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SDSU Extension Fact Sheets SDSU Extension

1963

Think When You Buy Fabric Finishes

Anna D. Walker

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Recommended Citation Walker, Anna D., "Think When You Buy Fabric Finishes" (1963). SDSU Extension Fact Sheets. 1248. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact/1248

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SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture. -n ,, ~ !ft OJ ::r ~ 0-.., ::,-· vJ ~ F=abricF=inishes n-· ~ ._ By Anna D. Walker, Extension Clothing Specialist ::r TI (D Fabric finishes play an important role in the fab­ :, ::J J ric world today. Finishes affect the properties -· and/or appearance of fabrics. Many of the satisfac­ en-· '< tions we receive from the fabric we buy can be at­ 0 :r C: f tributed to the kind of finish which has been given Cl) to it. en CT i' Finishing includes all of the processes applied C to the fabric after it leaves the loom or the knitting '< ~ machine. In some cases finishes are applied to the fi­ ber before weaving. Finishes add certain qualities that the fiber lacks or counteract undesirable qual­ i· ities. Finishes may be classified as nondurable or re­ newable, durable, or permanent. Non-durable or renewable finisheslast only until erence. Finishes help determine how to use the fab­ the first washing or dry cleaning. ric, how it performs, and how to care for it. Durable finishes last through several washings Buying unlabeled merchandise is risky since you or dry cleanings, with a progressive loss of effective­ cannot know how a fabric will perform unless ness of the finish. some information accompanies it. The description Permanent finishes are effective for the life of on the label helps you to: the fabric. 1. know what to expect of the fabric in use. Some finishes are visible to the eye; some affect 2. know what care is needed. the way the fabric feels. Others cannot be seen or 3. know how much the fabric will shrink or stretch. felt. 4. judge the price in relation to the quality. '-- Finishes are identified by trade names on labels, 5. choose fabric with finishes suited to your needs. hang tags, or on the end of the bolt. Manufacturer's It is not economical to buy fabrics having finishes claims for the finish are generally included. Since which are not necessary for the fabric's end use. finishes may not always perform according to manu­ For example, all fabrics do not need an absorbent facturer 's claims, the consumer will have to select finish but towels and diapers would profit by it. fabric finishes on the basis of the reputation of the The following chart may be helpful in identify­ manufacturer and on previous experience. ing finishes. It tells how each finish works and It is important for you, the shopper, to study which one to look for when buying certain articles these labels when buying and to save them for ref- for your family.

-·------Some trade-mark* How the finish works Especially suited for Finish names on the market (Manufacturer's claim) these garments Absorbent Nylonized, Fabril­ Permits more rapid evaporation Diapers ized, Textralized so article dries more quickly Sportswear on nylon synthetics Said to make fabric capable of Towels Sorbex-T elezorbant absorbing more moisture Underwear on cotton and rayon Antiseptic Eversan Said to make fabric bacteria re­ Coat linings Pacifate sistant Crib sheets Permicide Some claim to be mildew re­ Diapers Sanitized sistant Foundation garments Vita-fresh To prevent decay and damage Infant's wear from perspiration Shoe linings To help prevent bacterial action Socks and anklets odors Sportswear Some trade-mark* How the finish works Especially suited for Finish names on the market (Manufacturer's claim) these garments

