The Influence of Fabrics

Dyes and Fibre
Different fabrics require different types of laundering. Modern fabrics range from basic cottons to high-tech, wrinkle-free, patented blends. In response to constant consumer demand for comfort, low-maintenance, low-cost and versatility, the textile industry produces a very wide range of fabric types - pure fibres as well as blends - and this trend towards diversification is expected to continue.

Different dyes may also behave differently in the wash. The "better" dyes and dyeing processes typically result in colours that do not bleed in the wash and fabrics that continue to look good after many wash cycles. The "poorer" dyes and dyeing processes tend to result in colours that fade over time, regardless of the detergent used.