Use of standing bath technique in peroxide bleaching of cotton

The use of a standing bath technique in hydrogen peroxide bleaching of cotton fabric was investigated. Two non‐silicate stabilisers, a laboratory‐formulated inorganic stabiliser and a commercial organic stabiliser, were used. The bleaching recipe was optimised for maximum whiteness and then used for the standing bath technique by replenishing the bath with the equivalent peroxide concentration and maintaining the pH. The level of replenishment of the stabiliser was varied up to 70% of the initial amount of stabiliser. The results, as assessed by CIE whiteness index, indicate that it is only possible to achieve similar whiteness levels to bleaching without a standing bath by replenishing the stabiliser with a large proportion of the original amount.