Methods for treating non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric with cellulase to improve appearance and feel characteristics

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As noted above, the compositions and methods of this invention provide for cotton woven fabrics having improved feel and appearance.
Both the improved feel and the improved appearance result in higher quality products, i.
e.
, products which are more valued by the consumer because of the improvements in feel and appearance.
However, prior to discussing this invention in detail, the following terms will first be defined.
The term "cotton woven fabric" means woven fabrics made of pure cotton or cotton blends.
When cotton blends are employed, the amount of cotton in the fabric should be at least about 40 percent by weight percent cotton; preferably, more than about 60 percent by weight cotton; and most preferably, more than about 75 percent by weight cotton.
When employed as blends, the companion material employed in the fabric can include one or more non-cotton fibers including synthetic fibers such as polyamide fibers (for example, nylon 6 and nylon 66), acrylic fibers (for example, polyacrylonitrile fibers), and polyester fibers (for example, polyethylene terephthalate), polyvinyl alcohol fibers (for example, Vinylon), polyvinyl chloride fibers, polyvinylidene chloride fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyurea fibers and aramid fibers.
It is contemplated that regenerated cellulose, such as rayon, could be used as a substitute for cotton in the methods of this invention.
The term "finishing" as employed herein means the application of a sufficient amount of finish to the fabric so as to substantially prevent cellulolytic activity of the cellulase on the fabric.
Finishes are generally applied at or near the end of the manufacturing process of the fabric.
for the purpose of enhancing the properties of the fabric, for example, softness, drapability, etc.
, which additionally protects the fabric from reaction with cellulases.
Finishes useful for finishing a cotton woven fabric are well known in the art and include resinous materials, such as melamine, glyoxal, or ureaformaldehyde, as well as waxes, silicons, fluorochemicals and quaternaries