6.1.6 Chemical Damage

Holes and tears caused by chemical damage, including prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, are characterized by fiber weakness in the area of damage. This damage may appear only after the agitation of drycleaning or laundering washes out the weakened fibers. Holes and tears can sometimes be easily extended, demonstrating fabric damage. Laboratory techniques can frequently detect chemical residues in drycleaned garments in the areas of damage. Most corrosive chemicals are water soluble and are completely removed in laundering.