NCERT Notes Class 11 Home Science Chapter 11 Care and Maintenance of Fabrics

NCERT Notes Class 11 Home Science Chapter 11 Care and Maintenance of Fabrics help students revise mending, laundry, stain removal, washing, finishing, ironing, dry-cleaning, storage and care labels for the 2026-27 exam. These notes follow the NCERT flow and keep every care step tied to fabric safety.

• Download the Chapter 11 Home Science notes PDF for offline revision.
• Revise stain types, washing methods, fibre-wise care and care labels in one place.
• Use the tables for short answers, long answers and practical-based questions.

Care and Maintenance of Fabrics Class 11 Notes

Care and Maintenance of Fabrics explains how textile products are kept clean, attractive and serviceable. The chapter begins with mending and then moves through laundry, stain removal, cleaning, finishing, drying, ironing, storage and care labels.

The main exam skill is sequence. Students should know what comes before washing, what happens during washing, and how a finished garment should be stored. Do not treat fabric care as only washing clothes. NCERT includes repair, stain treatment, fibre behaviour and label reading.

Care and Maintenance of Fabrics Stain Removal Video

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Fabric Care Cycle for Class 11 Home Science

Fabric care works best when students remember the full cycle. Mending comes first because washing strain can enlarge cuts, loose seams and weak fasteners. Stain removal comes before washing because a wrong wash can set the stain.

• Mend cuts, tears, open seams and loose fasteners before laundry.
• Identify stains by colour, smell and feel before choosing a reagent.
• Choose friction, kneading, suction or machine washing by fabric type.
• Finish with blueing, starching, drying and ironing as needed.

Stain Removal in Care and Maintenance of Fabrics

A stain is an unwanted mark or colouration absorbed by a fabric. It cannot be removed by normal washing alone. NCERT classifies stains as vegetable, animal, oil, mineral and dye bleeding stains.

Fresh stains are easier to remove. For unknown stains, start with a simple mild process and move to stronger treatment only when required.

Water Soaps and Detergents in Fabric Cleaning

Water wets the fabric and helps loosen non-greasy dirt. Warm water can increase penetration, but water alone cannot remove all dirt. It also cannot keep removed dirt suspended, so dirt may redeposit and cause greying.

Soaps and detergents are surface-active agents. They reduce surface tension and help water soak into clothes. They also break greasy dirt into tiny particles and hold soil in wash water until rinsing.

Washing Methods and Finishing Processes

NCERT gives four washing methods: friction, kneading and squeezing, suction, and machine washing. The right method depends on fibre content, yarn, construction, article size, article weight and amount of soiling.

• Friction: suitable for strong cottons, not silk, wool, pile or embroidery.
• Kneading and squeezing: gentle method for wool, silk, rayon and coloured fabrics.
• Suction: useful for towels and heavy articles.
• Machine washing: useful for large loads, but time and agitation must suit the fabric.

Finishing restores appearance after washing. Blueing counters yellowness in white cottons. Optical brighteners can counter both yellowness and greyness. Starching adds body, smoothness and crispness to suitable fabrics.

Ironing Dry-cleaning and Storage Rules

Good ironing needs heat, moisture and pressure. Electric irons are safer than charcoal irons because temperature can be controlled. Pressing is different from ironing because the iron is lifted and placed instead of being moved along the fabric.

Dry-cleaning uses a non-aqueous liquid medium. It is safer for many delicate textiles because dry solvents do not swell fibres like water. Storage needs clean, dry and insect-free conditions.

Fibre-wise Care Requirements in Chapter 11 Home Science

Fibre properties decide care. Cotton and linen are strong and tolerate harder washing, but acids must be rinsed and neutralised. Wool weakens when wet and needs gentle handling. Silk can scorch easily and should not be dried in strong sun.

• Rayon has low wet strength and needs careful laundering.
• Nylon is strong and quick drying but should be washed separately.
• Polyester resists wrinkles but holds oily stains strongly.
• Acrylic dries quickly but catches fire readily, so care is needed for children.

Yarn structure, fabric construction, colour and finish also affect care. Fancy weaves, pile surfaces, knits, laces, nets and non-wovens need gentler handling than simple closely woven fabrics.

Care Labels and Practical Work in Care and Maintenance of Fabrics

A care label is a permanent tag that gives regular care instructions. It stays attached and legible during the useful life of the garment. Labels guide washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and dry-cleaning.

Practical 17 checks colour fastness to washing. Practical 18 studies garment labels and yardage stampings for fibre content, size, care instructions, yarn description, fabric description and finishes.

Related Resources for Care and Maintenance of Fabrics

Class 11 Home Science Notes for All Chapters