Home Science Chapter 21 Care, Maintenance And Storage Of Clothes

(i) It should not be tumble dried.

(ii) It should be ironed at low heat.

Indicators by which we know that the dress has been cut along the selvedge.

1. Good drape
2. Garment hangs well
3. Stretches widthwise
4. Comfortable to wear
5. Printed company name will be seen right along the selvedge.

(i) It should have a dense weave.
(ii) The fabric of blended fibre is more durable.
(iii) It should not get torn easily.
(iv)  It should have a high thread count.

(i) Skin clothes should be a soft material so that it does not make any rashes or itching on the skin.
(ii) Clothes should be comfortable.
(iii) Use Elastic should not be tight.
(iv) Extra allowance at hem and seams.

1. She must have washed the cloth with hot boiling water.
2. She must have kept it moist.
3. She must not have put talcum powder on the stain before washing.
4. she must not have used a proper stain remover.

1. She must have kept the cloth without proper folding.
2. She must have not use insecticide in the almirah.
3. She must have put some other dirty clothes along in the almirah.
4. She must have not used mothballs.

(i) It should not be tumble dried..

(ii) It should not be bleached.

1. Dress hangs unevenly
2. Does not stretch widthwise
3. Printed company name will not be seen.

Features to check in fabric to ensure its quality:

1. It should be stain resistant.
2. High thread count
3. Mercerized /sanforized finish
4. Warp and weft yarns are along the grain
5. Uniform yarns
6. Uniform prints/not faded

Stain removal

1. She used wrong chemicals.
2. She used wrong procedure.
3. Did not rinse all traces of chemicals.

Storing

1. Did not remove starch/ gum
2. Did not wash them before storing
3. Did not dry completely /did not keep them in dry place
4. Did not spray boxes with insecticide
5. Did not remove all pins before storing
6. Did not line storage box with newspapers.

Detergents contain:

1. long chain hydrocarbon from petroleum.
2. Sulphuric acid
3. Sodium hydroxide
4. Surfactants
5. Foaming agents
6. Optical bleaches.

The process of removing dirt:

The cleansing action of soap is due to emulsification and micelle formation. Soaps are sodium salts of higher fatty acids such as sodium stearate, C17H35COO–Na+, which ionises as

The anionic head of stearate ion (—COO–) is hydrophobic in nature and has a great affinity for water, while the hydrocarbon part (C17H35) is hydrophobic in nature and great affinity for oil grease etc.

When soap is added to water containing dirt, the soap molecules surround to dirt particles in such a manner that their hydrophobic parts attached to the dirt molecules and the hydrophilic parts point away from the dirt molecule.

This is known as micelle formation thus we can say that the polar group dissolves in water while the non-polar group dissolves in the dirt particles. Now these micelles are negatively charged they do not coalesce and a stable emulsion is formed.

Chemical for coffee stains-

1. A chemical which will help her to remove the coffee stains is borax.
2. Borax can also use to remove tea stain.

Chemical for grease stain-

1. A chemical which will help her to remove the grease stain is a methylated spirit or any other organic solvent such as petrol or kerosene.
2. Methylated spirit can also use to remove lipstick stain or ball pen ink stain.

Precautions for removing stains

1. Choose the right chemical and right amount as per the stain and fabric
2. Before using chemical on the fabric, it is a good idea to test the chemical in a hidden corner of the fabric.
3. Always use diluted chemical and repeat if necessary.
4. Work in a circular motion starting from outer towards the centre.
5. Neutralize chemical with appropriate reagents.
6. Rinse all traces of chemicals immediately after removing the stains.

Price of a fabric depends on the -

1. The width of the fabric, more width more expensive.
2. Quality of fabric, more the better quality more expensive.

(i) Use any absorbent like paper/ chalk/ powder to absorb oil.

(ii) Lay the garment flat so the stain is facing up. Cover the stain with baking soda, cornstarch or baby powder. The powder on the stain for at least an hour to allow it time to work.

(iii) Brush away the powder into the trash.

(iv) Cover the stain with a liquid laundry detergent and soak for at least 15 minutes. 

(v) Wash it with hot water.