Editing Laundry (section)

==Laundry processes==
[[File:Women laundering in Tampere lake.jpg|thumb|Women laundering on the pier in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]]]
Laundry processes include washing (usually with water containing detergents or other chemicals), agitation, rinsing, drying, pressing (ironing), and folding. The washing will sometimes be done at a temperature above room temperature to increase the activities of any chemicals used and the solubility of stains, and high temperatures kill micro-organisms{{citation needed|date=October 2023|reason=Steam is needed to kill micro-organisms.}} that may be present on the fabric. However, it is advised that cotton be washed at a cooler temperature to prevent shrinking. Many professional laundry services are present in the market which offers at different price range.

Agitation helps remove dirt which is usually mobilised by surfactants from between fibres, however, due to the small size of the pores in fibres, the 'stagnant core' of the fibres themselves see virtually no flow. The fibres are nevertheless rapidly cleaned by [[diffusiophoresis]] carrying dirt out into the clean water during the rinsing process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://physicsworld.com/a/clothes-washing-mystery-solved-by-physicists/|title=Clothes washing mystery solved by physicists|date=April 3, 2018|website=Physics World}}</ref>

===Chemicals===
Various chemicals may be used to increase the solvent power of water, such as the compounds in [[Chlorogalum|soaproot]] or yucca-root used by Native American tribes, or the ash [[lye]] (usually [[sodium hydroxide]] or [[potassium hydroxide]]) once widely used for soaking laundry in Europe. [[Soap]], a compound made from lye and fat, is an ancient and common laundry aid. Modern [[washing machine]]s typically use synthetic powdered or liquid [[laundry detergent]] in place of more traditional soap.

===Cleaning or dry cleaning===
{{main|Dry cleaning}}
[[Image:Dry clean rack.jpg|thumb|Many dry cleaners place cleaned clothes inside thin clear plastic garment bags.]]
Dry cleaning refers to any process which uses a chemical [[solvent]] other than water.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Does The Dry Cleaning Process Work?|date=30 September 2014|url=http://www.laundroxpress.com/dry-cleaning-process-work/|publisher=LX|access-date=21 November 2014|quote=Dry cleaning is the process of deep cleaning clothing without using water. Usually reserved for dress clothes and delicate fabric, it requires special equipment and detergents. Dry cleaning is typically a 5 step process. These steps are tagging the clothes, pretreating clothes, cleaning, quality checking, and ironing.}}</ref> The solvent used is typically [[tetrachloroethylene]] (perchloroethylene), which the industry calls "perc".<ref>{{cite web|title=Toxic Substances Portal - Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)|url=https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsLanding.aspx?id=264&tid=48|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)|url=http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/tet-ethy.html|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> It is used to clean delicate fabrics that cannot withstand the rough and tumble of a [[washing machine]] and [[clothes dryer]]; it can also obviate labor-intensive hand washing.