After only one washing
with Unicorn Fibre Wash
and anti-static Unicorn
Fibre Rinse.
Odor-based yellowing
residue is gone, dirt particulates
have not re-deposited
back onto fibers, and a lovely
high luster is obvious.
After one washing with an
alternative, non-rinse fiber cleaner
on another section of the
same Alpaca fleece.
Although to the naked eye this
fiber looked good, there is evidence
of possible protein-based yellowing
and the remains of dirt particulates
adhering to the "washed" fiber.
The goals of the Unicorn Fibre cleaning and conditioning system are to optimize the latest chemistry to maximize cleaning effectiveness at low temperatures while imparting fiber conditioning for ease of handling and processing. The goal of providing these benefits with the use of only safe and environmentally sensitive ingredients was paramount. In keeping with the company's philosophy, there was no testing conducted on animals in the verification of these products.
Several years ago our company took part in a natural fiber
symposium focused on the worldwide challenges facing
the alpaca and wool fiber (textile) industries. In the rapidly
changing global economy, many of the largest mills could
not economically compete with China's less expensive
processing capabilities and were forced to close. Those
that survived faced additional constraints from
governmental agencies demanding less impact on
the fragile environment.
Breeders and mill representatives bemoaned the fact
that, at times up to 30% of the scoured "luxury" alpaca
fiber was discarded after the scouring process! An
incredibly high waste factor to deal with, given an
industry that needed all the fiber it could gather to
economically compete in the worldwide textile marketplace.
Current commercial scour facilities simply mimic wool
scouring operations using high heat and strong detergents.
Unfortunately, fibers without high levels of surface wax or lanolin (i.e. Alpaca and Cashmere)
are subjected to fairly harsh conditions that are probably not necessary, and may indeed be
detrimental to the fiber as well as the environment.
High priority was placed upon the creation of the "next generation of fiber cleaners" to:
Insure higher throughput (final fiber yield) by minimizing fiber damage during
scouring and processing procedures.
Provide environmentally sensitive cleaning solutions to perform not only as well as
but better than currently available surfactants.
Develop detergents to turn on their power at lower water temperatures enabling
potential energy savings.
Develop concentrates to reduce amounts used in processing – reduce freight
charges - and shorten overall processing times.
Ultimately, Unicorn Editions, Ltd., and its founders took on
this challenge. Pino and Anna Carner Blangiforti had a
good working knowledge of the biology and chemistry
aspects of collagen-based fabrics like leather and fiber.
Indeed, the couples' efforts in leather care have resulted
in the successful line of products known as Leather
Therapy (www.LeatherTherapy.com). The innovative line
has won top awards for the company and was granted a
United States Patent for washing leather in the home laundry.
However, it was the love of the 52 alpacas they raised, and the
enthusiasm, (and frustration), within the fiber industry,
that lead to the creation of Unicorn Fibre products.
Unicorn Fibre products follow the life of all natural fiber;
from scouring raw fleece with Power Scour to the after care
cleaning of yarns and finished garments with Fibre Wash and
anti-static Fibre Rinse – all while effectively maintaining the
integrity of the natural fiber cuticle.
As stated by a chemist at Australia's CSIRO Research Labs, Unicorn's fiber cleaning products "could well be the solution to potential energy savings" and…."even small increases in top length can be worth $1m/annum in increased revenue to the producer".
No Phosphates – No Enzymes – No Fillers
Biodegradable – Non-Yellowing – Earth Friendly