Q: What benefits does DOW XLA™ offer the ready-to-wear market?
A: DOW XLA™ is the only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes. This allows designers to create clothing that is remarkably simple to care for and easy to own. The apparel industry can even combine DOW XLA™ with "permanent crease" finishes with no loss of elasticity.
DOW XLA™ is particularly attractive to designers because it respects the intrinsic characteristics of the host fiber and will not compromise hand, drape and texture. The durability of DOW XLA™ also gives designers continuous confidence in the ability of clothing to remain true to their vision from the mill to the wardrobe.
Q: What benefits does DOW XLA™ offer consumers?
A: DOW XLA™ gives wardrobe staples a gentle stretch and recovery, and allows them to maintain their shape, texture and color throughout the day, and after repeated washing, tumble drying and even dry cleaning. Its ability to be combined with true non-iron finishes makes DOW XLA™ the ideal choice for the time-pressed consumer.
Its ability to withstand frequent dry cleaning gives DOW XLA™ a key advantage over less sophisticated stretch fibers. A survey by Whirlpool1 shows that ironing is one of consumers' least favorite activities and that they will go to great lengths to avoid it. In fact, seventy-five percent of clothes are sent to the dry cleaners to remove wrinkles and odors, not to remove visible stains.
1 A national Omnibus survey conducted for the Whirlpool Corporation in August, 2005 by lpsos.
Q: What makes DOW XLA™ fiber compatible with non-iron treatments?
A: DOW XLA™ is olefin-based and inherently resistant to harsh chemicals and high heat, which means that it can be combined with true non-iron finishes. Other, less sophisticated stretch fibers don't survive the process and chemicals required to become non-iron. DOW XLA™ is the only fiber that behaves perfectly in this environment and the only stretch fiber that achieves a DP rating of 3.5, even after 50 cycles of washing. This is the rating that defines a true non-iron fabric.
Q: Is DOW XLA™ the only non-iron stretch fiber compatible with non-iron finishes?
A: Yes, DOW XLA™ is the only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes.
Q: What is non-iron versus easy-care when defining the “finish” of a garment?
A: True non-iron fabric has a DP rating of 3.5 or higher which means that after five washing cycles, the fabric still must maintain a DP rating of at least 3.5. Easy-care fabrics have a DP rating of 3.0-3.4. XLA™ maintains a DP rating of 3.5 even after 50 washings, which means that clothes maintain their shape, color and texture over time. Other easy-care garments begin to lose shape, wrinkle, pill and discolor after several washings.
