Process to produce hygienically clean textile

Abstract

Textiles are hygienically cleaned by subjecting them to a low-temperature wash, generally less than 140°, and typically about 100° F. Once cleaned, they are subjected to a low temperature bleaching step at a pH of generally around 9 or less. The bleaching step is again conducted a low temperature, such as 140°, 100° F. Treated textiles can then be rinsed and treated to any typical post-washing operations. By conducting the washing and the bleaching at low temperatures, energy is saved. Further, maintaining the low temperature and low pH for the bleaching solution achieves better disinfection and, at the same time, minimizes damage to the textile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of laundering and bleaching textiles comprising:
 washing said textiles at a temperature less than or equal to 140° F. in an alkaline detergent;   bleaching said textile in a chlorine bleach solution at a temperature less than 140° F.; and   wherein said chlorine bleach solution has a pH less than 9.5.   
     
     
         2 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said textiles are washed at a temperature of from 85 to 140° F. 
     
     
         3 . The method claimed in  claim 2  wherein said textiles are washed at a temperature of 95 to 120° F. 
     
     
         4 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said textiles are bleached a temperature of 85 to 140° F. 
     
     
         5 . The method claimed in  claim 4  wherein said textiles are bleached a temperature of 95 to 120° F. 
     
     
         6 . The method claimed in  claim 1  where in a buffer is added to said chlorine bleach solution to establish a pH, said pH less than 9.5. 
     
     
         7 . The method claim and  claim 1  wherein an acid is added to said chlorine bleach solution to lower said pH to less than 9.5. 
     
     
         8 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pH is from 7 to 9.5. 
     
     
         9 . The method claimed in  claim 8  wherein said pH is from 7-8. 
     
     
         10 . The method claimed in  claim 9  wherein said pH is from 7 to 7.5. 
     
     
         11 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said chlorine bleach solution is a hypochlorite solution. 
     
     
         12 . The method claimed in  claim 11  wherein said hypochlorite is sodium hypochlorite. 
     
     
         13 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said chlorine bleach solution has a concentration of 25 to 500 ppm. 
     
     
         14 . A method of bleaching textiles comprising contacting said textiles with a chlorine bleach solution at a temperature less than 140° F. and a pH less than or equal to 9.5, for a time effective to bleach said textile. 
     
     
         15 . The method claimed in  claim 14  wherein said temperature is from 100-120° F. and said pH is from 7 to 9. 
     
     
         16 . The method claimed in  claim 14  wherein said time is from 4 to 30 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . The method claimed in  claim 14  wherein said textile is linen.