Home - Ec Chapter 30 - TEXTILE CARE

Question 1

Fibres

Answer 1

Fibres are tiny hair-like threads that
are twisted into yarn before being
knitted or woven into fabric. Fibres
can be classified into two groups:
1. natural fibres
2. human-made fibres.

Question 2

Natural fibres – Wool (e.g. tweed, gabardine)

Answer 2

Source
• Sheep and lambs
• Alpacas
• Goats
• Angora rabbits
Uses
• Clothing: coats, scarves, trousers, skirts, jackets, dresses, jumpers, hats,
gloves, socks
• Household: carpets, rugs, upholstery, cushions, blankets, throws
Properties
• Warm
• Insulating
• Absorbent
• Shrinks easily
• Scorches easily
• Can be irritating against
sensitive skin

Question 3

Natural fibres – Wool (e.g. tweed, gabardine Care

Answer 3

Care
Many items made from wool (e.g. suits) must be dry cleaned. Care must be
taken when washing wool as it shrinks easily.
• Handwash in lukewarm (not hot) water or machine wash on the wool
setting (30 °C). If wool is washed in hot water, it will shrink.
• Do not wring the item, as this will cause it to stretch and lose its shape.
• Lay flat on a towel to absorb the water and then dry flat so that it does
not stretch and lose its shape.
• Do not tumble dry as the item will shrink.
• Iron using a pressing action on a cool wool setting. A hot iron will scorch
wool

Question 4

Natural fibres – Silk (e.g. raw silk, chiffon)

Answer 4

Source
• Cocoons of silk worms
Uses
• Clothing: evening and wedding gowns, dresses, shirts, blouses, ties,
scarves
• Household: curtains, cushions, bed linen, lampshades, wall hangings
Properties
• Soft
• Smooth
• Drapes well
• Delicate
• Expensive

Question 5

Natural fibres – Silk (e.g. raw silk, chiffon) Care

Answer 5

Care
Silk is a delicate, expensive fabric, so great care should be taken while washing,
drying and ironing it.
• Do not expose it to direct sunlight for long periods of time or colours will
fade.
• Handwash items in warm water using a detergent suited to delicate
fabrics. Rinse well, as any traces of detergent left would damage the silk.
• After washing, lay the item flat between two towels and roll up to absorb
the water. Dry flat.
• Never tumble dry silk or it will shrink.
• Iron the item inside out using a pressing action on a cool silk setting

Question 6

Natural fibres – Cotton (e.g. denim, towelling

Answer 6

Source
• The boll of the cotton
plantUses
• Clothing: jeans, t-shirts, shirts, blouses, hoodies, skirts, dresses
• Household: curtains, cushions, bed linen, upholstery, towels
Properties
• Strong
• Durable
• Dyes easily
• Absorbs moisture well
• Creases easily
• May shrink if not pre-shrunk
during manufacturing

Question 7

Natural fibres – Cotton (e.g. denim, towelling) Care

Answer 7

Care
Most cotton fabrics are relatively easy to wash, dry and iron. Some items such as
t-shirts (unless pre-shrunk) may shrink.
• Most white cottons can be washed at very hot temperatures (up to 95 °C).
Use cooler water (40 °C or below) for coloured cottons.
• Most cotton items (except those prone to shrinking) can be tumble dried.
• Cotton creases easily. Iron clothing on a hot cotton setting before it is
completely dry or use a steam iron to remove creases more easily.
• Cotton needs to be fully dry before storage as it is prone to mildew (a
type of fungus).

Question 8

Natural fibres – Linen (e.g. lawn, damask)

Answer 8

Source
• Flax plants
Uses
• Clothing: shirts, suits, dresses, trousers, jackets, coats
• Household: tablecloths, curtains, cushions, upholstery
Properties
• Strong
• Durable
• Absorbs moisture well
• Creases easily

Question 9

Natural fibres – Linen (e.g. lawn, damask) Care

Answer 9

Care
Most linen fabrics are relatively easy to wash, dry and iron. However, if linen has
not been pre-shrunk, greater care must be taken.
• Plain white linen fabrics (with no special finishes) can be washed at very
high temperatures (up to 95 °C). Use cooler temperatures (40 °C) for
coloured linen, linen with special finishes or if it is prone to shrinking.
• Most linen items (except those prone to shrinking) can be tumble dried.
• Linen creases very easily. Iron clothing on a hot linen setting before it is
completely dry or use a steam iron to remove creases more easily.
• Linen needs to be fully dry before storage as it is prone to mildew

