The purposes of this study were to investigate consumer satisfaction, preferences, and care procedures of selected nightgown fabrics. Additionally, demographic information was obtained to characterize the sample.

The data were provided by 54 females in Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Eight subjects, each wearing two different gown fabrics participated from five states; however, one participant each from Massachusetts and Vermont was disqualified. The four fabrics used in this study, representative of those available in the marketplace for the manufacture of ladies sleepwear, were made from: (1) 100% polyester, pink, brushed knit, (2) 100% nylon, lavender tricot, (3) 80/20% acetate-polyester, blue-green, brushed knit, and (4) 80/20% acetate-nylong, yellow-green, brushed knit.

Preliminary and terminal interview questionnaires were used to collect the data as well as satisfaction ratings cards. Frequency distributions and percentages were used to characterize the findings from this study.

Participants tended to be fairly young, well educated and dwellers of single family houses. The majority earned incomes in excess of $10,000. Automatic washers and dryers were used predominately. A variety of textile goods were laundered in the same loads as the sleepwear. Wearers indicated preferences for one or the other of the two gowns on each of the following factors: ease of soil removal, colorfastness, shape retention, appearance, hand, and durability. The 100% polyester, brushed knit fabric was preferred overall, but other fabrics received higher ratings on individual factors. On satisfaction factors, hand and ease of care were the most pleasing characteristics. Static electricity continues to be a problem. Satisfaction scores were somewhat parallel to preferences.