National Clothesline

A study of effective ways to clean fabrics damaged by mold is nearing completion. IFI, the FabriCare Foundation, the Alliance of Professional Restoration Drycleaners, and the Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network are working together in the study.

IFI finished its phase of the study March 11, after the University of South Florida grew the fungal mycelia stachybotrys and aspergillus on four fabric types (cotton, polyester, wool, and silk).

The fabric samples were sent to IFI to be cleaned and tested. IFI cleaned each set of fabrics using both perchloroethylene and petroleum solvent in drycleaning, and commercial laundering in hot water with and without bleach.

During the cleaning process, IFI took samples of the solvent, rinse water, filters, and balance load to be analyzed for cross contamination by an independent laboratory.

After cleaning the fabrics, one set containing the aspergillus fungi was pressed both with and without steam. Only one fabric type — wool — was tested after each cleaning method to see if there was a change in the tensile strength of the infected fabric.

The fabric and contamination samples currently are in the process of being analyzed for any existing allergenic mycelium activity by STL/P&K Microbiology Services Inc. in New Jersey. Results will be published in the near future.

ACCOMPANYING PICTURE WITH CAPTION:

Sorting through fabric samples in IFI's textile testing lab as part of the second phase of the mold study are, from left, Mary Scalco, IFI's senior vice president; Adrienne Rybak, IFI's manager of textile testing; and Dr. Ralph Moon, principal scientist in Air Quality Services at Hildebrand, Scott & Associates.