Question 1

What are the two aspects of care and maintenance of fabrics?

Accepted Answer

The two aspects of care and maintenance of fabrics are:
1. Cleaning: Removing dirt, stains, and impurities from the fabric to maintain its appearance and hygiene.
2. Storage and Handling: Proper storage and handling to prevent damage such as fading, tearing, or deterioration of the fabric. — Care and maintenance involve both cleaning the fabric properly and ensuring it is stored and handled in a way that preserves its quality and longevity.

Question 2

What are the factors which affect the process of cleaning of fabrics?

Accepted Answer

The factors affecting the process of cleaning of fabrics include:
1. Type of fabric: Different fabrics require different cleaning methods.
2. Type of stain or soil: The nature of the stain (oil-based, water-based, protein-based) determines the cleaning agent and method.
3. Age of the stain: Fresh stains are easier to remove than old stains.
4. Water quality and temperature: Hardness and temperature of water affect cleaning efficiency.
5. Detergent or cleaning agent used: The chemical composition and suitability for the fabric.
6. Mechanical action: The amount of rubbing or agitation applied during cleaning.
7. Drying method: Proper drying prevents damage and maintains fabric quality. — Cleaning depends on fabric type, stain nature, and treatment method. Understanding these factors helps in selecting appropriate cleaning procedures.

Question 3

How are the different sections organised in a commercial or institutional laundry?

Accepted Answer

In a commercial or institutional laundry, the work is organised into different sections to ensure efficient processing. These sections typically include:

1. Sorting Section: Clothes are sorted according to type, colour, and degree of soiling.
2. Pre-treatment Section: Stains are identified and treated before washing.
3. Washing Section: Clothes are washed using appropriate machines and detergents.
4. Drying Section: Clothes are dried using dryers or air drying methods.
5. Ironing and Finishing Section: Clothes are ironed and finished to restore appearance.
6. Folding and Packing Section: Clothes are folded neatly and packed for delivery.

This organisation helps in systematic handling, reduces damage, and improves productivity. — Laundry work is divided into sections based on the stages of cleaning and finishing to streamline operations and maintain quality.

Question 4

What are the differences in processing laundry work in commercial laundries and hospital laundries?

Accepted Answer

Differences between commercial laundries and hospital laundries include:

1. Nature of Laundry:
- Commercial laundries handle everyday clothes and household linen.
- Hospital laundries deal with medical textiles requiring strict hygiene.

2. Cleaning Standards:
- Commercial laundries focus on appearance and general cleanliness.
- Hospital laundries require sterilisation and disinfection to prevent infections.

3. Processing Methods:
- Commercial laundries use standard washing and finishing methods.
- Hospital laundries use special chemicals, higher temperatures, and sterilisation equipment.

4. Sorting:
- Commercial laundries sort by fabric type and colour.
- Hospital laundries sort by contamination level and type of medical textile.

5. Handling:
- Hospital laundry staff use protective gear and follow strict protocols.

6. Equipment:
- Hospital laundries may have specialized machines for sterilisation.

These differences ensure that hospital laundries meet health and safety standards critical in medical environments. — Hospital laundries require higher hygiene and sterilisation standards compared to commercial laundries due to the risk of infection.

Question 5

What are the two main aspects involved in the care and maintenance of fabrics in institutions?

Accepted Answer

Care and maintenance of fabrics involve (a) keeping the material free from physical damage and repairing any damage that occurs during use, and (b) retaining or refreshing the appearance by removing stains and dirt and preserving the fabric's texture and visual qualities. — Care and maintenance of fabrics include two important aspects: first, preventing physical damage and repairing any damage that occurs during usage; second, maintaining or restoring the fabric's appearance by removing stains and dirt and preserving its texture and visual characteristics. Both aspects ensure the fabric remains functional and aesthetically acceptable over its service life.

Question 6

Explain why laundry is considered both a science and an art in the care and maintenance of fabrics.

Accepted Answer

Laundry is a science because it applies scientific principles and techniques to clean fabrics effectively. It is an art because mastering laundry requires skills to produce aesthetically pleasing results such as spotless and crisp clothes. — Laundry combines science and art: scientifically, it uses principles like the chemistry of detergents, water temperature, and mechanical action to remove dirt. Artistically, it requires skill to handle fabrics properly, select suitable methods, and achieve fresh, hygienic, and visually appealing results.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a type of washing machine based on loading method?

