Fibre Identification
It’s a basic required skill in the cleaning industry, but the importance of correct fibre identification in fabric and carpet cleaning cannot be stressed enough.
Different fibres react differently to the application of different substances, sometimes with catastrophic results. If the correct cleaning product is not used for each fibre, the results can be a disaster for our customers and have
an impact on our future business.
A loss or change of colour and shrinkage are just some of the major types of damage that can be the result of improper fibre identification.
One significant example of the importance of fibre identification is in Berber weave carpets.
A Technician who cannot correctly and confidently identify the type of fibre to be serviced cannot select the correct cleaning product for the job and may not have a successful outcome.
Natural v Synthetic Fibres
Being able to differentiate between natural fibres and synthetics, and applying the correct cleaning substances and techniques, will ensure a successful cleaning outcome.
Some Indicators
• Natural fibres such as jute or cotton will not melt in a flame, but will usually smoulder and leave just a dry crumbly ash.
• Synthetic yarn will shrink from a flame and leave you with a melted ball of plastic.
• Olefin will float in water, while most other fibre types will sink in water.
Some Problems
• The presence of a cellulose fibre such as jute, cotton or linen in a carpet or fabric which is dried too slowly may result in the development of cellulose browning; or it may cause the carpet to shrink.
• Synthetic fibres will not develop cellulose browning or shrinkage from slow drying, but they may develop soil wicking, ripples, buckles, or bulges.
• Blended fibres are difficult to identify.
The ability to correctly identify fibre types will not eliminate all of the headaches, but it will go a long way towards reducing many of them.
It may also reduce the number of “surprises” you encounter in the field. Fibre identification may not be a skill our Technicians use daily, but it will be of value in many situations.