Potential of Woolen Materials in Health Care

ingridha on 28. juni 2011

Kirsi Laitala, Ingun Grimstad Klepp, Marit Kjeldsberg & Kjersti Eilertsen

Paper

Abstract

Woolen textiles may have more potential use areas within the health care than what they are used for today. They have many benefits such as being self-extinguishing, flexible, and having high isolation as well as moisture absorption properties. While absorbing moisture it releases heat, and as the evaporation rate is slow, woolen materials do not give a rapid chill that some other faster drying materials have. Therefore wool can hold lot of moisture before feeling wet. Due to wool’s potential to shrink in wash, the challenge has been how to wash wool to get it clean enough for health care use. Laboratory experiments were designed in order to see woolens’ tolerance to different washing treatments, as well as their properties related to soil repellence and stain removal.


The results showed that wool tolerates to be cooked without causing additional felting shrinkage, as well as spin dried at high velocity (at least 1400 rpm), as long as there is no mechanical action that could cause the fibers to get entangled. Therefore, the acceleration and slowing-down phases of spin-drying program have to be rapid, so that the centrifugal forces will keep the garments trapped in place against the walls of the drum. Especially untreated woolen fabrics showed good soil repellence against water based soils, as the outer layer of woolen materials is hydrophobic. However, if the staining occurred it was more difficult to get wool clean than synthetic fabrics. Cotton got even more soiling, but it tolerates more efficient washing and detergents than wool does. Wool has potential to replace some of the materials that are more commonly used in health care today, such as cotton, polyester and polyamide, and improve the use properties without compromising the hygiene. The frequent washing of textiles cause wear and tear, creates extra work as well as environmental consequences. Woolen products are washed less frequently than products mare of other fibers. Therefore, an increase in the use of wool can be a way to reduce washing frequency.

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Materialised Ideals: Sizes and Beauty

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 19. april 2011

Kirsi Laitala, Ingun Grimstad Klepp and Benedicte Hauge

Abstract

Today’s clothing industry is based on a system where clothes are made in ready-to-wear sizes and meant to fit most people. Studies have pointed out that consumers are discontent with the use of these systems: size designations are not accurate enough to find clothing that fits, and different sizes are poorly available. This article discusses in depth who these consumers are, and which consumer groups are the most dissatisfied with today’s sizing systems. Results are based on a web survey where 2834 Nordic consumers responded, complemented with eight in-depth interviews, market analysis on clothing sizes and in-store trouser size measurements.

Results indicate that higher shares of the consumers who have a body out of touch with the existing beauty ideals express discontentment with the sizing systems and the poor selection available. In particular, large women, very large men, and thin, short men are those who experience less priority in clothing stores and have more difficulties in finding clothes that fit. Consumers tend to blame themselves when the clothes do not fit their bodies, while our study points out that the industry is to blame as they do not produce clothing for all customers.

Click here to read the full article (cultureunbound.ep.liu.se).

Potential for environmental improvements in laundering

ingridha on 14. februar 2011

Kirsi Laitala, Casper Boks & Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Sammendrag

Life cycle assessment studies on clothes, detergents and washing machines show that the use period is usually the most energy-demanding period during these products’ life cycle, even higher than production or transportation phases. Laundering practices are constantly changing and influenced by social, cultural and moral norms. Even though the technologies in clothes cleaning have improved greatly, the length of time that consumers use for washing clothes has not been reduced. We own more clothing and wash it more frequently. This increased amount of washing counteracts the technological improvements in laundry.

