The spelling of "permanentpress fabrics" might seem complex, but it can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable - "perma-" - is pronounced as "ˈpɜː.mə," while the second syllable "-nent-" is pronounced "ˈnɛnt." The final syllable "-press" sounds like "prɛs." Together, the entire word is pronounced "pɜː.mə.nɛnt.prɛs." This term refers to fabrics that have been chemically treated to maintain their shape and smoothness after washing and drying, making them convenient and easy to care for.
Permanent press fabrics are a type of textile that has been chemically treated or specially woven to minimize wrinkling and creasing. These fabrics are designed to maintain a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance, even after multiple washes and wears. The term "permanent press" refers to the ability of these fabrics to retain their shape and pressed look over extended periods of time.
The chemical treatment or specific weaving techniques used to create permanent press fabrics result in a tight molecular structure that prevents the fibers from shrinking or distorting under moist conditions. This feature allows the garments made from these fabrics to retain their original fit, shape, and smoothness, making them easier to care for and requiring less ironing.
Permanent press fabrics are commonly used in clothing items such as shirts, blouses, dress pants, skirts, and dresses, where a well-maintained appearance is desired. They are also found in household textiles like bed sheets, pillowcases, curtains, and tablecloths. The manufacturing process of these fabrics involves adding a resin-like chemical finish to the textile, which makes the fibers more resistant to wrinkling and shrinking. This treatment chemically bonds the fabric fibers and helps to straighten and stabilize them to maintain their shape.
Overall, the main characteristic of permanent press fabrics is their ability to maintain a wrinkle-free appearance, offering convenience and durability to the wearers while eliminating the need for excessive ironing or pressing.
The word "permanent press" is composed of two parts: "permanent" and "press".
The term "permanent" comes from the Latin word "permanens", which means "to remain" or "to endure". It was derived from the combination of the prefix "per-" (meaning "through" or "completely") and the verb "manere" (meaning "to stay" or "to remain").
The word "press" originates from the Latin word "pressare", which means "to press" or "to squeeze". It was derived from the verb "premere", meaning "to press" or "to push".
When referring to fabrics, the term "permanent press" was first used in the mid-20th century to describe textiles that were treated to resist wrinkling and creasing, thus requiring little or no ironing after washing.