Question 10

FIBRES DIAGRAM

Answer 10

NATURAL: HUMAN MADE:
Animal- Plant- Synthetic- Regenerated-
wool cotton polyester vicose rayon
silk linen nylon acetate
elastane

Question 11

Human-made fibres – Synthetic fabrics

Answer 11

Source- Made in factories
using coal, oil and
other chemicals
Examples:
polyester, nyton,
acrylic and
elastane (Lycras)
properties- Strong
Durable
Do not absorb
moisture
Can lose their shape
and burn/mett under
too much heat
uses- Polyester: shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts,
trousers, suits, bed linen, cushions
Nylon: tights, rain jackets, linings (of
skirts, dresses and trousers), carpets,
net curtains, tents, sleeping bags
Acrylic: jumpers, blankets, cushions
Elastane (Lycra”): sportswear, leggings

Question 12

Human-made fibres - Regenerated fabrics

Answer 12

source- Made using natural
materials, e.g.
cotton or wood
waste, mixed with
Chemicols
Examples: viscose
ravon and acetate
properties- Drape wel
Codl
Absorb moisture
well
Weak when wet
uses- Viscose rayon and acetate: dresses,
linings, shirts, shorts, coats, jackets, bed
linen, cushions, upholstery

Question 13

Human-made fibres – Care

Answer 13

Synthetic and regenerated fabrics will last if they are properly cared for.
• Hand- or machine-wash in warm water (50 °C or below).
• If hotter water is used, the items will lose their shape or discolour, e.g.
whites will go grey.
• Most can be tumbled dried on a medium or cool setting.
• These fabrics do not crease easily. If they need to be ironed, use a cool
synthetic setting or they will melt/scorch.

Question 14

Care labels

Answer 14

Care labels on clothing and household textiles give you instructions on how to
care for these items. Care labels use written instructions and/or symbols. These
symbols are used worldwide. They follow the international care labelling system
devised by the International Association for Textile Care Labelling. Care labels
use five basic symbols.

Question 15

Care labels – Washing

Answer 15

1. Water temperature: cool, warm or hot
2. Wash action: how fast the machine moves the clothes around during the cycle
3. Spin length: full spin, short spin, slow wool cycle spin
   The water temperature is written inside the washtub symbol. The bar under the
   washtub tells you the correct wash action and spin length for the item you are
   washing. If you choose to handwash the item, a single or a broken bar tells you not
   to rub or wring it.

Question 16

Care Labels Ironing

Answer 16

Hot iron * (cotton,linen)
Warm iron(wool,polyester,silk)
Cool iron*(nylon,vicose rayon,arcrylic)

Question 17

Guidelines to follow when washing clothes

Answer 17

Repair any clothing that needs mending, as the wash action
will make a hole or tear bigger.
• Check the care label to check how the clothing should be
washed.
• Empty all pockets so that the pocket contents are not
destroyed.
• Sort clothes according to their care label and colour
• Do not overload the machine, as clothes will not wash
properly.
• Choose a suitable washing detergent and fabric conditioner.
• Choose the correct programme.The wrong programme will
damage clothingRepair any clothing that needs mending, as the wash action
will make a hole or tear bigger.
• Check the care label to check how the clothing should be
washed.
• Empty all pockets so that the pocket contents are not
destroyed.
• Sort clothes according to their care label and colour
• Do not overload the machine, as clothes will not wash
properly.
• Choose a suitable washing detergent and fabric conditioner.
• Choose the correct programme.The wrong programme will
damage clothing

Question 18

Guidelines to follow when removing stains

Answer 18

Act quickly or the stain will set.
• Do not rub the stain into the fabric – blot or scrape off as much as you can
so that the stain does not set into the fabric.
• Use the mildest treatment first such as soaking in cold water, so that you
are not using chemicals unnecessarily.
• Try natural stain removers such as lemon juice or baking soda before
chemical ones, as they are more environmentally friendly and less
expensive.
• If you have to use a chemical stain remover, test it on a small unseen area,
e.g. inside the hem, in case the remover damages the fabric

Question 19

1protein stains:blood,egg,gravy
2Chewing gum
3Lipstick

Answer 19

1.Soak in salt and cold water than wash
1.Soak in warm water with an enzyme biological detergent
2.freeze then pick off
2.grease solvent
3.dab with baby wipe
3.Specalist stain remover

Question 20

4Grass
5Tea/coffee
6Red Wine
7Perspiration/sweat

Answer 20

4.dab with white vinegar then wash
4.methylated spirits
5.white vinegar
5.soak in warm water with an enzyme biological detergent
6.white wine/salt
6.specalist stain remover
7.sponge area with lemon juice then wash
7.soak in warm water with an enzyme biological detergent

