New fibers and new textiles! Is there new chemistry to wash them? Or do we wash these new fabrics just like we always have?

There may not be a right or wrong answer to this question as I have stated it.

What generally happens is new fibers or textiles are generally developed for a market need, as well as the manufacturers desire to market and sell a product that gives them a competitive advantage. No matter what the industry application, the manufacturer is marketing the features and benefits that a product will bring to the end user.

In all situations the manufacturer will have tested their product in "field tests" to verify the results that they are expecting. This field testing will include the performance of their product, and very often the handling procedures such as the washing process. Generally, it is in these "field tests" that the manufacturer of the product will determine what they want the washing process to be. There are extensive tests that are performed over and over in an attempt to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the product being tested. The circumstances that occur in the "real world" can't always be duplicated for all conditions such as quality of water, available hot water temperatures, particular types of washing machines, the degree of soil and the overall handling of a tested product.

Laundry chemical manufacturers handle their businesses in much the same way. Most reputable companies are constantly trying to improve their product line and develop new technology that will give them an advantage over their competition. After extensive development and in-house tests to satisfy the Chemist, R&D and Marketing comes outside verification. "Field testing" is a very critical part in the development of new chemical products. Most often a laundry detergent manufacturer will test-market in different parts of the country to determine what differences might be experienced when coming to market with the product being tested.

Many times different laundry detergent manufacturers will work with the textile manufacturer to determine the most effective way to clean new products so the end user will be satisfied in all regards, that being the product performance, quality of washing and finishing process.

Textile manufacturers are not always on the same page as to what benefits a new textile may deliver to the customer and how that customer needs to have the product cleaned. However, as long as new fibers and textile products are developed and chemistry is following a parallel path to making each industry better for the customer, we can expect both product lines to benefit from each other.