Nylon Fabric

Nylon fabric is a polymer, which means that it is composed of a long chain of carbon-based molecules called monomers. There are quite a few different types of nylon, but most of them are derived from polyamide monomers that are extracted from crude oil, which is also known as petroleum.

In most cases, a monomer called hexamethylenediamine is used in the production of nylon, and this substance is sometimes called diamine acid for short. This monomer is extracted from crude oil, and the remaining components of this oil are sometimes used for other purposes, but they may be discarded.

To make the polymer known as nylon, diamine acid is forced to enter into a reaction with adipic acid. This type of polymer is commonly known as PA 6,6, and it was the first type of polymer to be used for nylon fabric. PA 6,6 is a type of substance called a nylon salt, and this crystallized substance is then heated to form a molten substance.

This substance is then extruded through a spinneret, which is a device that looks similar to a showerhead that has dozens of tiny holes. Upon extrusion through the spinneret, nylon immediately hardens, and the resulting fibers are then ready to be loaded onto bobbins.

These fibers are then stretched to increase their strength and elasticity, and they are then wound onto another spool in a process called "drawing." This process causes the polymer molecules to arrange in a parallel structure, and after the drawing process is completed, the resulting fibers are ready to be spun into garments or other forms of fibers.

Use The Right Detergent
You may notice that your nylon garments still stink even after they come out of the wash. If so, your detergent could be the culprit. Most regular detergents are made to treat cotton and are not as effective when washing synthetic fabrics like nylon.

Use Cold Water
Whether you put your nylon garments through the washing machine or wash them by hand, always use cold water. Cold water is gentle on delicate fabrics and is less likely to cause shrinkage or fading. It’s also energy efficient and can help you to save on energy bills in the long run!

Use Care When Drying
The drying stage has the most potential to damage your nylon clothing, so it’s important to take care. Generally, it’s better to air dry nylon clothing than to put it in the dryer. However, if you would like to speed up the process, most nylon garments can go in the dryer on a low setting. Keep in mind that high heat settings could damage the material, rendering it useless or shortening its lifespan.

No Chlorine Bleach
If you are trying to brighten up a nylon item that isn’t looking its best, don’t be tempted to reach for chlorine bleach. This product has its uses, but washing nylon is not one of them. If you wash nylon using chlorine bleach, the fabric may come out of the wash looking yellowed, and the fibers may be damaged, as well. Should you feel that bleach is needed, opt for a non-chlorine version.