Drycleaners’ Views On Polystyrene Buttons

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27498, 4 November 1954, Page 10

Drycleaners’ Views On Polystyrene Buttons

drarment manufacturers in New Zealand are being warned against the use of buttons made of polystyrene, a type of «plastic, because they cannot safely be drycleaned.

The Research Institute of Launderers, Drycleaners and Dyers of New Zealand has recommended this step to the New Zealand Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation. The institute says that polystyrene buttons cannot be safely drycleaned and they cannot, as a practical measure, all be removed from garments received for drycleaning. “Nor can the drycleaner reasonably expect the public to identify and remove such buttons from garments before sending them to drycleaners,” says the institute’s report. Polystyrene buttons are not readily or easily identifiable on garments coming into drycleaning plants, says the report, adding that buttons made from acceptable alternative plastics are available. Polystyrene was discribed in a Melbourne paper recently as “the prime headache for the drycleaners.” The article says that this plastic is attacked by the solvents used in drycleaning, making it soft and sticky. The buttons stick to anything they touch and if undetected at this stage they set fast in the drying and deodorising processes. The institute had consulted New Zealand button manufacturers, according to the report made to the garment manufacturers. The button manuare substantially agreed cease manufacturing polystyrene buttons (particularly

the opaque type) just as soon as they can be assured that importations of these buttons are also discontinued.... One New Zealand button manufacturer has already ceased manufacturing them.” The institute’s report says that a simple test for polystyrene buttons is to rub a little benzol on the back of the button; polystyrene buttons become sticky and tacky with this treatment. The council of the garment manufacturers’ federation has recommended to its members that all buttons offered to them, or purchased by them, should be guaranteed to stand up to all fair wear and tear, including any appropriate drycleaning or laundering processes. Other “Unserviceable” Clothes The prospect of publicity for this problem appealed greatly to an executive of a Christchurch drycleaning firm who was interviewed. Polystyrene buttons were only one of the “unserviceable” accessories and fabrics frequently seen at his establishment, he said. Many of them showed thoughtlessness or ignorance by the manufacturer, and the public were generally unaware of the difficulties of drycleaning their clothes.

Other “unserviceable” accessories included several types of covered buttons and a recently-evolved imitation plaited leather button. A sample range of the fabric belts sent in for cleaning with women’s frocks was produced for the reporter’s inspection. All these belts and buckles, the reporter was told, required special attention if they were not tb be damaged in cleaning.