Care Handling of Different Fabrics: Textiles III – JSS3 Home Economics Lesson Note (Second Term)

Care and handling of fabrics means washing, drying, ironing and storing clothes properly so that they last longer, stay clean and are free from disease-carrying germs and pests.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the reasons for caring for clothing;
2. name the laundry agents and state the use of each;
3. list the equipment and tools used for collecting, washing, drying and ironing clothes;
4. list, in order, the steps in laundering fabrics;
5. state how common fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk and synthetics are cared for.

What is laundering?

Laundering is the process of washing, drying and ironing clothes and household linen.

• Laundry agents: water, soap, bleach and stiffening agents are used to clean and finish the clothes.
• Equipment: suitable tools are used at each stage, from collecting to ironing.
• Set steps: the work follows an order, from sorting to folding and storage.

Why do we care for clothing?

We care for clothing to make it last longer, keep it clean and keep us healthy.

1. Longer life: dirt can damage fabrics, so clean clothes last longer.
2. Health: washing kills disease-carrying germs and pests in the fabrics.
3. Good appearance: dirty clothes are unpleasant to look at, and clean clothes look better.
4. Saving money: clothes that last longer do not need to be replaced often.
5. Availability: clean, mended clothes are ready for wearing at any time.

What are laundry agents?

Laundry agents are the materials used to clean, whiten, stiffen and finish clothes.

1. Water: used for soaking, washing and rinsing clothes.
2. Soaps and detergents: lower the surface tension of water, remove certain stains and kill disease-carrying germs in fabrics.
3. Bleaches: make white cotton and linen fabrics whiter, remove certain stains and kill disease-carrying germs in fabrics.
4. Stiffening agents: stiffen cotton and linen fabrics and give them a smooth surface and a fresh look. Starch is a common example.
5. Stain removers: remove stains from fabrics.

Points to remember when using laundry agents

• Soft water: forms lather easily with soap, so less soap is needed.
• Hard water: forms little lather, so more soap or detergent is needed.
• Bleach: use only on white cotton and linen. Do not use it on wool and silk.
• Instructions: read the label and measure the agent correctly.

What equipment and tools are used for laundry?

Laundry equipment is grouped by the job it does: collecting, washing, drying and ironing.

What are the steps in laundering fabrics?

There are twelve steps in laundering fabrics, from sorting to folding and storage.

1. Sorting: separate clothes by colour, type of fabric and how dirty they are.
2. Mending: repair tears, loose buttons and open seams so they do not get worse in the wash.
3. Stain removal: treat stains with a suitable stain remover before washing.
4. Soaking and steeping: leave the clothes in water or soap solution to loosen the dirt.
5. Washing: wash with soap or detergent, starting with the cleanest clothes.
6. Rinsing: rinse in clean water until all the soap is out.
7. Boiling: boil white cotton and linen to kill germs and remove deep dirt.
8. Bluing and stiffening: add blue to keep whites bright and starch to stiffen the fabric where needed.
9. Drying: hang clothes on a line with pegs, or on a clothes horse.
10. Finishing or ironing: press the clothes to remove creases and give a smooth finish.
11. Airing: hang the ironed clothes to remove any dampness.
12. Folding and storage: fold neatly and keep in a clean, dry wardrobe, drawer or box.

How do we care for different fabrics?

Different fabrics need different care because their fibres react differently to heat, water and bleach.

General rules for handling fabrics

• Care label: read the label on the garment before washing.
• Coloured clothes: wash separately and dry in the shade to stop fading.
• Storage: store only clean, dry clothes to prevent mould and pests.

Evaluation

1. State three reasons for caring for clothing.
2. State two uses of bleaches.
3. Name two items of equipment used for washing and two used for drying clothes.
4. What is the first step in laundering fabrics, and what is the last?
5. Why should wool not be rubbed or bleached?

Assignment

List, in order, the steps in the laundry process, and state the purpose of any three of them.