Cleaning/Washing Of Clothes Flashcards
What six things determine how well clothes are washed?
Detergent
Water
Water temperature
Agitation
Fabric softener/conditioner
Water removal
What are the two different type of detergent?
Liquid detergent
Powder detergent
What are the five components of detergent?
Surfactants
Conditioners
Bleach
Fluorescents (optical brighteners)
Enzymes
Describe the structure of a surfactant.
It has a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail
Why are surfactants used?
2
To reduce the surface tension of water
To enable the water molecules to wet the clothes
How does the hydrophilic head in a surfactant work?
3
The hydrophilic head attaches to the surface of the water
This disrupts the bonding of water molecules (together)
Which enables the water molecules to thoroughly wet the clothes and help loosen dirt from fabric
How does the hydrophobic tail in a surfactant work?
2
The hydrophobic tail attaches itself to the dirt or stain on fabric
This keeps the dirt particles suspended in the water
What is the role of conditioners in the care of clothes?
They soften fabric and eliminate static cling
How do conditioners soften fabric and eliminate static cling?
By coating the fabric fibres with a lubricating finish
This prevents static electricity forming when fabrics rub together
What is the role of bleach in the care of clothes?
Bleach removes stains and brightens clothing
How does bleach remove stains and brighten clothing?
By releasing small amounts of hydrogen peroxide
What is the role of fluorescents in the care of clothes?
Enables fabric to absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as blue light
Explain how fluorescents work?
3
They create a visual whitening effect on fabrics by enabling fabric to absorb UV light and re-emit is as blue light
As the blue light interacts with the yellow light emitted from the fabric it gives clothes a grey hue
This tricks the eye into thinking the clothes are whiter than they are by producing a white light
What is the role of enzymes in the care of clothes?
2
They break down protein based stains such as blood or milk into smaller particles
This makes it easier for the detergent to clean fabrics
Why does the type of water need to be considered when washing clothes?
As the type of water will affect the efficiency of washing fabrics
What are the two types of water?
Hard and soft
Why is hard water not used for cleaning clothes?
As it does not create a good lather of soap
Why does hard water not create a good lather of soap?
Due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions
Instead of for washing clothes, what should hard water be used for?
Drinking
How are clothes washed if they cannot be washed with water?
They must be dry-cleaned with a specific solvent
Write a note on the scientific principle underlying the care of fabrics in relation to water.
(4)
Type of water effects the efficiency of washing fabrics
Hard water does form a good lather with soap - Ca and Mg ions
Some fabrics can’t be washed in water - dry-cleaning with a specific solvent
Hard water should be used for drinking instead of cleaning clothes
Why should the water temperature be considered?
2
As water temperature can cause damage to the structure, colour, finish and shape of fabric when washing
E.g. cotton goes undamaged at high temperatures but wool will shrink
Give an example of a fabric where water temperature is important when washing.
Wool as extreme heat (95 degrees) can cause wool to shrink, compared to cotton which may go undamaged
In relation to care of fabric what is agitation?
The movement necessary to dislodge dirt or stains from fabric
What does the amount of agitation needed depend on?
It depends on how dirty a fabric is or the type of fabric
What will too much agitation do?
It will cause damage to the fabric
In relation to agitation, how should delicate fabrics such as silk be washed?
They require a minimum action wash with a wool cycle spin
In relation to agitation, how should durable fabrics such as cotton be washed?
(2)
Maximum action wash
Normal spin
Write a note on agitation in relation to the care of fabrics.
(4)
The movement necessary to dislodge dirt or stains from fabrics
Depends on -how dirt the fabric is - type of fabric
Delicate fabric - minimum action wash + wool cycle spin
Durable fabric - maximum action wash + normal spin
What do fabric softeners/conditioners do to clothes?
4
Reduce static electricity
Reduces wrinkling which makes ironing easier
Enhances softness
Adds a pleasant smell
How can water removal be carried out?
4
Drip, line or flat drying
Wringing
Spin drying
Tumble drying
How can clothes be dried through wringing?
By squeezing or twisting fabric after hand washing
How can clothes be spin dried?
Spin drying is completed at the end of a washing machine cycle by spinning clothes in the rotating drum
Describe tumble drying.
Tumble drying dries clothes by spinning them in hot air inside a rotating drum
