Bleach
Bleach is normally used to whiten and brighten laundary products and also
for removing stains and soil. Bleach acts via a process of oxidation. It
breaks the soil into soluble particles, resulting in easy washing with the
use of detergents.
There are two types of bleach:
Chlorine Bleach - Chlorine bleaches are the most powerful type and
is a 5.25% solution of sodium hypochloride. It must be diluted with water
for safe use on fabrics. The liquid version is the most common. A dry form
is also available. It also acts as a disinfectant on bacteria and viruses.
Liquid chlorine bleach has a limited shelf life. If more than six months
old, it may have no effect on stains, and should be replaced.
All-Fabric Bleach - All-Fabric Bleach is usually known as safe for
all fabrics and colors. It works more slowly than chlorine bleach and may
contain sodium perborate or sodium precarbonate.
Important:
- Before using bleach, always check for color fastness first by following
instructions on the container
- Read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the fabric care
label regarding the use of bleach.
- Do not use bleach on silk, acetate, wool, spandex, polypropylene foam,
some flame retardant fabrics, or rubber, or with rubber or spandex elastic.
- Repeated us can weaken cellulosic fibers.
- Never pour full-strength bleach into a washer load.
-Never mix bleach with ammonia .
Color Removers
Color removers can be used to remove color stains or to simply remove any
color. However, prints and some dyes can´t be completely removed. It
may be possible, in some cases, to remove enough color to permit redyeing to
another color. Color removers can also help to remove brown rust stains from
clothes, to whiten dingy gray colors.
Caution: Color removers will work to strip away all colors.
Therefore, they are usually used on white fabrics or when all fabric color
is to be removed. Read product package carefully before purchasing for
proper usage.
Detergents
Detergent is a common laundary product and is used to help remove soils and
stains. They perform well in a broad range of water hardness levels. They
have, hence, replaced soap as the cleaning agent of choice. Detergents are
available in both granule and liquid forms. It is advisable to follow the
package directions for proper use.
Granules are effective for heavily soiled clothes to lightly soiled
delicate washable items. Heavy-duty liquid detergents can be used for
general laundry needs, but are especially good for removing food, oil, and
grease stains from clothes. Liquid detergents dissolve easily regardless of
the water temperature.
Most detergents contain enzymes to assist in removing food stains, i.e.
amylase for starch, protease for proteins, and lipase for fats. Most
detergents today contain few or no phosphates. Although phosphates can boost
cleaning, local laws often prohibit phosphates for environmental reasons.
Detergent Boosters
Boosters essentially condition the water to optimize the detergent´s
cleaning action. These products are especially effective in hard water and
are used to enhance the cleaning power of the detergent. They should be used
as per the recommended amount of detergent for a specific size of wash load.
Disinfectants
Chlorine bleach is the most common disinfectant. Disinfectants are normally
used while washing clothes in a machine. It is used to kill and prevent the
spread of germs from clothes of the sick, or to wash clothes that have
become contaminated from raw sewage, such as flood-soiled items.
Dry Cleaning Fluid
Dry Cleaning fluid is a chemical product normally used by commerical dry
cleaners, and also available for purchase over-the-counter. The fluid is
primarily used as a solvent to dissolve certain stains on both washable and
dry-cleanable fabrics.
Caution: Dry cleaning fluid is extremely toxic. Read and follow the
instructions and warnings on the product label regarding handling,
ventilation, and flammability. Never use in the washing machine or dryer.
Dyes
Dyes are liquid coloring matter which is used to add or alter the color or
hue of a fabric. There are both commercial and natural dyes available in the
market used for dyeing fabrics. Read product package before purchasing to
verify product is appropriate for your fabric/fiber content, and for
directions on proper useag
Enzyme Presoak Products
Enzyme presoak products are used to break down protein stains like grass,
blood, and hard stains, so that they can more effectively be removed by
regular detergents. Most detergents also contain enzymes.
The cellulose enzyme is claimed to remove fuzzy surface fibers and pills
from the ends of cellulosic fibers and fabrics (i.e. cotton, linen, ramie,
washable rayon, washable acetate, and lyocell).
Fabric Finishing
(Sizing)
Fabric finishes and sizings available in spray form, are developed
specifically for fabrics made from manufactured fibers, since these products
can be used with the lower ironing temperatures recommended for these
fabrics. These products add body to the fabric, create soil resistance, make
ironing easier, and provide for better soil removal in the wash.
Fabric Freshners
It is a fabric treatment product, usually available in the form of a spray,
used to provide a fresh fragrance or mask unpleasant odors.
Fabric Softeners
These products make fabrics softer and fluffier, and they also decrease
static cling. Other less obvious benefits include the reduction of drying
time and the reduction of wrinkling, which makes ironing easier. Available
both in the liquid form for use in the final rinse stage of the wash and as
packets and dryer sheets for use in the dryer.
Caution : Fabric softeners can reduce the effectiveness of flame
retardancy on fabrics, reduce the absorbency of cotton towels, and can
inhibit the moisture management characteristics of high performance fabrics
used in active sportswear.
Presoak Products
Products that can be used for pre-soaking garments generally include
detergents, soaps, and other laundry additives. Soaking helps the fabric to
loosen heavy soils. A product containing enzymes work well in removing
protein-based stains. A typical soaking time is about 30 minutes. Follow the
label directions for appropriate soaking times.
Warning: Garments containing spandex should be soaked separately and
for a shorter time period as yellowing can occur if soaked too long.
Pretreatment
Products
Pretreatment products are solvent-based (either petroleum or detergent
based), while laundry detergents are surfactant-based. Pretreatment products
work well especially for removing oil-based stains from such manufactured
fabrics as polyester, and are effective on old or set stains.
These products are used to pretreat stains before laundering. Pretreatment
products are available as aerosols, pump sprays, sticks, and liquids.
Rust Remover
Rust remover helps remove rust stains from washable fabrics and other
washable surfaces. These products are composed of reducing agents or acid
ingredients, and are available in liquid, powder, or gel form.
Caution: Carefully read and follow instructions on handling and
useage. Rust removers that contain hydrofluoric acid are extremely toxic,
can burn the skin, and will damage the porclain finish on appliances and
sinks.
Stain Remover
Stain remover products are generally used to assist in the removal of a
small stained area on washable fabrics.
There are some stain removers available in the market, which work on one
common group of stains, such as grease, protein, dye, or tannin stains.
There are also products available for treating a particular type of stain,
such as adhesives, or ink stains.
Starch
Starch is used to add body to the fabric. It also creates soil resistance
and makes a fabric crisp, making ironing easier. Starch works best on 100%
cotton and cotton blends.
Water Softeners
Hard water normally withers the quality of fabric. Water softeners work on
the chemical components present in hard water. By removing or inactivating
calcium and magnesium ions, the water is made softer and a detergent's
cleaning action is enhanced.
Whiteners
Whiteners are also referred to as bluings, brighteners, or optical
brighteners. These agents are used by the detergent industry to create a
visual whitening or brightening effect on fabric. The effectiveness of the
whiteners varies with the type of fabric and the concentration in the wash
water. Whiteners are contained in all purpose soaps and detergents, and some
light duty laundry aid products.
Fabric
Care Products 