This paper discussed the options of changing consumer habits in clothing maintenance to a more environmentally friendly direction and attempts to evaluate which changes would be the most feasible and efficient. Laboratory trial results on washing were compared with earlier research on consumers’ washing habits. Laboratory-based tests measuring cleaning effect, energy and water consumption were performed in order to evaluate the consequences of changing the washing temperature, filling grade, detergent dosage or drying method. The cleaning effect tests showed that today’s detergents are suitable for low temperature washing, and by selecting an efficient detergent, the cleaning result can be better at 30°C than with a less efficient detergent at 40°C. When washing only slightly soiled textiles or small loads of laundry, the detergent amount can be reduced. Many textiles changed more in colour or strength if they were washed at higher temperature(60°C) than at lower temperature (40°C or below). Tumble-dried textiles shrank more than line dried. These facts can be used to motivate consumers to change behaviour in order to reduce the environmental impacts of textile maintenance.

Click here to read the full article (wiley.com)

Reparasjon og gjenbruk i 1900-tallets håndarbeidsbøker

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 15. juni 2007

Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Innledning

For våre formødre utgjorde vedlikehold og reparasjoner av tekstiler en stor og tidkrevende del av husarbeidet. Tiden som har blitt brukt på dette har minket betraktelig i løpet av 1900-tallet (Avdem og Melby 1985, Hagemann & Roll-Hansen 2005, Sæbø 1986, Lingsom & Ellingsæter 1983). Fra å ha utnyttet alt til siste trevl, sies det ofte at ingen reparerer noen ting lenger. Slike absolutte påstander er sjelden riktige, og noe gjøres fortsatt, delvis på andre måter enn før (Klepp 2001 og 2002). I denne artikkelen skal vi ikke se på hva som er blitt gjort – eller gjøres, men hvordan ulike teknikker har blitt omtalt og formidlet i samtiden. Hva slags teknikker fantes på 1900-tallet for å ta vare på tekstilene, og hvordan endret de seg i dette århundret? Når skjedde disse endringene, og hva har til en vært tid vært ansett som viktig å lære bort? Kildene til å besvare disse spørsmålene er 80 håndarbeidsbøker, alt fra store oppslagsverk, til enkle mønstersamlinger. Dette er supplert med noen årganger av medlemsbladet for Husmorforbundet –, Husmoderen, Arbeidermagasinet – senere Magasinet for alle, håndarbeidsbladet Alt om håndarbeid og Kvinner og Klær. All omtale av teknikker for reparasjon og gjenbruk er er registrert og analysert ut fra spørsmålene hvordan teknikken har blitt presentert og hva hensikten har vært med dem. Analysen får dermed også frem forfatteres og utgivers holdninger til bruken av dem. Dette vil bli sett på som måter å forstå teknikkene i samtiden. Med samtiden menes her det tiåret publikasjonen ble utgitt. Analysen av håndarbeidsbøkene og bladene vil bli organisert i noen hovedtyper teknikker for å økonomisere med tekstiler. Men først vil jeg kort beskrive litt av den tekstile hverdagen bøkene og bladene ble brukt innenfor.

Klikk her for å lese hele artikkelen (dms07.dimu.org).

English summary

Reparing, patching and darning in the 20. century

The article discusses changes in the way different techniques for economising with textiles is referred to in the 20th Century. The material consists of 80 needlework books, in addition to some periodicals and ladies’ magazines. The analysis focuses when the different techniques are described relative to each other and how they are described. The described techniques include needlework for the prevention of wear and tear, different kinds of mending, recycling of textiles through re-sewing and the utilisation of rags, patches and left-over yarn. The development goes from numerous time-consuming and specialised techniques at the beginning of the century towards fewer and far simpler techniques. In the earliest period utilising everything to the last rag seems like an implied matter of course. Later this kind of work is given a moral significance, and at last it is liberated from economic as well as moral reasons. Technically this development is shown through a change from stressing advanced and invisible techniques which made the mended or re-sewn garment as similar to the original as possible, to a stressing of the techniques’ potential for a unique aesthetical expression. The 1970s is the golden age for this kind of work, which can be explained both by “anti-fashion”, the new ideology of art education in the schools and by a growing ideology of leisure time. Towards the end of the century the techniques for economising with textiles disappear from the books of needlework. Yet in the magazines there is still a certain interest in wardrobe planning and renewal of garments.

