FiberRemedyFiberRemedy glossary
These definitions explain how terms are used in our guides. A short definition does not replace a product instruction, a measurement method or the conditions attached to a numerical value.
- Care label
- The garment maker’s care instructions for the complete item, including its construction, finishes and trims.
- Fiber content
- The materials that make up a textile. A blend can have different care limits from either component alone.
- Colorfastness
- Resistance to color change or transfer under a particular condition, such as washing, rubbing or light exposure.
- Surfactant
- A cleaning ingredient that changes interfacial behavior and helps wet surfaces and remove or suspend soil.
- Protease
- An enzyme that acts on proteins. Product suitability still depends on the full formulation and the garment.
- Amylase
- An enzyme that breaks down starch. It is one part of some detergent systems, not a universal stain remover.
- Lipase
- An enzyme that acts on certain fats. It does not make a detergent suitable for every oily stain on every fiber.
- Cellulase
- An enzyme acting on cellulose. In some laundry formulations it is used for surface-fiber care; results vary by textile and formulation.
- Water hardness
- A measure commonly associated with dissolved calcium and magnesium, often expressed as calcium carbonate equivalents.
- Chelation
- Binding a metal ion within a chemical complex. Some detergent builders use this mechanism to manage water ions.
- Felting
- Entanglement and compaction of wool fibers that can change a textile irreversibly under unsuitable washing conditions.
- Crocking
- Dye transfer caused by rubbing. Wet and dry crocking are different observations and may not match wash fastness.
- Oxygen bleach
- A class of oxidizing cleaning products commonly based on peroxide-releasing ingredients. The name does not guarantee fabric safety.
- Chlorine bleach
- A bleach commonly based on sodium hypochlorite. Its fabric restrictions and incompatibilities require the exact product instructions.
Put the terms in context with the guide library or return to the frequently asked questions.