Acccording to the FabricLink Textile Dictionary, it is the ability of a fiber or a fabric to disperse moisture and allow it to pass through to the surface of the fabric underneath. (thinking-about-cloth-diapers.com)
If you are using too little detergent to release this soil, you will then get a microscopic build up of oils on the surface of the fabric eventually causing it to repel or stink. (cloththatcounts.com)
Brighteners, or Optical Brighteners, are actually dyes that stick to the surface of the fabric in the... Read More (thirstiesbaby.com)