The full article is only available in Norwegian.

Miljøbelastninger fra norsk fritidsforbruk – en kartlegging

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 3. januar 2007

John Hille, Carlo Aall og Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Sammendrag

For første gang er det internasjonalt gjort en identifisering av og sammenstilling av det samlede nasjonale fritidsforbruket. Omfanget av fritidsforbruk er målt i form av antall ”hendelser”, forbruk av tid og forbruk av kroner. Videre er det gjort beregninger av samlet direkte og indirekte energiforbruk, som igjen gjør det mulig å vurdere energiintensitet; dvs energiforbruk per time og per krone for de ulike kategoriene av fritidsforbruk. Det er gjort beregninger for i alt 35 kategorier av fritidsforbruk (Feriereiser; Besøk slekt/venner; Bibliotek; Museum; Teater/opera; Kino; Konserter; Kunstutstillinger; Temaparker o.l.; Badeland; Sirkus og tivoli; Restaurant/kafé; Friluftsliv; Lystkjøring / motorisert friluftsliv; Hytteturer; Treningssentre; Handarbeid og sløyd; Samleraktiviteter; Kjæledyr; Årstidsfester; Musikkutøvelse; Fotografering; Alle uspesifiserte ; Lesing; Tradisjonelle spill; Fjernsyn og radio; Lyd- og bildeapparat; Datamaskin/internett; Religiøse organisasjoner; Annen organisasjonsvirksomhet; Idrett som deltaker; Idrett som tilskuer). De tre kategorier fritidsaktiviteter med samlet sett størst energiforbruk er (1) feriereiser, (2) besøke slekt og venner, og (3) moderne hjemmeunderholdning (PC, DVD, fjernsyn osv).

Klikk her for å lese hele rapporten (vestforsk.no).

Reading Fashion as Age: Teenage Girls’ and Grown Women’s Accounts of Clothing as Body and Social Status

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 15. september 2005

Ingun Grimstad Klepp and Ardis Storm-Mathisen

Abstract

If you don’t follow fashion, you wear, like, sorta childish clothes

(girl, aged thirteen)

I think about my age before wearing something that seems rather daring

(woman, aged forty-one)

This article discusses the similarities and differences in how women in two different stages of life describe the relationship between fashion and age. The analytical approach is basically discursive, based on Norwegian teenage girls’ and adult women’s verbal accounts of clothing and clothing practices in conversational interviews undertaken in the late 1990s.

Prevailing discourses as to what represents a breach of clothing conventions are to be found in the ways young girls and grown women talk about clothes. When clothes are used in accordance with conventions and norms, they are not noticed much. However, when clothes are used in a way that differs from the norm, this can attract attention and provoke reactions. By comparing narratives of clothing provided by respondents of the same sex and approximately the same class background but of different ages, we gain access to material that is particularly well suited to illustrate the significance of age in conventions governing clothing and fashion.

Click here to read the full article (tandfonline.com).

Klippe, klipp, klippe: Kjønnsarbeidsdeling på frammarsj

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 15. juni 2005

Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Innledning

I Norge er det stor enighet om at en endring mot et mer likestilt samfunn er ønskelig. I forskningen kan et slikt ønske om endringer være et problem, fordi det som burde ha skjedd, kan stå i veien for å se hva som har skjedd. Denne artikkelen skal handle om hvordan dette ønsket og forestillingen om endring kan være til hinder for å få frem materiale som viser noe annet.

Klikk her for å lese hele artikkelen (ojs.novus.no).

English abstract

It is a widespread conception that we are heading towards a society in which men and women share work and responsibilities more equally. Such notions of change that point in one direction, can obstruct seeing what is really happening. This article is based on questionnaire material. Studies were carried out to answer the question: Are there areas within household work where gender work sharing is increasing? The answer to this is yes. In this material, men have been more active in purchasing and manufacturing clothes and textiles, and in different kinds of household work in areas defined as ”outside” in the period before 1950. The discourse in the article concerns why this can be difficult to see, and why the material offers a less comprehensive answer to the question than desirable.

