TREATING DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIBRES
Fibres can be classified into two types, synthetic fibres and natural fibres. Synthetic fibres are the fibres which are manmade, for example, Rayon, Nylon, Acrylic etc.,. Natural fibres are the fibres which are obtained naturally, for example, Cotton, Wool, Silk. Each of the fibres has different properties and requires different ways of washing and handling them. So here in this article, we will discuss some of them.
ACETATE
Acetate is a man-made fibre. It is created from the cellulose like substance obtained from the pulp of the wood in the trees. It is a sort of semi synthetic fibre and it is often mixed with material like silk and cotton to give it a stronger base. But what makes it better from the synthetic fibres is that it absorbs moisture easily providing a high level of comfort to the person wearing it. It is also an environmentally friendly fabric as it obtained from wood, a renewable source of energy and it is also easily decomposed. Acetate is used in making blouses, dresses, linings, curtains, bedspreads etc.
Acetate is a soft and delicate fibre which requires hand wash. it should be washed gently in cold water using some light-duty detergent. Twisting or wringing the fibre may damage it. This fibre also gets weak when wet so mainly professional dry cleaning is suggested for the same. This fibre is also heat sensitive so it must be ironed at low heat.
NYLON
Nylon is a man-made fibre and it is also known as a textile fibre. It was the first synthetic fibre ever made. Nylon does not easily absorb water and this property provides a lot of benefits. It is a wrinkle-resistant fibre. This fibre is easy to wash and wear and also dries very quickly. With using the right amount of heat a permanent crease can be made on this cloth. It is often mixed with cotton or wool to make it crease-resistant. Most commonly used synthetic fibre. It is used in making dresses, gowns, veils, swimsuits etc.
Nylon fibre should be washed in cold water without using a chlorine-based detergent. A mild detergent should be used to wash nylon-based clothes. Nylon is also generally machine washable. As nylon dries easily, air drying is the best option to dry nylon clothes. A low heat is required to iron nylon.
LINEN
Linen is a natural fibre. It is made from the fibre of the flax plant. Linen is stronger and brighter than cotton but also catches wrinkles very easily. This fibre, unlike other fibres, has the ability to protect itself from the sunlight and also gets less affected by heat as compared to any cotton. It also has a high resistance to alkalis. This fibre also revitalises the skin and provides a cool and healing effect on the skin of the wearer. Linen is generally used in making sarees, shirts and trousers.
Linen should be washed with either cold or lukewarm water. A mild, non-acid based detergent should be used to wash it. Wringing should be avoided if the fiber is hand washed. It also dries quickly so air drying is suggested to keep the fiber long alive. As linen easily catches wrinkles medium or high heat setting should be used while ironing linen clothes until the wrinkles are completely removed.
COTTON
Cotton is a natural fibre. It is used in most of the clothing materials. This fibre is made from the small tufts of fibre found in a certain family of seedpods; cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. It is durable, cheap and easy to manufacture. Cotton is a high-water absorbing material and takes time in drying. It is also an inelastic and rigid fibre. It is generally used in making bedspreads, shirts, t -shirts, sarees, sheets etc.
Cotton shirts and sheets are common in usage. They are machine washable and dryable too. You can iron the wrinkles out. Temperature must be set according to the colour. You can usually wash white cottons in hot water, and warm or cool water is used for colours. Due care must be taken drying cotton clothes because this cloth tends to shrink easily.
ACRYLIC
Acrylic fibre is made from basic acrylic acid. This is a man-made fibre and it is the most used synthetic fibre after nylon. This fabric has been around since the 1940s. It is used generally in making winter clothes such as sweaters, shawls, stalls etc., either alone or mixed with wool. Acrylic is machine washable in warm water, but since it’s often paired with other fibres. Acrylic fibre can be ironed but at a medium temperature. Always Handle acrylic garments with care. Those balls of fibre that show up on these clothes look bad and shorten their usage. To remove them a tint shaver can be used.
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