FASHION INDUSTRY DICTIONARY

Define Laundering.

Laundering, the most common method of renovation for washable textile products, uses water combined with cleansers, such as soaps or detergents, and other additions, such as bleaches, for soil removal.

The effects of laundering and the degree of cleaning obtainable depend on the cleanser and auxiliary agents used (e.g., bleaches, other additives0, the water quality, the temperature, the material being cleaned, and the water-to-weight-of-fabric ratio in the machine or laundry tub. Separating of colors to prevent color fading and laundering at optimum temperatures for both cleansing and to prevent shrinkage, dye and fiber damage are important considerations in laundering. Care labels permanently attached to garments should be followed carefully to avoid laundry problems.

The fiber content of the garment being laundered is important. Some hydrophobic fibers (e.g., polyester) are not only water hating but are also oil loving (that is, oleophilic). Therefore, water-borne soil such as coffee, fruit sugar, and chocolate are initially partially repelled by the fiber. This soil can be removed by laundering action when the fiber has become thoroughly wetted. (This requires extra tumbling or soaking due to the low absorbency of the fiber.) The oil-borne soils in hydrophobic fibers, however, are more difficult to remove. Soils such as gravy, mayonnaise, and motor oil are absorbed and held tenaciously by the fiber because of their oleophilic character. Removal by laundering is often ineffective, and drycleaning must be used. However, soil-release finishes for polyester assist in removal of oil-borne soils. (It must be noted that most of these finishes becomes less and less effective with each succeeding wash, and are completely eliminated by the eighth to tenth laundering.)