LAUNDERING PROCESS FOR

COTTON
SORTING:
Articles are sorted and placed together ,then they are divided
according to texture and use in following way :
• Table linen
• Bed linen
• Personal garments
• Handkerchiefs
All articles of one group should be kept together throughout the
washing process
Mending :
• The table linen is always mended before washing.
• The places in towels and sheets should be mended because holes in
large and heavy articles generally increase in size during washing.

Stain removal :
• stains should be given special treatment before the material is
steeped.
Stain removal chart:
Steeping :
• Steep the articles in cold water for 24 hours .
• Never steep longer in same water.
• A warm steep with addition of washing soda is effective when the
articles are badly soiled with greasy dirt .
• The groups of articles should be steeped separately .
• Clothing and handkerchiefs used during illness can be steeped using
small amount of disinfectant in the water
Action of steeping :
• It wets the fabric
• Soluble stains and protein stains are brought into solution.
• Non fixed dirt is removed from the fabric by action of pedesis
• Starch from previous laundering is softened.
Cleansing :
The most suitable cleansing is choosed by :
• The type of fabric
• The type of article
• The amount and kind of dirt present
• Number of articles to be cleansed
Hot water and soap or reliable soap powder should be used as
cleansing agent.
Rinsing :
• Rinse in warm water to remove all the soiled soapy water
Boiling :
• All bleached cotton should be boiled to help to keep the white color,
especially when outdoor drying is not possible.
• When the outdoor drying is possible,boiling is not required for every
wash.
Blueing :
• Ultramarine blue is the US freeual household blue.
• Shake out the article, dip into the blue water and blue evenly.
• Wring(squeeze) by hand.
Starching:
• Plain weave unmercerized fabrics are usually starched.
• The objective of Starching is to improve its appearance, give stiffness and
give it a glossy surface that will not soil easily.
• This method is used for table linen.
• Disadvantage is that Starching can be done only for
bleached (white) fabrics.
• Starched articles should not be left damp for long
length of time since mildew will develop.
• Squeeze and remove as much as moisture possible,
to quicken drying process.
Drying :
• Outdoor drying should be practiced whenever
possible.
• Hang the clothes thickest part. Hang them in warp
way. It helps to keep garment in good shape. Use
clips /peg to secure in place.
Discoloration :
The chief discoloration on fabrics are:
• Yellowness due to use, wear, excess use of alkaline
in cleansing process.
• Greyness due to calcium soaps penetrating the
fabric or due to excessive use of blue.
These can be avoided by:
• Careful choice of soap for cleansing process.
• Thorough rinsing after boiling.
• Correct use of blue.
• Outside drying.