Compositions for laundering and subsequently drying delicate garments without incurring any damage and methods to use them

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for wet-cleaning, in professional or household washing machine equipment, and subsequent drying in a tumbler dryer, of garments made of protein-fibers (animal based fibers) such as wool, cashmere, silk and other sensitive fibers. Using water and certain additives instead of organic solvents, these compositions enable the cleaning, including oil stains removal, and subsequent drying without incurring dimensional changes, shrinkage, surface damages, dye or color loss of dry clean only labeled garments or other delicate garments labeled for special care.

Description

Background technique [0001] The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the wet cleaning (including removal of oil stains) of sensitive garments and other fabrics made from water-sensitive protein fibers such as wool, cashmere or silk, and subsequent washing in the drum. Drying in the dryer without any dimensional changes, surface breakage and loss of dye or color. The compositions and methods of use thereof find application in professional or household cleaning processes. [0002] Sensitive clothing and other fabrics can be washed and dried in a variety of ways using professional wet or dry cleaning methods or modern household laundry equipment. Sensitive items including clothing and fabrics made of wool, silk, rayon, animal hair, animal skins and blends have a tendency to shrink when washed in water. To avoid shrinkage from washing, many of these sensitive garments and fabrics are often dry cleaned. [0003] dry cleaning [0004] By definition, the ter...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, similar to modern wet cleaning, this still requires the clothes to be hung to dry, which often still causes fiber bonding and rough clothes surfaces

Use of softeners can cause residue and leave a "greasy" texture

[0032] Traditionally, wet cleaning operations have not been able to compete with dry cleaning due to the lack of methods and technologies that have prevented all laundry from being cleaned in water and done in a similar time frame.