Stain Protection in Performance Apparel: Providing Clean Solutions
Stain protection was once reserved for carpets and soft furnishings or hard wearing apparel such as raincoats and workwear. But it has now been embraced by the mainstream apparel industry—especially in men’s wear, where the ease-of-care message has been greatly welcomed.
Apparel retailers have discovered that stain protection enables them to differentiate their apparel lines, and to capitalise on growing consumer demand for convenience and easy care. Moreover, stain protection enables them to achieve premium pricing as many consumers are willing to pay extra for low maintenance garments.
Although stain protection technologies have been in existence for more than 40 years, it is only in the past decade that they have made a significant impact on the apparel market. Over this period, new technologies have been developed to create stain repellents which are more effective, easier to apply and better able to withstand repeated washings than conventional stain protective coatings.
One major barrier to growth is that many consumers are reluctant or unwilling to buy apparel treated with stain repellents because of concerns that they may not be safe. Indeed, some have been calling for a ban on certain chemicals and technologies used to produce stain repellents.
However, manufacturers have responded to these concerns by phasing out harmful chemicals, reformulating their products or devising ways of limiting the impact of their operations on the environment. Meanwhile, others have concentrated their efforts on bringing to the market stain protection technologies which do not require the use of potentially dangerous substances.
Apparel retailers have discovered that stain protection enables them to differentiate their apparel lines, and to capitalise on growing consumer demand for convenience and easy care. Moreover, stain protection enables them to achieve premium pricing as many consumers are willing to pay extra for low maintenance garments.
Although stain protection technologies have been in existence for more than 40 years, it is only in the past decade that they have made a significant impact on the apparel market. Over this period, new technologies have been developed to create stain repellents which are more effective, easier to apply and better able to withstand repeated washings than conventional stain protective coatings.
One major barrier to growth is that many consumers are reluctant or unwilling to buy apparel treated with stain repellents because of concerns that they may not be safe. Indeed, some have been calling for a ban on certain chemicals and technologies used to produce stain repellents.
However, manufacturers have responded to these concerns by phasing out harmful chemicals, reformulating their products or devising ways of limiting the impact of their operations on the environment. Meanwhile, others have concentrated their efforts on bringing to the market stain protection technologies which do not require the use of potentially dangerous substances.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
THE MARKET FOR STAIN REPELLENT CLOTHING
CLOTHING STAINS
Ways in which fabrics become stained
Sources of stains
Treatment of clothing stains
STAIN PROTECTION
Test methods for stain protection
AATCC test method 22
AATCC test method 79
AATCC test method 118
AATCC test method 130
STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Stain release
Stain repellency
Combination of stain release and stain repellency
Benefits of stain protection
Development of stain protection technology
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS USED TO ACHIEVE STAIN
PROTECTION
Water repellent treatments
Paraffin wax coatings
Microporous coatings
Durable water repellents
Water repellent and oil repellent treatments
Fluorocarbon finishes
NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED STAIN PROTECTION
Examples of nanotechnology-based stain repellents
BigSky Technologies: GreenShield
Schoeller Technologies: NanoSphere
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills
Nano-Tex: Releases Stains
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills & Releases Stains
DuPont: Teflon
OTHER STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Silver-based water and dirt repellent
Wool-based dirt repellent
Plasma technology
Titanium dioxide-based stain repellent
Reactive surface treatment
Water repellent and oil repellent surface treatment
APPLICATIONS OF STAIN REPELLENT CLOTHING
OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION
THE MARKET FOR STAIN REPELLENT CLOTHING
CLOTHING STAINS
Ways in which fabrics become stained
Sources of stains
Treatment of clothing stains
STAIN PROTECTION
Test methods for stain protection
AATCC test method 22
AATCC test method 79
AATCC test method 118
AATCC test method 130
STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Stain release
Stain repellency
Combination of stain release and stain repellency
Benefits of stain protection
Development of stain protection technology
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS USED TO ACHIEVE STAIN
PROTECTION
Water repellent treatments
Paraffin wax coatings
Microporous coatings
Durable water repellents
Water repellent and oil repellent treatments
Fluorocarbon finishes
NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED STAIN PROTECTION
Examples of nanotechnology-based stain repellents
BigSky Technologies: GreenShield
Schoeller Technologies: NanoSphere
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills
Nano-Tex: Releases Stains
Nano-Tex: Resists Spills & Releases Stains
DuPont: Teflon
OTHER STAIN PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Silver-based water and dirt repellent
Wool-based dirt repellent
Plasma technology
Titanium dioxide-based stain repellent
Reactive surface treatment
Water repellent and oil repellent surface treatment
APPLICATIONS OF STAIN REPELLENT CLOTHING
OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Stain protection characteristics of different fibre types
Table 2: Surface free energy of solids and surface tension of liquids
Table 1: Stain protection characteristics of different fibre types
Table 2: Surface free energy of solids and surface tension of liquids
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Consumer awareness of the functional features of apparel, 2008
Figure 2: Water beading up on a fabric surface
Figure 3: Lotus leaf surface
Figure 4: NanoSphere
Figure 5: Untreated surface
Figure 1: Consumer awareness of the functional features of apparel, 2008
Figure 2: Water beading up on a fabric surface
Figure 3: Lotus leaf surface
Figure 4: NanoSphere
Figure 5: Untreated surface
