How to Wash Milliken Table Skirting
Basic Requirements
- Equipment must be free of burrs and sharp edges.
- Washing equipment should have adequate water level and temperature controls.
- Follow normal extraction procedures on cool (100º F) linens.
- Cleaning, waxing and maintenance of roll pads and covers should comply with ironer manufacturer’s recommendations. Maintain chest temperature between 315º F and 350º F.
If Tunnel Finishing Is Used
- Steam tunnels should have adequate steam impingement and turbulence to soften and shake garments thoroughly. Air temperature in tunnel should not exceed 325º F, preferably 300º F.
- Residence time in tunnel should be sufficient to raise temperature of multilayer areas of garment to 260ºF, but not over 280º F.
- Adequate cooling of garments at exit of tunnel should be provided prior to accumulating on route sorting rods.
Processing Requirements
- Dark, medium and light colors, and white Visa Aprons should be washed separately.
- Visa® aprons should be washed separately from aprons of spun yarns to avoid contamination from lint and extraneous finishing chemicals which may mask Visa performance.
- Wash formula and wash chemicals should be appropriate to type and amount of soil to be removed.
- Soaps of animal or vegetable fats should be avoided. Anionics and nonionics of appropriate cloud point should be utilized.
- Use of complex phosphates along with silicated alkalies are recommended where permitted by law.
- Solvated surfactants may be used where needed for oily soil conditions.
- Use of bleaches should be avoided on colored Visa aprons.
- White Visa aprons should receive antichlor treatment after hypochlorite or other chlorine bleaching.
- For good mechanical action, load washwheel to 90% of rated capacity.
- Softeners and waxes should be avoided with Visa aprons, as these may mask the absorbency of the fabric.
If Tumble Dried or Tunnel Finished
- Load should be 65% full drop, 60% split pocket, and 50% for Y-pocket machines for adequate cleaning and good wrinkle removal.
- Conditioner load should not exceed 50% rated capacity.
- Gas flame on conditioners should not impinge on conditioner basket.
- Garments should be cooled to 100º F prior to removal from washwheel and conditioner.
For Added Body Starching and Sizing
A clean fiber surface with good water absorbency is essential for proper starching or sizing of aprons and coats. If inadequate firmness is obtained, place a few drops of water on a clean, ironed, cool apron. If water is completely absorbed into fabric within three seconds, proper adhesion and film formation of starch or size should occur. Absorbency time in excess of three seconds will require adequate clean up prior to starching or sizing.
- Starch or size should be applied during the sour step of the formula. Water level should be as low as practical. Water temperature should be maintained in the 90º F to 110º F range to facilitate dispersion and avoid highlighting.
- Sour should be added to the wheel and allowed to disperse prior to adding starch or size. We suggest addition of sour two minutes prior to addition of starch or size. This will help avoid differential absorption resulting in hard and soft spots on the aprons or coats.
- Wheel should be allowed to run five to eight minutes after addition of starch or size to allow even penetration of the dispersion throughout the load.
- Six to 12 ounces per hundred weight of starch or combined starch and size are generally adequate to cover the range of aesthetics desired by restaurant customers. Corn, wheat, and rice pregelatinized (dry to the wheel) starches as well as most cooked starches have all been found to work well. Synthetic size (polyvinyl acetate) in conjunction with starch also works well for those accounts that desire extra firmness.
- If possible, use sufficient extraction to permit aprons to be ironed without tumbling. Excessive tumbling will reduce the effectiveness of the starch or size significantly.
- Softeners and waxes should be avoided in the starch bath. Also, care should be used in selection of mildew preventatives as certain of these type materials can inhibit the proper film formation of the starch or size.