7 min readConcept sheetOften a 5-mark answer

Bonded fabrics, felts and care of non-wovens

Bonded fabrics are fibre webs or fabric layers held by adhesive or heat. Felts are fibre masses matted by heat, moisture and pressure, or by needling.

Oldest fabricWool felt

Felting needsHeat, moisture, agitation, pressure

Felt does notFray, or have a grain

Indian feltNamda rugs of Kashmir

Two meanings of bonded fabric

Bonded-fibre fabricA non-woven web held together by an adhesive binder or by heat that melts thermoplastic fibres where they cross. Cheap, light, does not fray: interlinings, disposable napkins, wipes.

Bonded (laminated) fabricTwo or more fabric layers, or fabric and foam, joined by adhesive or a thin melted foam layer. A face fabric is bonded to a tricot lining for body and stability; fabric bonded to a plastic film makes rainwear. Layers can separate or pucker if they shrink differently.

How wool felt is made

Felt is probably the oldest fabric, made before weaving. Wool felts because its **scales** lock and its **crimp** and spring pull the fibres together.

1
Carded wool webs are laid in layers, often crossed, to the needed thickness (the batt).
2
The batt is wetted with hot water and soap (or a mild alkali or acid) and steamed.
3★
Hardening: the batt is pressed and rubbed between heated, vibrating plates so the fibres begin to interlock.
4★
Fulling (milling): rolling and pounding shrink and compact the felt to the required density.
5
Finishing: the felt is dried, sheared, pressed, and sometimes stiffened or dyed.

★ one-way, controls the pace

Wool felt and needle felt

Point	Wool (pressed) felt	Needle felt
Fibres	Wool, or blends with enough wool	Any fibre, including synthetics
Method	Heat, moisture, agitation and pressure	Barbed needles entangle the web
Properties	Warm, absorbs sound and shock, no fray, no grain; weak, poor drape, loses shape when wet	Stronger and cheaper; no shrinking step
Uses	Hats, slippers, namda rugs, piano hammers, padding, craft	Carpets, underlay, blankets, mattress pads, filters

Care of non-wovens and felts

Read the label first: many non-wovens (masks, caps, wipes, napkins) are single-use; do not wash and reuse them.
Wash durable non-wovens gently by hand in cool or lukewarm water with mild detergent; do not rub, wring or twist, or the web may tear or pill.
Most are thermoplastic (polypropylene, polyester): iron on low heat or not at all, and keep away from hot pans.
Adhesive-bonded and laminated fabrics may separate with hot water, hard rubbing or some dry-cleaning solvents; follow the care label.
Wool felt: dry clean or spot clean, because water and rubbing shrink and distort it; brush off dust and store dry with neem leaves or naphthalene against moths.
Dry flat in shade; avoid hot tumble drying.

In daily life

In a hospital or food unit, non-woven caps, masks and aprons are use-once items; reusing them spreads germs. A non-woven carry bag can be wiped and reused, but keep it away from hot vessels because polypropylene softens with heat.

Exam angle

2 marks: “What is felt?” A non-woven fabric made by matting fibres (usually wool) together with heat, moisture, agitation and pressure, or by needle punching.

5 marks: “How is wool felt made? Give its properties and uses.” Layered carded batt; wetting and steaming; hardening; fulling; finishing. Warm, no fray, no grain, weak, poor drape. Hats, slippers, namda, padding.

10 marks: “Explain bonded fabrics and felts, and the care of non-woven fabrics.” Two meanings of bonded fabric; wool felt process and needle felt; comparison; care points for disposable, durable, bonded and felt items.

Remember it

Felting needs H-M-A-P: heat, moisture, agitation, pressure, the same four things that ruin a wool sweater in a washing machine.