Anti-static Astorized To render fabric static free Applied at home, generally Negastat To prevent fabrics from cling­ added to rinse water Niotex ing (slips) Non-durable, must be re­ Zelece Dx newed with each washing Atmospheric fading Airfast Treatment used on acetates; Bedspreads resistant, especially Anti-fume some durable, others not Drapery fabrics blues and related B. Neufume Some won't fade because color Dresses colors Chromefast is locked in solution before Sunsuits fiber is made ( dope-dyed) Swimsuits Chlorine resistant Ori-smooth with To make resin treated fabrics Prints with white back­ XCL (cottons) and blends capable ground if you expect to use of being bleached with chlo­ chlorine bleach in the wash rine bleaches without yellow­ White blouses mg White shirts White uniforms Crease and wrinkle Ceyona Superset To make fabric resistant to Cotton dresses resistant Ori-Smooth wrinkling and to speed recov­ Curtains Everglaze ery from wrinkling Garments to be packed m Fresh-Tex Sometimes combined with a suitcases Perma-Smooth water repellent finish to resist Plav clothes Tebalized water-borne stains or soil Rayons to be made into gar­ Unidure ments W rinkl-shed Slip covers Zeset Sport clothes Crisp finish Fresh-Tex To make sheer cottons, nylon Warm weather sheer dresses sheers, rayons stay crisp dur­ mg wear, laundering, dry cleanjng To help keep edges from rolling Dress collars of sheer fabric Crush resistant To make pile fabrics such as Velvets velvet crush less and recover quickly from crushing Flame resistant Blaze X To prevent the fabric from sup­ Children's play wear Erifon porting a flame Fleecy or napped fabrics Perma-proof Thin, sheer fabrics Pyroset Curtains and draperies if used near fire Insulated or reflec­ Milium To keep body heat in in cold Coat linings tive finish Resilium weather and heat out in warm .Draperies Temp-Resisto weather by selective radiation Thermarline ( use of metallic particles Thero-0-Ray bonded to the fabric) Mildew resistant Don Dew To prevent the growth of mil­ If mildew is a problem due to Fen dew and molds moist, humid conditions Formoset look for this one when buy­ Fresh-Tex ing table linen or other ar­ Prevental ticles made of cotton, linen Repel-0-Tex or rayon Some trade-mark* How the finish works Especially suited for Finish names on the market (Manufacturer's claim) these garments Minimum care Disciplined To make fabric resistant to rot, Washable garments of cotton Wash and wear Dri-Don creasing, wrinkling, perspira­ and rayon Drip dry Everglaze tion spotting No-iron Fuller Fabrics Dimensionally stable sometimes Minicare Used on cotton, wool and rayon Perma-glaze Perma-Pressed Perma-Smooth Regulated Sanforized-Plus Super K wik-Kare ------~-- Moth resistant Amuno To make treated fabric resistant Blankets Berlou Mothspray to moth and carpet beetle at­ V.,Tool garments Erustomoth tacks Ev lon Boronize Larvex Mitin Moth Snub Neva Moth Woolgard Odorless and per­ Applied to mask unpleasant fumed odors of some finishing mate­ rials or to give glamour fra­ grance to some fabrics Shrink resistant Lanaset To make woolen fabrics capable Any garment or blanket you (chemical) ResloomM75 of being w a s h e d without wish to wash and have it Sanforlan shrinking if washed accord­ keep its shape ing to recommended instruc­ tions NRCS Treatment for cotton fiber Shirts, blouses

Avisco To make rayons and cottons Any garment you wish to Cyara shrinkage highly resistant to shrinkage wash and keep its shape control and size Permanize Permel plus Sanforset Shrink resistant Rigmel To render cottons shrink resist­ Any garment you wish to (mechanical) Sanforized ant, shrinkage reduced to less wash without shrinkage than 1% Slip resistant finish To keep seams from slipping Coat linings and fraying (used extensively Slips on fabrics of manmade fibers) Stain and spot Hydro-Pru£ To make the fabric resistant to Children's play garments resistant Scotchgard both water- and oil-borne Slip covers stains Sport clothes and play wear Sylmer Resistant to water-borne stains Work clothes Unisec Some trade-mark* How the finish works Especially suited for Finish names on the market (Manufacturer's claim) these garments Textured Bellmanize To give beautiful and interest­ Any fabric for use in gar­ Everglaze ing textures ments where a firm, crisp Herbelein To make fabric crisp so it hand is desirable Resloom doesn't need starch Dark cottons To make some cottons crisp and soil resistant To make organdy permanently cnsp Water repellent Cravenette To make fabric resistant to wet­ Rainwear Hydro-Pru£ ting but not water proof Some work clothes Sylmer Non-durable Zelon Must be renewed by dry cleaner after cleaning ------Water proof Reevair ( a new mic­ To make fabric water proof by Baby pants roporous finish) closing the pores Rainwear Fabric is coated with rubber, Shoe fabrics lacquer, oil compounds or syn­ thetic resins *In order that this information may be understood more easily, some trade names are used. The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

In addition to finishes listed in the chart, there Mohair Research Laboratory, Albany, California, are some in the experimental stages that may soon where the initial research was done. appear in the market. Another new one is an effective anti-static treat­ ment for man-made fibers which may eliminate the Among these is a mild treatment that creates an static problem. ultra-thin resin film on wool fibers-so thin that it You as the consumer will determine the direc­ adds less than an ounce of weight to a pair of slacks. tion of new developments. Manufacturers will con­ Garments made of this treated wool can be machine tinue to try to produce the .finishes you want and are willing to pay for. washed without shrinkage, are easy to iron, and keep their pressed appearance longer than untreat­ When you shop for .finishes: Look for well-labeled fabrics. ed wool garments. Wool manufacturers are evaluat­ Read labels carefully for information about per­ ing hundreds of yards of treated samples supplied formance and care of .finishes. by the U.S.D.A. Research Service. Reports of their Consider the cost of the finish or the fabric in re­ tests con.firm the .findings of the U.S.D.A. Wool and lation to the end use. Buy according to your needs.

Published and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the Cooperative Extension Service of the South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Brookings, John T. Stone, Director, U. S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. 25M-7-63-File 9.1.5-139