The care of apparel products

Garments progressively deteriorate as a result of wear and tear, thus reducing their serviceability. Wear and tear can be regarded as the ability of a material to withstand a variety of mechanical actions in different chemical and physical environments. Serviceability encompasses all those criteria of performance that permit a product to be accepted or rejected. This chapter focuses on factors such as pilling, abrasion, snagging, colour fading and dimensional change, which affect the serviceability of the garments. Various types of laundering chemicals and equipment are described. The care labelling of garments and clothing storage are also covered.