Ta260305 Calibre Top Stiffening Of Fabric After Cleaning

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TA260305 – Calibre top with stiffening of fabric after cleaning

Issue:  This top was initially drycleaned but then also washed in wool detergent to get some stains out.

After the wool wash the drycleaner dried it flat but the texture became significantly stiffer and steaming the garment did not make any difference.

DIA Technical officer advice was:

1. The stiffening of the cotton and nylon mix after drycleaning and hand washing is primarily caused by residue buildup from detergents or cleaning solvents and even when hand washing, if the wool detergent is not thoroughly rinsed out it leaves behind a soapy residue.  As the water evaporates the detergent dries and leaves a stiff film on the cotton fibres.  Sometimes too much detergent  in a small amount of water makes it  difficult to rinse thoroughly.
2. Air drying flat allows the residue to dry slowly which causes the fabric to become stiff locking the fibres into a rigid state

 
How to fix: 

1. Soak the pullover in a conditioner solution water for about 10-15 minutes this acts like a natural softer and neutralizes detergent build up.
2. Then make sure you rinses the pullover a few times in warm water then wrap in a towel for support and use the spin cycle spin to remove excess water.
3. Depending on your dryer, you could dry for 5-10 minutes low temp to further break down any residue.
4. Then dry flat when completely dry , tumble dry for about 3- 5minutes low temp this should amend the problem