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The Vocabulary:

Anti-redisposition agents – The substances in laundry detergent that prevents soil from being reattached on textiles as they are washing
AOB; activated-oxygen bleach – Bleach that removes stains, improves textile whiteness and brightness, and is suitable for colorfast fabrics
ASTM; American Society for Testing & Materials – United States standards organization that publishes voluntary labeling symbols that indicate how to care for a textile
Care Labels – Instructions for garment laundering or maintenance, they may include ASTM symbols
Care Label Rule – Requires manufacturers to attach care instructions to textiles; enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Care symbols – Pictograms that indicate the manufacturer’s suggestions for garment care
Detergent – A surfactant or mixture of surfactants made from chemical compounds that increases the ability of water to remove soil from textiles
Disinfectant – A germicide that destroys bacteria and other germs like viruses
Energy Star – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification that a product has met high levels of energy efficiency
Enzymes – In laundry application, enzymes help break down stains, smooth the surface of cotton fabric, and provide color protection for textiles
Fabric Softeners – Reduces static electricity and wrinkling, and makes the fabric feel smooth
Foam Regulators – Inhibits suds, particularly necessary in front loading washers
HE; high efficiency – Washers designed to use less water and less energy than the traditional washer
Hygiene – A series of laundry steps that control the microbes that cause illness and produce odor
Microbial flora – The population of microorganisms that inhabit the body on the skin, in mucus and bodily secretions; they are found on soiled textiles
Microorganisms – Bacteria, protozoa, and fungi commonly found in laundry, and are potentially eliminated by proper laundering
Pretreatment – Using substances, such as chemical products, to solve common laundry problems like stains
Sinner’s circle – An standard used in the cleaning industry that states there are four factors that work together for optimal cleaning: time, temperature, mechanical action, and chemistry
Surfactants – Cleaning agents that loosen soils and keep them suspended in wash water