Method of processing of a fabric made of natural cellulosic fibers in order to improve its stability during washing

摘要

The wash resistance of fabrics comprising natural cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton and linen, is improved by impregnating them at a temperature of over 15 DEG C with an aqueous solution containing 5 - 20% by weight of sodium hydroside or an equivalent amount of potassium hydroside, winding the impregnated wet fabrics on to a roller and maintaining them in this rolled-up and wet state for a reaction time of more than 3 hours before the hydroside is rinsed out. After impregnation with the aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroside which may also contain a wetting agent and an agent preventing fading of coloured fabrics, the fabric may be pressed to remove excess impregnating liquid, wound under tension on the roller, covered with a plastic film to prevent evaporation and the roll of fabric rotated during the reaction time to prevent the impregnating liquid from being irregularly distributed in the roll by gravity. When rinsing out the hydroxide partial neutralization may be performed with the aid of a weak acid, e.g. acetic acid. The fabrics may subsequently be bleached with sodium chlorite.