Scouring.

Cotton may contain between 4 and 12% by weight of impurities in the form of
waxes, proteins, pectin’s, ash, and miscellaneous substances such as pigments,
hemicelluloses and reducing sugars. These impurities are removed from the
fabric by scouring, since their hydrophobic nature negatively affects the
enhancement of the fabric’s wettability and absorbency. In this work, pectinase,
protease and cellulose were used in various combinations for different treatment
times, either in the baths containing one enzyme or different enzyme
combinations, in order to evaluate the effects of these enzymes on 100% cotton
fabric’s wettability and absorbency.
Scouring is an important process that contributes to
improved quality in dyed fabric, from which foreign substances found on gray
fabric coming from both primary and secondary sources (cotton wax, thickener,
wax and knitting oil) are removed so that smooth progress is ensured in the
process of dyeing.

The scouring process removes much of the non-cellulosic

compounds naturally found in cotton. In addition to the natural non-cellulosic
impurities, scouring can remove residual manufacturing introduced materials
such as spinning, coning or slashing lubricants. The scouring process employs
sodium hydroxide or related causticizing agents such as sodium carbonate,
potassium hydroxide or mixtures thereof. Generally an alkali stable surfactant is
added to the process to enhance solubilization of hydrophobic compounds and/or
prevent their redeposition back on the fabric. The treatment is generally at a high
temperature, 80"C - 100"C, employing strongly alkaline solutions of the scouring
agent, e.g., pH 13-14. Due to the non-specific nature of chemical processes not
only are the impurities but the cellulose itself is attacked, leading to damages in
strength or other desirable fabric properties. The softness of the cellulosic fabric
is a function of residual natural cotton waxes. The non-specific nature of the high
temperature strongly alkaline scouring process cannot discriminate between the
desirable natural cotton lubricants and the manufacturing introduced lubricants.
Alkaline enzyme scouring of cotton textiles

The invention relates to a process for treatment of

cellulosic material, as for example, knitted or woven cotton fabric, comprising the
steps of preparing an aqueous enzyme solution comprising pectinase, treating
the cellulosic material with an effective amount of the aqueous enzyme solution
under alkaline scouring conditions; e.g., pH of 9 or above and a temperature of
50° C. or above, in a low calcium or calcium-free environment, yielding a
modification of the cellulosic material such that exhibits an enhanced respond to
a subsequent chemical treatment.

Traditionally, cotton scouring has required the use of harsh alkaline chemicals
(caustic), extreme temperatures and large volumes of water. Expenses include
not only the cost of the caustic and energy, but also the cost of treating waste
water to remove residual caustic and by-products.

Today, textile producers have a new, effective

alternative to chemical scouring with the advent of the Cottonase™ enzyme.
This novel enzyme not only cleans better than chemical scouring, but also greatly
reduces the need for extensive waste
water treatment and energy consumption. The Cottonase™ enzyme is a
versatile, economically viable and environmentally
friendly alternative to chemical scouring in cotton preparation.

How to Scour Your Fabric:

• Simply wash your fabric, this includes PFD fabric, in the washing machine
in hot water with Soda Ash. Do not add any fabric softeners to the wash.
If you must dry your fabric do so without any fabric softener sheets
• Using an large enamel or stainless steel pot, fill the pot at least half full
and place one ounce of soda ash into the pot per pound of cotton or linen
fabric/fiber.
• Place fabric into water, swish it around using a stainless steel spoon.
• Bring water to a boil!!!
• Adjust heat to a low boil/hard simmer and allow to boil for two hours. stir
the fabric every 15 minutes or so t make sure that the fabric is being
adequately scoured
• After two hours remove from heat source, allow fabric to cool down until
the fabric is at room temperature.
• Remove the fabric from the water and rinse.