The full article is only available in Norwegian.

Farlige farger

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 15. desember 2004

Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Abstract

What is so dangerous about colours in women’s clothes? In this article the author is looking for answers in the book Skikk og bruk (etiquette), in ladies and fashion magazines dated 1999, and in interviews with women as well as in their piles of discarded clothing.
The author found that colours are considered dangerous because they break with the level-headed aesthetics of the middle class, and because they refer to gender in the wrong way. Economical and practical reasons, as well as the notion of colours as becoming, are used as arguments in favour of this self-inflicted asceticism.


Individualism and personal expression are applied as the mantra for dressing habits, and as a camouflage for disciplining. The claim that clothes should be suitable and if possible also reflect the bearers’ personality can be regarded as a dressing norm, and thereby as something which puts structuring above the individual.

This article is in Norwegian.

Klikk her for å lese hele artikkelen (idunn.no).

Fra rent til nyvasket: Skittent og rent tøy

Lisbeth Løvbak Berg on 5. juni 2003

Ingun Grimstad Klepp

Summary

This report is an enquiry into why we wash clothes. What is it we expect when we place clothes in the washing machine? The most immediate reply must be that we want to have clean clothes. This is certainly part of the answer. But this alone does not explain either why we wash more than ever, or the manner in which we wash – and neither does it explain what is implied in the concept of ‘clean’. So what is ‘clean’ when “There is no such thing as absolute dirt” (Douglas 1997).

The material used to answer this question is drawn from various types of literature: handbooks, textbooks, surveys of washing customs, and guides on how to wash clothes. Another important source is the questionnaires sent out by Norwegian Ethnographic Surveys. A central assumption in answering this question is to look at what has been washed. Previously, washing clothes has been studied as a change in technology and time-use. But dirty and clean clothes have not formed part of these studies – with one exception: Eilert Sundt’s book on cleanliness in Norway. For this reason, the following report commences with a history of soiled clothes! Here, we trace the history of different types of dirty linen from Sundt’s study of Norway in the 1860s until the present day.

The report has given an answer to why we wash clothes, but it has not answered the question why it is we women who continue to undertake this task. The project From clean to newly-washed has not yet been completed. In subsequent work we will investigate why clothes-washing is one of the most women-dominated areas within the housework arena.

This article is written in Norwegian and you will find a link to it below.

Sammendrag

Rapporten undersøker hvorfor vi vasker. Hva ønsker vi å oppnå ved å legge tøyet i vaskemaskinen? Det mest nærliggende svaret er at vi ønsker å få tøyet rent. Og sikkert er dette en del av svaret. Men det forklarer verken at vi vasker mer enn før, eller at vi vasker annerledes – og det forklarer slett ikke hva som ligger i begrepet rent. For hva er rent når, som Mary Douglas uttrykte det, «there is no such thing as absolute dirt» (Douglas 1997:2).

Det materialet som brukes for å besvare spørsmålet er ulike typer litteratur: skikk og bruk- bøker, lærebøker, vaskevaneundersøkelser og litteratur med råd for klesvask. En annen viktig kilde er spørrelister sendt ut av Norsk Etnologisk Granskning (NEG). En helt sentral forutsetning for å svare på spørsmålet er å se på hva vi har vasket. Klesvask har tidligere vært studert som endringer i teknologi og tidsbruk. De skitne og rene klærne er ikke skrevet inn i denne historien, med ett unntak; Eilert Sundts bok om renslighetsstellet i Norge (Sundt 1975). Derfor starter rapporten med en skittentøyshistorie. I den forfølger vi ulike tekstiler som skittentøy fra hans beskrivelser av Norge på 1860-tallet og frem til i dag.

Klikk her for å lese hele rapporten (yumpu.com).