pH value in clothing
What is pH value in clothing?
The pH value in clothing refers to the residual acid and alkali content in clothing fabrics. Testing the pH value in the fabric’s water extract shows how to control the pH during production. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. If pH is less than 7, it’s acidic. The lower the pH, the stronger the acidity. If pH is above 7, it’s alkaline. The higher the pH, the stronger the alkalinity.
Where does the "pH" in clothing come from?
Clothing production involves many chemical treatment processes. These include fiber production, sizing, printing, and washing. Each process requires color fixation and reduction cleaning, which is often done through soap washing. The process needs a lot of soda ash, caustic soda, pH regulator, and surfactant. The raw materials, specs, equipment, and production steps for the fabrics vary. Also, the water washing (neutralization) isn’t thorough enough. This leaves acid and alkali residues on the fabrics.
Natural fibers like cotton have hydrophilic groups, such as hydroxyl groups. This gives them an affinity for acids and alkalis. If the washing isn’t strong enough or there aren’t enough washes, it’s hard to neutralize the acid or alkali in the fiber. For instance, some synthetic fibers, like ultrafine ones, have a large surface area and many gaps. Acids and alkalis are easily adsorbed in the gaps between fibers, which are difficult to remove by general washing.
Some fabrics, like velvet, should not be squeezed during washing. This helps keep their surface looking good. The acid (or alkali) substances on the surface are removed, but the acid (or alkali) residues in the fiber cannot be removed and remain in the fabric. If the washing (or neutralization) is not thorough, or the work is cut corners, the pH value will not meet the standard requirements.
Hazards of excessive pH value in clothing
Human skin is normally weakly acidic, with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5, which is conducive to preventing bacterial invasion.
A high pH value in clothing can irritate skin. It can cause inflammation and lead to rapid growth of bacteria and germs. This increases harm to the body. For example, sweat contains antimicrobial peptide Dermicidin. In sweat, at a pH value of 5.5, it has a bactericidal effect of more than 90%, but at a pH value of 6.5, this effect drops to 60%.
When the pH value is too low and acidic, it will affect the storage of clothing. A pH value that is too high or too low in clothing can harm your skin. This imbalance may lead to skin allergies or infections. Bacteria can also invade your skin as a result. People with sensitive skin may experience issues from clothing with high pH. This can lead to redness, itching, and burning. In severe cases, it may cause allergies, inflammation, and other skin problems.
Consumer precautions
1.check
First, check the clothing to see if it meets the test standards. Then, pick the right safety technology category based on your needs.
2.smell
Second smell: identify the odor emitted by clothing. Check for mold, fishy smell, fragrance or anti-odor. The presence of odor indicates the presence of excessive residual chemical reagents.
3.wash
Rinse new clothes: After buying clothes, especially for kids and infants, rinse them with clean water. This helps remove harmful substances before wearing.
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