Objective of Textile Care
The objective of all textile care processes is to clean and restore items to a condition as close to their "like new" condition as possible. These processes normally can be divided into two basic steps--soil removal and ironing.
Soil removal generally is accomplished by immersing the soiled textile items in water or a solvent to dissolve or flush-out the soils present. Some types of mechanical action and a detergent aid in the removal of the soils.
Dry-Cleaning
Dry-cleaning of textile items with perchloroethylene("Perc") or petroleum solvents avoids saturating the fabric with water. While the items are immersed, the solvent does not penetrate the fibers of the fabric, thereby avoiding the possible swelling and shrinking that can occur with water saturation. For a short period time(relative to laundering), the textile items are cleaned in solvent containing detergent and a small amount of water. The solvent is extracted by first draining and then spinning the items. The items are then tumble dried with hot air and removed for ironing. Throughout the process, the solvent is recovered and purified for reuse.
Laundering
Textile items are immersed in water containing detergent and other laundering aids. A typical laundering cycle consists of numerous successive washing operations followed by a rinse operation. Then the items dried in a machine dryer, or hung dry, and ironed.
Ironing
It generally involves steaming and pressing. Steaming is effective for relaxing wrinkles and enhancing pressing.
Factors Determining the Cleaning Method
Selection of cleaning method depends upon the following four factors:
Types of Soil
There are three types of soil--particulate, water soluble and oily soil. Particulate soils are carbon soot and dust. These soils can be removed by the force of air. If this isn't sufficient to remove a particle, additional energy in the form of brushing, sweeping, tapping, shaking or vacuuming may be required. These method are not likely to cause shrinkage, dye or color changes.
Water soluble soils often consist of body fluid, salts or sugars and are best removed by water. Grease, body and natural oils are dissloved readily in solvents and are best removed by dry-cleaning. However, laundering can be modified to remove some oily soils with the addition of detergents. Similarly, dry-cleaning solvents can be enhanced with the addition of detergents to removed water soluble soils.
Fiber Composition
Many fibers respond well to both laundering and
drycleaning. The notable exceptions to this are hydrophilic fibers such
as cotton, linen, wool and silk which are subject to shrinkage and
felting when in contact with water.
Since the solvent does not
swell fibers and the items are cleaned at room temperature, all fibers
types are compatible with the drycleaning process. However, drying of
the items can result in shrinkage, if excess heat is used.
Dyes
The various dyes used to color fibers and fabrics can often determine whether or not an article is washed or drycleaned. In general, man-made fibers are solution-dyed and respond equally well to either process. Dyes used for natural fibers often respond poorly to water.
Trim and Linings
Some items have trims(e.g., button, beads) of some sorts that can determine how the item is cleaned. Low quality trims can be dissolved during in the dry-cleaning process.
If you have any questions about textile care (e.g., stain removal, laundering and drycleaning), please e-mail me.
Upholstery Fabrics of the 1950 Cars