National Clothesline

etcleaning is a process using water to clean and restore fabrics to a wearable condition. The wetcleaning process is not a new concept. As a former drycleaner 35 years ago, I and many cleaners wetcleaned thousands of garments to achieve proper stain removal and restoration of the fabric.

The wetcleaning process for many years was not widely used as cleaners opted instead to use moisture batch runs and pre-spotting for wet side stain removal. This way saved time in processing and finishing.

The modem day cleaner is, however, involved in more wetcleaning due to many changes. This includes change in style and the shift toward casual wear. The work environment is leaning toward more casual wear for at least one working day a week. This means that the working class wears casual wear for at least 20 percent of their working time. This shift toward casual wear is extending worldwide, including Japan.

Another reason for more wetcleaning is the controversy in using solvents and the consumer’s perception of drycleaning solvents. More customers are requesting for garments to be cleaned without solvents.

Cleaners who wetclean will also find a way to process garments that are unserviceable to drycleaning. The modern day drycleaner is exposed to better wetcleaning equipment as well as better wetcleaning detergents, prespotters and finishing agents.

With proper techniques, wetcleaning can:

1. Remove stains and soil.

2. Prevent shrinkage.

3. Reduce wrinkles.

4. Restore unwearable garments.

5. Process garments that are unserviceable to drycleaning,

6. Restore wedding gown and antique clothing.

Wetcleaning equipment

There are many new types of wetcleaning equipment on the market. This includes sophisticated commercial washing machines with controlled agitation and extraction. New dryers can measure the moisture in a fabric as well as controlling the heat and mechanical action.

Some wetcleaning equipment injects air combined with agitation to create a bubbling effect on the garment. There are washing basins that inject air to create agitation as well as heating elements that control temperature.

The purpose here is to talk about the chemistry of wetcleaning, which can be used with the most inexpensive home washing machine and dryer, as well as the most expensive sophisticated machinery on the market.

We can do bath bleaching in five-gallon pails or sophisticated wetcleaning equipment. Some new pressing equipment is an aid to wetcleaned garments, but finishing will be adequate with the normal finishing equipment owned in most drycleaning plants.

Water

Water is the medium to accomplish wetcleaning, but by itself water is a poor cleaning agent. Water, in conjunction with a proper detergent, becomes an effective cleaning agent.

The poor effect of just plain water can be readily observed by its inability to even rinse chemicals out of a fabric. The chemistry of wetcleaning adds detergents and chemicals to achieve proper stain removal.

Water alone does not give a fabric the desired feel and texture. It can be readily observed that when a fabric is rinsed in water and allowed to hang dry, the fabric is stiff, scratchy and wrinkled. With the proper detergents, sizing, finishing agents and drying techniques the fabric condition is greatly improved.

In order to utilize water properly, the cleaner should understand the chemistry and properties of water.

Properties of water

Dipolar. A water molecule (H20) is laid out like a triangle:

The Hydrogen and Oxygen components of water are attracted to each other, forming a very stable molecule.

Surface tension. The dipolar property of water and its characteristic to stay next to other water molecules create surface tension. The high surface tension of water is the reason why water by itself is a poor cleaning agent.

The surface tension of water can be illustrated by insects floating in water and by water’s ability to even float a needle on the its surface.

Hard water. When water contains salts of Calcium and Magnesium it is referred to as “hard water.” Hard water reduces the efficiency of soap and even synthetic detergents. Calcium ions found in hard water attach themselves to the heads of the surfactants, thus reducing the cleaning action of the detergent. Hard water is difficult to rinse from fabrics and also leaves a residue on fabrics, causing them to become gray, stiff and harsh.

Phosphates, although illegal in many states, electrically soak up stray Calcium minerals from the wash water. The detergent manufacturers’ technical people can measure and can reduce the hardness of water by various techniques. The technique used will depend upon the type and degree of hardness present in the water. Hard water is more of a problem when doing laundry rather than wetcleaning.

Dissolving. Water has the ability to dissolve certain substances such as sugar, salt and starch. Water by itself has no ability to dissolve grease, oil, wax or dislodge soil from clothes. Water has no chemical action or ability to remove dye or staining that has set or oxidized.

Dan Eisen recently retired as chief garment analyst for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association after 33 years with that organization. He is available for seminars, consultations and independent garment analysis. He also has published a book, “The Art of Spotting,” which is an indexed compilation of articles he wrote for National Clothesline and NCA over the past three decades. He can be reached at (772) 340-0909. His address is 274 NW Toscane Trail, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986. His e-mail address is cleandan@adelphia.net.