Most of these finishes are given at the fabrics processing stage itself. Technology for vapor-phase treatment which allows finishing to be carried out at the garment stage is still under development. The only functional finish which has reached some level of satisfactory application and performance is the "wrinkle free" finish.
The wrinkle free finish ( also known as "Easy Care", Durable Press", "Wrinkle-Resistant", "Wash and Wear", "No-Iron" etc. ) is obtained by cross-linking cotton. It was way back in the 1920's when the research scientists at Total started work on making cotton as wrinkle-resistant as silk. For the next 35 years research in this field was carried out in laboratories all over the world. In 1961, the Koret Company come up with the Koretron process. The process used then is known today as the post-cure procedure to introduce permanent creases in cotton garments. Initial consumer response was lukewarm. The research continued by the 1980's DMDHEU(N,N,11,3) was perfected and put into use. Unfortunately, the chemistry of this compound liberates formaldehyde over 2,000 parts per million. The carcinogenic and dermatological effects of formaldehyde led to a declining interest in wrinkle resistant finishes.
The
finishing of garments to achieve permanent press properties was first
presented at the 1987 International AATCC conference in Charlotte, NC, USA.
Vapour phase finishing of cotton garments with gaseous formaldehyde and DMDHEU
immersion finishing were the two options that were discussed. At least one
garment manufacturer had begun immersion finishing of cotton garments at this
time. The trend was-established by the mid 1990's Today there is widespread
consumer interest in the latest version of permanent press, popularly known as
"wrinkle-free".