Accepted Answer

Side loading washing machine — Washing machines are mainly classified as top loading (loading from the top), front loading (loading from the front), and two tub machines (semi-automatic). Side loading washing machines are not a recognized category.

Question 8

Describe the difference between fully automatic and semi-automatic washing machines in terms of operator intervention.

Accepted Answer

Fully automatic washing machines perform all operations like water filling, temperature control, washing, rinsing, and spinning without operator intervention. Semi-automatic machines require the operator to manually fill and drain water during wash and rinse cycles, often involving two tubs. — Fully automatic machines automate the entire washing process, requiring minimal user input. Semi-automatic machines need manual intervention for water management and sometimes for transferring clothes between tubs, making the process more labor-intensive.

Question 9

Identify the washing method used in front loading washing machines.

Accepted Answer

Tumbling — Front loading washing machines use the tumbling method, where clothes are lifted and dropped in a horizontally rotating perforated cylinder partially filled with water, moving clothes through water for effective cleaning.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the spinning speed in washing machines is correct?

Accepted Answer

Spinning speeds between 333–1100 rpm are used, with around 600–620 rpm being optimal to avoid wrinkles. — Spinning speeds vary from 333 to 1100 rpm. The optimal speed is about 600–620 rpm to effectively extract water without causing excessive wrinkles that are hard to remove during ironing. Spinning to near dryness is avoided to prevent wrinkles.

Question 11

Explain the difference between agitation and pulsation methods used in top loading washing machines.

Accepted Answer

Agitation involves the agitator blades rotating or oscillating to create water currents that force water into the fabric. Pulsation uses a vertical pulsator with rapid vertical movements to move water and clothes, both aiming to remove dirt effectively. — Agitation causes water movement through rotating or oscillating blades creating currents that penetrate fabric. Pulsation uses rapid vertical movements of a pulsator to agitate clothes. Both methods are designed to move fabrics through water and detergent to clean them, but differ in mechanical action.

Question 12

Describe the two types of air circulation systems used in drying equipment at commercial and institutional levels.

Accepted Answer

One system circulates relatively low-temperature air at high velocity, where room air passes over the heat source and through clothes, maintaining normal room temperature and humidity. The other circulates high-temperature air slowly through clothes, resulting in high humidity in the exhausted air. — Dryers use either (a) high-velocity, low-temperature air circulation that keeps room conditions stable, or (b) slow-moving, high-temperature air circulation that increases humidity in the exhaust. Both methods efficiently remove moisture while preserving fabric quality.

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of ironing and hot pressing in fabric care?

Accepted Answer

Ironing smoothens out wrinkles formed during use or washing, while hot pressing creates creases such as in sleeves or pleated skirts, enhancing fabric appearance and usability. — Ironing removes wrinkles by applying heat and pressure, improving fabric aesthetics. Hot pressing applies heat and pressure to form permanent creases or folds, important for garment styling and maintaining fabric shape.

Question 14

In India, some traditional irons use charcoal for heating. Describe the structure and working of such a charcoal iron.

Accepted Answer

A charcoal iron is a metal box with a lid in which live coal pieces are placed to generate heat. The heat from the burning coal warms the metal base, allowing it to be used for ironing fabrics. — Charcoal irons consist of a hollow metal body where burning charcoal provides heat. The user opens the lid to add or adjust coal. Heat transfers through the metal soleplate to smooth fabrics. Though less common now, they are still used in some areas.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a typical section in a commercial laundry?

Accepted Answer

Fabric dyeing section for all articles — Commercial laundries have sections for washing, water extraction, drying, pressing, ironing, dry-cleaning, and sometimes dyeing for special articles, but not for dyeing all articles routinely. Dyeing is usually limited and specialized.

Care and Maintenance of Fabrics in Institutions

Care and Maintenance of Fabrics in Institutions — Study Notes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

INTRODUCTION

BASIC CONCEPTS

Practice Questions — Care and Maintenance of Fabrics in Institutions

All 7 Chapters in Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part II