Textile Care PDF

**TEXTILE CARE** **[Fibres]** **Fibres** are tiny hair-like threads that are twisted into yarn before being knitted or woven into fabric. Fibres can be classified into two groups: - - Both groups can be divided into sub-categories. Natural fibres -- Wool **[Wool (Natural fibre)]** +-----...

**TEXTILE CARE** **[Fibres]** **Fibres** are tiny hair-like threads that are twisted into yarn before being knitted or woven into fabric. Fibres can be classified into two groups: - - Both groups can be divided into sub-categories. Natural fibres -- Wool **[Wool (Natural fibre)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | Source | Properties | Uses | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - - - | - - - | - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Care**: Many items | | | | made from wool (e.g. | | | | suits) must be dry | | | | cleaned. Care must be | | | | taken when washing | | | | wool, as it shrinks | | | | easily. | | | | | | | | - - - | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Silk (natural fibre)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - | - - - | - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Care**: Silk is a | | | | delicate, expensive | | | | fabric, so great care | | | | should be taken while | | | | washing, drying and | | | | ironing it. | | | | | | | | - - - | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Cotton (natural fibre)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - | - - - | - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Care**: Most cotton | | | | fabrics are | | | | relatively easy to | | | | wash, dry and iron. | | | | Some items such as | | | | t-shirts (unless | | | | pre-shrunk) may | | | | shrink. | | | | | | | | - - - | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Linen (natural fibre)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - | - - - | - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Care**: Most linen | | | | fabrics are | | | | relatively easy to | | | | wash, dry and iron. | | | | However, if linen has | | | | not been pre-shrunk, | | | | greater care must be | | | | taken. | | | | | | | | - - - | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Linen (natural fibre)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - | - - - | - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Care**: Most linen | | | | fabrics are | | | | relatively easy to | | | | wash, dry and iron. | | | | However, if linen has | | | | not been pre-shrunk, | | | | greater care must be | | | | taken. | | | | | | | | - - - | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Synthetic fabric (human-made)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - - | - - - | - - - - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **[Regenerated fabric (human-made)]** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Source** | **Properties** | **Uses** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | - - | - - - | - | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **Care for Synthetic and Regenerated Fabrics:** | | | | Synthetic and regenerated fabrics will last if they are properly | | cared for. | | | | - - - | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ **[Care labels]** **Care labels** on clothing and household textiles give you instructions on how to care for these items. Care labels use written instructions and/or symbols. These symbols are used worldwide. Care labels use five basic symbols. **[Care labels -- Washing ]** There are three basic factors to consider when machine-washing textiles. - - - - - -  +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | Symbol | Machine-wash | Handwash | Fabric | +=================+=================+=================+=================+ | 95° | Max wash in hot | Hand hot, spin | - - | | | cotton cycle | or wring | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | 60° | Maximum wash in | Hand hot, spin | - - - | | | hot cotton | or wring | | | | cycle | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | | | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | | | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+  Care Labels -- Drying  Care Labels -- Ironing Care Labels -- Dry-cleaning  Care Labels -- Bleaching Guidelines to follow when washing clothes Check the care label to find out how the clothing should be washed. Empty all pockets so that the pocket contents are not destroyed. Sort clothes according to their care label and colour (whites, darks and colours). Do not overload the machine, as clothes will not wash properly. Choose a suitable washing detergent and fabric conditioner. Choose the correct programme for the fabrics you are washing. The wrong programme will damage clothing, e.g. a hot wash would shrink knitted jumpers. Guidelines to follow when removing stains Act quickly or the stain will set. Use the mildest treatment first, such as soaking in cold water, so that you are not using chemicals unnecessarily. Try natural stain removers such as lemon juice or baking soda before chemical ones, as they are more environmentally friendly and less expensive. If you have to use a chemical stain remover, test it on a small unseen area, e.g. inside the hem, in case the remover damages the fabric. Methods of stain removal  Commercial stain removers There is a wide variety of commercial stain removers on the market today. Some have chemicals in them that treat a variety of different stains, e.g. Vanish Oxi Action. Others are specific to certain types of stains, e.g. Stain Devils Mud, Grass & Make-up. **Guidelines for using commercial stain removers** When using these products, always follow instructions carefully and obey safety warnings such as: Detergents **Detergents**, such as Persil and Ariel, help to remove dirt and stains from clothes. Detergents are available in powder, liquid, liquitab or tablet form. Types of detergents **Biological detergents** contain enzymes that break down stains. They work best at 40 °C because they are from biological (animal) sources, and this is approximately body temperature. **Non-biological detergents** do not contain enzymes. Generally, clothes have to be washed at higher temperatures for the detergent to work well. **Detergents for delicates** do not contain harsh chemicals such as bleach and are suitable for delicate fabrics, e.g. silk. **Eco-friendly detergents** are less harmful to the environment than regular detergents, as the ingredients used are from natural rather than chemical sources. Many work well at 30 °C or lower, requiring less electricity. Fabric conditioners **Fabric conditioners** (e.g. Comfort and Lenor) are added while rinsing clothes. They: Advantages and disadvantages of tumble drying Quick and convenient Removes creases, cutting down on ironing Softens items, such as bath towels Uses a lot of electricity Expensive to run Some fabrics will shrink if tumble dried, e.g. wool Some fabrics will discolour if tumble dried, e.g. white synthetic fabrics will go grey Ironing Many modern fabrics are treated with crease-resistant finishes that mean they do not have to be ironed. For other fabrics, ironing removes creases, making them look better. **Guidelines for ironing** Check the care label for the correct iron setting. Using too hot a setting may scorch or melt the fabric (wool, silk or human-made). Using too cool a setting means the creases will not come out (cotton, linen). Iron delicate fabrics inside out to prevent them become shiny or marked. Iron clothes while they are still slightly damp or use a steam iron. Environmentally friendly textile care Textile care, i.e. washing, drying and ironing, can have a negative impact on the environment, e.g. tumble dryers use a lot of electricity and many washing detergents contain harmful chemicals. Reducing the impact of textile care on the environment Wash clothes only when needed, e.g. jeans only need to be washed every 6--10 wears unless they look or smell dirty. Wash clothes on an energy saving/economy cycle. Although this cycle generally lasts longer, it uses cooler water (normally 30 °C or below) or heats it more slowly and so uses less energy. Use eco-friendly washing detergents, such as Ecover and Lilly's Eco Clean, as they are less harmful to the environment. Choose textile care products packaged in cardboard instead of plastic, as cardboard is biodegradable and can be recycled. Dry clothes outside or inside on a clothes horse. Avoid using the tumble dryer whenever possible.