Wash care basics of a garment entail the economic ways of
using it for a prolonged time. The life span of an apparel product made out of
silk is governed by many parameters. Character of fibre, fabric construction,
weight, and different mechanical and chemical finishing methods are some of
them. Deviation in laundering instruction often leads to loss in aesthetic and
functional significance of a silk product, and ultimately results in consumer
dissatisfaction.
During practical use silk items are soiled but economic
realities require used items be cleaned and refurbished for reuse without
substantially altering their functional and aesthetic properties. The care
aspects will vary depending on the fibre content, and such other aspects on the
finishes, linings, insulations, trims, and embellishments on the garment.
Built-up dirt can get ground deep into the fabric, making stains difficult to
remove and can even damage the fabric. Rubbing causes the stain to move deeper
into the fabric that may be difficult to remove. Further, the heat in the dryer
may permanently set the stain in a fabric.
Natural fibres can release gummy/oily substances, which can
be attracted to manufactured fibres like polyester and nylon during processing.
Chlorine bleaching needs to be prohibited, which can otherwise damage high
performance products made from spandex Fabrics, linings, or insulations could
shrink or be otherwise damaged from using too hot temperature or from leaving
garments in the dryer too long. Apparels made from fibres such as acrylic,
nylon, polyester, and polyolefin tend to dry quickly and thus to be watched
carefully. Polyolefin can actually melt if the dryer temperature gets too high.
Care labelling rule requires manufacturers and importers of
apparel and certain piece goods to provide necessary care label instructions
when those products are sold. The purpose of the rule is to give the consumer
accurate care information to extend the useful life of garments. Consumers have
to select the correct techniques to restore the attributes of the textiles.
These labels must be permanently attached, and remain legible for the life of
the garment. Sometimes symbols may be used in conjunction with words but will
not by themselves satisfy the requirements explicitly.
Care labels, often, are the deciding factors when consumers
shop for clothing. While some of them opt for the convenience of dry cleaning,
others prefer the economy of buying garments, which they can wash. Some
manufacturers try to reach both markets with garments that can be cleaned by
either method. The care label rule allows providing more than one set of care
instructions, if a reasonable basis for each instruction set exists.
Read Full Article
About the Authors
Dr. Subrata Das is having more than two decades of working
experience in shop floor, R&D, QA and teaching, he is presently working as
a Scientist at Central Silk Technological Research Institute, Bangalore
Mr. Ramapa J has around 16 years of experience in extension,
training and in SCTRI and Central Silk Board, Bangalore. Presently, he is
working as a Scientist "C" in CSTRI and is pursuing PhD in
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum.
Originally published in Apparel Views; June 2009
Published
with due permission from the author