Question 21

8Chocolate
9Grease and oil
10Ink
11Mildew

Answer 21

8.glycerine then wash in hot water
8.specalistt stain remover
9.chalk/baking soda
9.grease solvent
10.use toothpaste and brush
10.specalist stain remover
11.2 cups of vinegar in machine wash
11.soak in mild bleach solution
colours treat with hydrogen peroxide

Question 22

Commercial stain removers

Answer 22

There is a wide variety of commercial stain removers on the
market today.
• Some have chemicals in them that treat a variety of different
stains, e.g. Vanish Oxi Action.
• Some are specific to certain types of stains, e.g. Stain Devils
Mud, Grass & Make-up.
When using these products, always follow instructions
carefully and obey safety warnings such as:
• use in a ventilated area, as some can give off dangerous fumes
• use gloves, as some contain chemicals that irritate the skin
• keep away from naked flames, as some can be flammable
• store away from children, as some can be poisonous

Question 23

Detergents

Answer 23

Detergents, such as Persil and Ariel, help to
remove dirt and stains from clothes.
Detergents are available in powder, liquid,
liquitab or tablet form

Question 24

Biological detergents

Answer 24

Biological detergents contain enzymes that break down
stains. They work best at 40 °C because they are from
biological (animal) sources, and this is approximately body
temperature

Question 25

Non-biological detergents

Answer 25

Non-biological detergents do not contain enzymes.
Generally, clothes have to be washed at higher temperatures
for the detergent to work well.

Question 26

Detergents for delicates

Answer 26

Detergents for delicates do not contain harsh chemicals such
as bleach and are suitable for delicate fabrics, e.g. silk

Question 27

Eco-friendly detergents

Answer 27

Eco-friendly detergents are less harmful to the environment
than regular detergents, as the ingredients used are from
natural rather than chemical sources. Many work well at 30 °C
or lower, requiring less electricity usage

Question 28

Fabric conditioners

Answer 28

Fabric conditioners (e.g. Comfort and Lenor) are
added while rinsing clothes. They:
• soften clothes and textiles
• reduce static electricity in synthetic fabrics
• help to reduce creasing, making clothes easier to iron
• give clothes a nice scent

Question 29

Advantages of tumble drying

Answer 29

Quick and convenient
• Removes creases, cutting down on ironing
• Softens items, such as bath towels
• Keeps the house tidy in wet weather, as
clothing is not hanging up inside

Question 30

Disadvantages of tumble drying

Answer 30

Uses a lot of electricity
• Expensive to run
• Some fabrics will shrink if tumble dried, e.g. wool
• Some fabrics will discolour if tumble dried, e.g.
white synthetic fabrics will go grey

Question 31

Ironing

Answer 31

Many modern fabrics are treated with
crease-resistant finishes that mean they do
not have to be ironed. For other fabrics,
ironing removes creases, making them look
better.

Question 32

Guidelines for ironing

Answer 32

Check the care label for the correct iron setting. Using too hot a
setting may scorch or melt the fabric (wool, silk or human-made).
Using too cool a setting means the creases will not come out
(cotton, linen).
• Iron delicate fabrics inside out to prevent them become shiny or
marked.
• Iron clothes while they are still slightly damp or use a steam iron.

Question 33

Environmentally friendly textile care

Answer 33

Textile care, i.e. washing, drying and ironing, can have a
negative impact on the environment.
• Washing machines use a lot of water.
• Tumble driers use a lot of electrical energy.
• Many washing detergents, bleaches and fabric conditioners
contain harmful chemicals that can cause water pollution.
• Textile care products are often sold in plastic packaging that is not
biodegradable and harms the environment.

Question 34

Reducing the impact of textile care on the environment

Answer 34

Remove stains using natural stain removers, as these are more
environmentally friendly than commercial ones.
• Wash clothes on an energy saving/economy cycle. Although this cycle
generally lasts longer, it uses cooler water (normally 30 °C or below) or
heats it more slowly and so uses less energy.
• Wait until you have a full load of washing. If you only have a few items
consider handwashing them, as this uses less water.
• Use eco-friendly washing detergents, such as Ecover and Lilly’s Eco Clean,
as they are less harmful to the environment

Question 35

Reducing the impact of textile care on the environment cont

Answer 35

Choose textile care products packaged in cardboard
instead of plastic, as cardboard is biodegradable and can
be recycled.
• Dry clothes outside or inside on a clothes horse as
this does not use electrical energy. Avoid using the tumble
drier whenever possible.
• Check the energy rating on tumble driers, washing
machines and irons. Choose appliances with an A
rating.