textile science

14. CARE AND MAINTANANCE OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS

LAUNDRY WORK AGENTS

INTRODUCTION

In our first topic, we looked   at the most commonly used laundry agents, which are water, soaps and soap less detergents. There are other agents used in laundry work, for other purposes other than removing dirt in the traditional way of using soap and water. This is because laundry work involves more than  the removal of  dirt from textile  articles, in this topic, we are going to learn more  other agents that are used  in laundry work. They include fabric conditioners, bleaches and grease solvents.

 

Objectives of the topic

                       i.            List the different agents that are commonly used in laundry –work.

                     ii.            Describe how to blue, starch and disinfect clothes.

                   iii.            Explain the importance of different laundry work agents.

 

Fabric conditioners /softeners.

These are used in laundry work to:

a)      Make fabric softer, therefore, improve draping quality.

b)      Reduce creasing, therefore, make   it easier to iron.

c)      Reduce formation of   static electricity in synthetics (synthesis generate static electricity, therefore, they collect dust and thus the articles soil readily, in time giving white fabrics a grey look) and to

d)     Give   the fabric a pleasant smell

How to use fabric conditioner

·         Use in the final rinse

·         Fellow instructions on the   label

·         Ensure the water can reach all the parts of the articles

 

 

1.     WHITENING AGENTS

Whitening agents are either bleaches or optical whiteners.

      Bleach

Bleach is used for improving or whitening white garments, removing stains and killing germs. (This is why it is also used in toilets and sinks).

There are two main types of bleaches:

Types of bleaches

·         oxidizing bleaches

These add oxygen to the stain to form a colorless and soluble compound, for example, sunlight on a damp cloth acts as natural oxidizing bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is used on silk and wool, while sodium hypochlorite is used cottons and linens.

·         Reducing Bleaches

These remove oxygen from the stain, forming a colorless compound. They are used for all types of fabrics

 

How to use bleaches

·         Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

·         Do not use on baby’s and young children’s clothes as their skins are very sensitive’s.

·         Uses gloves, sticks or laundry tongs as they affect the skin.

·         Use in dilute form; dilute repeat closes are better than heavily concentrated ones.

·         Do not pour neat (concentrated) bleach directly on to a fabric.

 

      Blue and optical whiteners

Blue dye and whiteners are usually added to detergents. Optical whitener is a whiter dye which forms a coating on the fabric. This converts the invisible ultra violet light found in sunlight into visible light, which is reflected back in the eye; making the fabric appear whiter.

The fabric must be completely clean for this to happen. On the other hand, blue works by absorbing the yellow colors (light) reflected from white fabric; making the fabric appear whiter. Blue is sold in small cubes.

How to use blue

·         Tie blue cube in a piece of cloth then soak in the final rinse water. The cube will release the blue dye into the water.

·         Mix the water till it turns sky blue.

·         Remove the tied cube.

·         Put the article into the water, ensuring the water gets to all parts of the article.

·         Squeeze the article gently to remove excess water than hang.

 

2.     STIFFENING AGENTS

Stiffening agents are used in laundry work for the following reasons:

-          To improve the whiteness of white fabric (this is because they are white)

-          To restore natural stiffness of a fabrics

-          To give body to a fabric.

-          To give a glossy and shiny finish to a fabric. This prevents the fabric from catching dirt easily

Types of stiffening agents include plastic stiffeners, spray on starches and instant starch. Sources of starch include cassava, potatoes, maize and rice.

How to prepare boiling water starch

Ingredients 

-          1 table spoon starch powder

-          ½ a liter of boiling water

-          2tablespoons cold water

Procedure:

-          Blend starch powder with cold water

-          Add the paste to the boiling water, stirring all the time until it is semi-clear and slightly think

-          Add ½ a litre of a cold water.

-                            This is 1.1 strength starch, which is very strong. This is then diluted according to the stiffness desired, such as:

For aprons – 1cuo of starch 4 cups water.

For shirts – 1cup of starch to 6 cups of water

 

Preparation of coldwater starch.

      This is also referred to as instant starch. It is used for articles requiring a lot of stiffness such as belts, cuff, collars and cuffs for men’s shirts

Ingredients:

-          2 tbsp. starch

-          ½ tbsp. borax

-          ½ liter cold water.

Method:

-          Put the starch into a bowl.

-          Dissolve borax in boiling water then mix with the starch.

-          Add cold water to the starch, stir well, and then leave undisturbed for 30min.

-          Stir well before use, and then immerse the article into the mixture.

-          Squeeze the starch into the fabric.

-          Remove the article and squeeze out the starch.by rubbing the article lightly with a cloth to remove the starch grains from the surface of fabric.

-          Iron immediately with a hot clean iron, applying even pressure all through.

GREASE SOLVENTS.

 

Dry –cleaning is a process of cleaning fabrics in other solvents other than water. These solvents are known as grease solvents, because they clean fabrics by dissolving the grease in dirt, thereby loosening the dirt particles. They do not react with the fibers or the dyes in the fabrics. This means they do not cause shrinking, loss of color or cause damage to fabric finishes, hence they are more advantageous to use than water. Grease solvents used for commercial dry –cleaning include perchlorethylene, white spirit, and carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene .other grease solvents that can be used for home or simple dry –cleaning include fuller’s earth, benzene, talcum powder and petrol.

 

      Precautions to take when using grease solvents

-          Cover the hands, as the solvent are harmful to the skin.

-          Work quickly as liquid solvent evaporate very fast.

-          Liquid solvents   are highly inflammable, therefore work away from fire.

-          Cover the containers tightly to prevent the solvents from evaporating.

-          Work in a well –ventilated area.

-          Air garments well after dry cleaning to get rid of the smell.

 

      Method of using powder grease solvents.

-          Spread the solvent on the dirty   area.

-          Leave for sometimes to allow absorption to take place.

-          Brush off with a soft brush.

 

      Methods of using liquid solvents

-          Collect all necessary equipment and materials.

-          Place a polythene paper on the working table.

-          Spread the dirty item on the table.

-          Brush with a brush dipped in the solvent.

-          Repeat till the area is clean.

-          Hang in open air to air or

-          Immerse the article in liquid then knead and squeeze lightly ill it is clean.

-          Hang in open air to air.

-          Let the solvent settle, and then drain off the clean part in to a container. Pour away the dirty part, and then close the container tightly to prevent evaporation of the solvent.