A method of laundering fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry detergents face challenges in balancing cleaning performance and fabric care, particularly in removing complex colored soils, as reducing pH to improve fabric care can skew cleaning profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving acidic soaking of fabric in a controlled pH wash bath (2.0-3.0) followed by a specific total abrasive force and rinsing, using an acidic solid laundry detergent composition with 10wt% to 70wt% acidic component and 1.0wt% to 20wt% detersive surfactant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pH of detergent is reduced to improve fabric care performance, then fabric care is improved, but cleaning performance especially for complex colored soils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is divided into two distinct stages: an acidic soaking stage (pH 2-3) for fabric care and color protection, followed by a neutral-to-alkaline main wash stage for effective soil removal. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The acidic detergent is applied first in a soaking pre-treatment stage before the main wash. This preliminary acidic action prepares the fabric by protecting colors and softening, creating optimal conditions for subsequent cleaning without the acidic pH interfering with the main wash effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively enhances both fabric care and cleaning performance, especially for complex colored soils, by maintaining a balanced pH and applying a controlled abrasive force.
Implementation Method 1
contacting soiled fabric to the acidic aqueous wash bath, and washing the soiled fabric in the acidic aqueous wash bath for from 20mins to 24 hours
Implementation Method 2
the acidic solid laundry detergent composition comprises from 10wt% to 70wt% acidic component
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the soiled fabric, from step (c) to a total abrasive force of from 1.5 kg to 10kg
Implementation Method 4
subjecting the soiled fabric, from step (c) to a total abrasive force of from 1.5 kg to 10kg
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of laundering fabric. The method subjects the fabric to be laundered to an acidic washing step. Following the acidic washing step, the fabric is removed from the acidic wash bath and subjected to a total abrasive force of from 1.5 kg to 10kg. The fabric is then rinsed with water.