, making it suitable for various applications where consistent strength properties are required.

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7. NEEDLE PUNCHING ( NON WOVEN )

The sheet is formed using a process called needle punching, where the web structures are bonded mechanically by the
interlocking of fibers. In this process, the lap (a layer of fibers) is fed into a needle punching machine, which is equipped
with barbed needles. As the lap passes through the machine, the needles repeatedly penetrate the web, entangling the
fibers and locking them together. This mechanical action creates a cohesive nonwoven sheet with desired properties
such as strength, density, and uniformity.

8. SCRUB PADS
Once the nonwoven sheet is formed through the needle punching process, it can be cut into various shapes to make
scrub pads. After cutting, the edges of the scrub pads may be finished or sealed to prevent fraying and ensure durability.

ABSORBENCY AND MOISTURE CONTENT

Coir fiber, with an initial moisture content ranging from 10-12%, absorbs moisture well due to its porous structure but
retains it for a longer time, resulting in slower drying. Conversely, luffa fibers also absorb moisture effectively but may
not retain it as well as coir fibers due to their structure. The moisture content of luffa fibers can vary based on factors
like maturity and processing methods. However, when properly dried, luffa fibers can have a moisture content similar
to coir fibers.

AIR PERMEABILITY
Luffa fibers are known for their high air permeability properties due to their porous structure, which allows air to flow
through easily. Combining luffa fibers with coir fibers to make scrub pads can enhance the air permeability of the pads.
This increased air permeability facilitates quicker drying of the scrub pads after use, the blend of luffa and coir fibers
can offer a good balance of scrubbing power and durability for effective cleaning.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

The development of eco-friendly scrub pads using coir fiber and ridge gourd fiber offers a sustainable alternative to
conventional synthetic scrub pads. The fabrication process involves sourcing and preparing the fibers, softening them,
blending them in suitable proportions, forming a web using the carding method, and needle punching to create a
nonwoven sheet. This sheet is then cut into various shapes to make scrub pads.

The materials used in this process are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, contributing to the reduction of
plastic waste and environmental pollution. The scrub pads exhibit properties such as mechanical strength, water
absorption, retention capacity, and abrasion resistance, making them effective for household cleaning purposes.

Overall, this study highlights the potential of coir and ridge gourd fibers as viable alternatives for sustainable scrub pad
production, promoting environmentally responsible cleaning practices. By utilizing natural fibers and eco-friendly
manufacturing processes, the development of these scrub pads aligns with the principles of sustainability and
environmental conservation.

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