General about Proban Laundering, care of and wash factors to avoid Health and Safety including a focus on Oekotex

 

General about Proban

What is the PROBAN® process?

First developed in the 1950s, the PROBAN® chemical is used to inpart a durable flame retardant treatment to cotton and other cellulosic fibres and blends. Durability is achieved by the formation of a cross-linked inert polymer within the fibre. Because there is no chemical reaction with the fibre the physical properties of the base fabrics are largely unaffected. The PROBAN® process is used only by textile finishers licensed by Rhodia Limited and is usually applied to bulk fabrics before making up. The process is equally successful when applied to woven or knitted fabrics which may have a wide variety of weights and constructions.

Where are PROBAN® fabrics used?

The earliest application of PROBAN® treated cotton fabrics was in children’s nightwear. Since then the use of PROBAN® fabrics has broadened. Today PROBAN® treated fabrics are used in protective clothing for a wide range of industrial, military and civil applications as well as bedding and furnishings in hotels, public buildings and institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. The use of PROBAN® fabrics in domestic furnishings is also on the increase. Nowadays PROBAN® treated fabrics are used throughout the world wherever there is a risk of fire.

How are PROBAN® treated fabrics affected by flame?

PROBAN® treated fabrics decompose under the influence of a flame to form a localized insulating char which stays in place and helps to protect the wearer or acts as a barrier in other applications. PROBAN® treated fabrics do not smoulder, have no afterglow and flame does not spread outside the charred area, unlike some other flame retardant systems. PROBAN® treated fabrics do not melt away to form a hole through which the flame can penetrate nor do they form a hot sticky residue which can adhere to the skin of the wearer.

What combustion products are given off?

Chemical analysis of the combustion products of PROBAN® treated fabrics has shown the components are not significantly different from those produced by the combustion of untreated cotton fabrics.

Questions with regards to laundering

Are the flame retardant properties affected by laundering?

The flame retardant properties will be retained for the useful life of any article made from PROBAN® treated fabrics provided recommended wet laundering or dry cleaning procedures are followed.

Soap powders, as opposed to synthetic detergents, should be avoided and hypochlorite bleach should not be used. Hydrogen peroxide bleaches and detergent formulations containing sodium perborate should be used with care. The PROBAN® label, which is attached to all articles made from PROBAN® treated fabrics, quality controlled and certificated by Rhodia Limited gives basic advice on fabric care. More detailed laundering instructions are available from the Technical Service Department of Rhodia Limited.

What happens if PROBAN® treated fabrics are washed with soap rather than detergent?

In hard water there is a build-up of flammable calcium soap deposits that may mask the flame-retardant properties of the fabric. These deposits can often be removed in commercial laundering by a weak acid rinse using acetic acid followed by neutralization. For domestic washing synthetic detergents must be used. Most products found on today’s supermarket shelves are formulated with synthetic detergents and not soap but in cases of doubt contact Rhodia Limited Technical Service Department.

What is the effect of bleach on PROBAN® treated fabrics?

Hypochlorite bleach must not be used; it chemically attacks the PROBAN® finish and reduces the flame-retardant properties of the fabric. A single accidental application of dilute hypochlorite bleach is unlikely to destroy the flame retardancy.

Dilute hydrogen peroxide bleaches may by used for stain removal provided bleaching is not carried out on every laundering cycle.

Sodium perborate when present in high concentrations in detergent formulations may also cause a gradual deterioration in fabric flame-retardant performance especially if washing is carried out at high temperatures.

Do biological stains have an effect on PROBAN® treated fabrics?

Biological staining has no effect on the flame-retardant performance of PROBAN® treated fabric. Stains can be removed in the normal way by presoaking with biologically active detergent formulations, washing and the occasional use of dilute hydrogen peroxide bleach.

Can PROBAN® treated fabrics be boiled?

PROBAN® treated cotton may be boiled although boiling should not be necessary for cleansing or disinfection if the correct laundering procedures are followed. The PROBAN® flame retardant finish does not affect the natural properties of cotton fabrics and wash temperatures appropriate for cotton should be selected to avoid excessive shrinkage or shade change.

Can PROBAN® treated fabrics be dry-cleaned?

The flame retardant properties of PROBAN® treated fabrics are unaffected by commercial dry cleaning solvents. It is important that the dry cleaning process is effective in removing all contaminants. Inefficient dry cleaning may lead to a build-up of deposits, which could mask the flame-retardant properties of the fabrics. However experience has shown an occasional wet laundering will alleviate this problem.

Health and Safety questions, including a focus on Oeko tex

Are PROBAN® treated fabrics safe?

PROBAN® treated fabrics are safe to use. Since they were first introduced almost 30 years ago, many studies have been undertaken, both by Rhodia Limited and independent organizations, to test the safety of the PROBAN® polymer and of PROBAN® treated fabrics.

These studies have established that if taken internally, the PROBAN® polymer is as harmless as common salt or sodium bicarbonate.

Detailed skin irritation studies using human volunteers have also established that PROBAN® treated fabrics do not irritate the skin or produce hypersensitivity. In almost 30 years of widespread use in many environments and many countries, there have been no skin irritations or other human health problems reported attributable to the PROBAN® flame-retardant finish.

OEKO-TEX focus

What is OEKO-TEX?

The Oeko-Tex standard 100 label represents textiles which are labelled and which are good for your skin and well-being.

What does a textile labelled with the Oeko - Tex Standard 100 have to offer the consumer?

The assurance that the textile does not contain any amounts of harmful substances which are detrimental to health

Who developed the Oeko-Tex Standard 100?

The standard was drawn up by the Vienna-based Austrian Textile Research Institute (Österreich Textil-Forschungsinstitut) and the German Hohenstein Research Institute (Forschungsinstitut Hohenstein) in Bönnigheim. These founders developed the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 criteria catalogue on the basis of test specifications relating to harmful substance

How long has the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 been in existence?

The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 was introduced for the first time at the Insterstoff trade fair in Frankfurt on 7 April 1992 .

What is the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology (Oeko-Tex)?

An amalgamation of 11 member Institutes in 11 countries ( Germany , Switzerland , Austria , Italy , France , Spain , Portugal , Belgium , UK , Denmark , Sweden ).

There are also agencies in South Africa , HongKong, Shanghai and Istanbul and Budapest .

Which test criteria does the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 take into consideration?

Prohibited azo dyestuffs, carcinogenic or allergy-inducing dyestuffs, formaldehyde, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, chloro-organic carriers, extractable heavy metals, colour-fastness, pH-value, emission of volatile components, odour.

When and how can a textile be labelled with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100?

Only if components of the textile meet the requirements as laid down in the criteria catalogue for a standard product class. This includes the zip, buttons, sewing thread, inlay materials and lining materials in addition to shoulder pads and outer fabric. Each labelled textile is identified with a text number. This enables clear verification of checks carried out.

How is the compliance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 criteria ensured?

Representative samples from the manufacturer's product collection are tested annually. In addition, test institutes are entitled to carry out random tests on certified goods at any time without giving prior notice. The manufacturer's declaration of conformity is a form of quality assurance. In this, the manufacturer must give a legally binding guarantee in writing that the goods labelled by him with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label correspond with the test samples.