From: frampton@vicuna.ocunix.on.ca (Steve Frampton)
Newsgroups: alt.fashion,alt.sewing,rec.arts.crafts.textiles
Subject: Fabric Care
Keywords: fabric care
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 16:51:53 EDT
Reply-To: fenny@vicuna.ocunix.on.ca
Followup-To: alt.fashion
Distribution: world
Organization: Vicuna Systems, Kingston, ON (613) 547-5066

Hi everyone.

Gleaned (without permission) from "Fibre and Fabric Facts", published by
Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada (compiled by Canadian Textiles
Institute), here are some handy instructions for caring for a variety of
fabrics.

For your interest, you can request this document (which contains a
*great* deal more information than is posted here) by writing to:

  Canadian Textiles Institute        Minister of Supply and Services
  Suite 1002, Commerce House         Cat. No. RG31-7/1975
  1080 Beaver Hall Hill              ISBN 0-662-00588-0
  Montreal, PQ  H2Z 1T6


Cotton 
------
Medium strong, durable, absorbent, easily dyed, excellent launderability.
Wrinkles readily unless protected by finish; can be damaged by mildew.

Usually washable, consult labels for treatment for special instructions.
Iron damp on wrong side with hot iron.  Cotton bleaches readily except
some finishes and colourings.


Linen (flax)
------------
Same as cotton except has superior strength especially when wet; very
absorbent.

[Care for] same as for cotton.


Wool & other animal hair fibres (angora goat hair,
alpaca, camel, cashmere, mohair, vicuna)
--------------------------------------------------
Warm, resilient, medium strength, absorbent, dyes readily, flame-
resistant, dries slowly, felts in hot water with agitation.

Dry clean unless labelled or known to be washable.  Launder sweaters
in luke-warm water, little rubbing or wringing.  Lay flat to dry and
ease into shape.  If sweaters labelled "machine washable" follow label
instructions.  Hang all garments carefully and "rest" between wearings.


Silk
----
Fine, strong fibre with lustrous finish, drapes well, absorbent,
resilient, dyes readily; damaged by chlorine bleaches, perspiration
and sunlight.

Dry clean, unless labelled or known to be washable.  Iron on wrong side
or with press cloth, moderate hot iron.  Frequent cleaning desirable.


Rayon
-----
Absorbent, dyes readily, moth-resistant; can be damaged by mildew;
special finishes will give properties of crease resistance and water
repellancy.  Yarns can be medium or high strength.

Dry clean fabrics unless labelled washable.  When laundered, can be
ironed as for cotton; iron damp on wrong side.  Avoid chlorine bleaches.


Acetate
-------
Low to moderate strength, resilient, good drape, little or no shrinkage,
moth, mildew and mold resistant; require special dying procedures; melts
at high temperatures.

If washable, launder by hand, do not wring; iron damp on wrong side at
low temperature.  Avoid chlorine bleach.


Triacetate
----------
Higher wet strength than regular acetate (diacetate); withstands higher
temperatures, dyes readily; resists shrinkage, and moths; takes durable
pleats.

Launder by hand or machine in warm water; easily ironed (some fabrics
need very little).  Readily dry cleaned.


Acrylic
-------
Thermoplastic, strong, lightweight, low absorbency, takes brilliant fast
colours.  Good bulking power.  Mildew and moth resistant.  Excellent
resistance to degradation from sunlight exposure.

Washable by hand or machine in soap or detergent.  If automatic dryer
used, temperature low.  Deep pile fabrics or artificial fur fabrics
should be cleaned by fur cleaning processes, unless labelled washable.


Nylon
-----
Superior strength and abrasion resistance, low absorbency, resilient.
Lightweight and thermoplastic (yarns can be heat-set for stretch or
texture -- fabrics for smooth finish).  Fabrics dry quickly.

Washable by hand or machine in soap or detergent.  Drip dry when hand
washing.  If automatic dryer used, keep temperature low.  Little or no
ironing needed.  Iron also at low temperature.  Wash white items alone
and turn knitted garments inside out when laundering.

Polyester
---------
Second only to nylon in strength but less extensible, lightweight and
abrasion resistant.  Lower moisture pickup than nylon (therefore faster
drying).  Resilient and versatile for blending with natural, man-made
fibres.

Washable by hand or machine in soap or detergent.  Drip dry when hand
washing.  If automatic dryer used, keep temperature low.  Little or no
ironing needed.  Iron also at low temperature.  Wash white items alone
and turn knitted garments inside out when laundering.


Olefin
------
Lightweight, strong, thermoplastic and resilient.  Resists sunlight and
chemical deterioration.  Can be solution dyed.

Care instructions as for other thermoplastic wash and wear fibres.
Should not be dry cleaned.  If ironing needed, keep temperature low.


Spandex
-------
Used in conjunction with a supporting material to add extensibility and
recovery properties.  Lightweight and can be readily dyed.

Wash in warm water by hand and drip dry.  Can be dried by machine but
only with low temperature.  Avoid chlorine bleach.


If you desire further information send mail to Fenny 
(fenny@vicuna.ocunix.on.ca).

----------------------------------------------------
frampton@vicuna.ocunix.on.ca (Steve Frampton)
Vicuna Systems BBS - 613/547-5066 [9600 v.32/.42bis]
Newsgroups: alt.fashion