Method of removing particulate debris, especially dust mite fecal material from fabric articles in a conventional clothes dryer

摘要

A method is disclosed of removing particulate debris, including dust, dust mites and mite fecal material from non-washable items using webbing composed of any of the following: 1) fibers that have been treated in a manner such that they acquire a long-lasting electrostatic charge of any polarity (i.e., electret), or otherwise have an intrinsic electrostatic charge; 2), fibers that are charged electrostatically negative; 3) fibers that are capable of attaining a negative electrostatic charge with moderate agitation and friction, as with the tumbling agitation of an automatic clothes dryer; 4) fibers of at least two mixed types such that the fibers have an intrinsic, long-lasting embedded (electret) electrostatic charge with respect to each other, or are otherwise capable of acquiring such electrostatic charges in an environment of moderate agitation and friction (i.e., a clothes dryer), with the charges associated with at least two of the fiber types being of opposite electrostatic polarity with respect to one another, such that the fibers create a microenvironment for electrostatically retaining particulates by electrostatic attraction to either of the fiber types. A sheet composed of one of the above fiber types is placed into the drum of a conventional automatic clothes dryer along with the items to be cleaned. The rotation of the drum dislodges the dust, particulates, dust mites and fecal material into the drum, which then adhere to the fibrous sheets. The fibrous material of the dryer sheet also randomly contacts the articles as a result of the tumbling action and can electrically attract particulates from the surface of the fabric articles as well. Clothes dryer heat can also be applied within the drum during tumbling at a sufficient temperature to kill mites and eggs.