Summary

An E.T.S.A. Working Group carried out a study of the washing process to evaluate the use of non-chlorine bleach. The results are summarised within this report.

The purpose of the study was to provide the industry with a proven method to enable compliance with environmental legislative constraints.

Work undertaken in Initial Textile Services plants in conjunction with DiverseyLever and Henkel-Ecolab has proven that the required quality can be achieved cost effectively using a non-chlorine bleach process.

There is a broad awareness of the technology and to ensure commercial equality it is recommended that any textile rental company wishing to use such a process should approach its detergent supplier for advice.

Procedure

Process trials were completed to compare the effects of using a standard chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and a non-chlorine bleach (peracetic acid).

Tests used both washer extractor and CBW machines.

Real in-service cabinet towels and Krefeld test pieces were subjected to 25 processes and measurements taken to validate:

• whiteness
• chemical damage

reflectance ( whiteness )

chemical damage ( % )

The Krefeld test piece showed 0.1% for the non chlorine process but was not measured for the chlorine process for commercial reasons.

The detergent suppliers may release this information to their individual clients.

Conclusions

• the non-chlorine process is 16% more expensive;
  
  but
  
  
• absolute and visible whiteness is better;
  
• chemical damage is significantly reduced;
  
• colour retention is prolonged;
  
• effluent costs are reduced;
  
• legislative compliance is more easily achieved.

Thanks go to Initial Textile Services, DiverseyLever, Henkel-Ecolab for enabling access to this information.

Copyright © 2004, E.T.S.A.
European Textile Services Association. All rights reserved.