How to detect and remove odor from textiles? Inspection and certification services

Textile odors are directly related to product safety and market acceptance, and are a key sensory inspection component in product inspections, factory audits, and product quality control. Common odors include musty odors, high-boiling-range petroleum odors (such as gasoline and kerosene), fishy odors, and aromatic hydrocarbon odors. Their sources are complex, involving multiple processes, including raw materials, production processes, storage, and transportation.

1. Odor Sources and Harms

1. Musty odors are primarily caused by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) breaking down organic matter in textiles. This odor is common with products produced in humid environments, improperly stored, or exposed to moisture during transportation. During inspection, pay special attention to products containing animal protein fibers, such as wool and down, as these are more susceptible to microbial growth. A musty odor is not only a quality defect but can also serve as an allergen, triggering respiratory discomfort and even asthma.

2. High-boiling-range petroleum odor is often caused by the use of mineral oil-containing auxiliaries in the spinning and dyeing processes, such as wool oil, spinning oil, and printing thickeners. These odorants are slightly to low-toxic, so be vigilant during inspection regarding their potential mucosal irritation and anesthetic effects to avoid adverse safety risks.

3. Fishy odor <br>Mainly originates from trimethylamine, a byproduct produced during the resin finishing process. This odorant is significantly irritating to the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, severely impacting the user experience and should be strictly screened during factory inspection.

4. Aromatic hydrocarbon odors <br>Mostly come from benzene-based additives used in dyeing and finishing, or fragrances added to mask other odors. These compounds have inhibitory and stimulating effects on the central nervous system and are considered harmful odors that require specific control during inspection.

2. Odor-related standards and inspection basis

At present, many domestic and foreign standards have put forward clear requirements for textile odor, the most common ones include:

• GB 18401-2010 National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products

• GB/T 18885-2009 Technical Requirements for Ecological Textiles

• HJ 2546-2016 Technical Requirements for Environmental Labeling Products - Textile Products

• Oeko-Tex Standard 100

Inspectors should conduct odor inspections based on the target market of the product and the corresponding standards, and review whether the company has the corresponding odor control procedures and records during the factory inspection process.

3. Difficulties of Odor Inspection and Quality Control Measures

Odor testing currently relies primarily on sensory evaluation, which presents significant challenges in terms of repeatability, reproducibility, and personnel consistency:

1. Insufficient repeatability and reproducibility :
   Different inspectors or laboratories may have inconsistent judgments on the same sample, and unified training, olfactory comparison and improved environmental control are needed to improve the reliability of the results.

2. Odor classification is vague :
   Inspectors must understand typical odor characteristics to avoid confusing petroleum odors with aromatic hydrocarbons. It is recommended to have odor standard samples and conduct regular internal odor identification training.

3. Sample management and inspection environment are not standardized :
   Cross contamination or odor emission should be avoided during sample extraction, packaging, storage and transportation. The inspection environment should be clean and free of interfering odors. Inspectors are not allowed to smoke or use perfume before inspection.

4. Personnel training and consistency maintenance :
   Inspection agencies should establish health and olfactory files for odor inspectors, conduct comparative experiments regularly, and promote olfactory consistency among inspectors and laboratories.

4. Suggestions on Detection and Treatment of Odors during Inspection

In actual inspection work, it is recommended to follow the following process:

• Sampling requirements : should represent the overall situation of the batch, be sealed and stored, and be sent for inspection in a timely manner;

• Inspection environment : Conducted in an environment free from odor and with good ventilation;

• Method specification : Smell identification should be conducted strictly according to the standard. For example, GB 18401 requires three independent judges, and a consensus of two is required for a judgment.

• Result recording : Clearly record the type and intensity of odor, and can be assisted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and other instrumental means for verification.

5. Key points for odor control and factory inspection in production enterprises

In order to eliminate odor from the source, the following aspects of the enterprise should be audited during the factory inspection process:

1. Raw materials and additives control : whether low-odor, environmentally friendly additives are used, and whether there are evaluation records;

2. Production process : whether the baking temperature and time are properly controlled to avoid residual by-products such as trimethylamine;

3. Warehousing and transportation : whether temperature and humidity monitoring is available, and whether moisture and mildew prevention measures are in place;

4. Odor treatment technology : such as whether to apply antibacterial finishing, activated carbon adsorption, oxidation deodorization and other processes, and evaluate their washability and environmental friendliness.

In recent years, some companies have begun to adopt technologies such as fiber modification and composite spinning to achieve antibacterial and deodorizing effects at the source. For example, the "Fe³⁺-phthalocyanine derivative" fiber developed by Japan is an efficient and durable solution, which can be examined as an excellent practice case during factory inspections.

VI. Conclusion

Textile odor isn't just a sensory quality issue; it also affects product safety and corporate reputation. Inspectors must possess systematic odor identification capabilities, standardized inspection procedures, and consistent evaluation criteria. Companies should establish odor control systems across the entire supply chain, encompassing raw materials, processing, storage, and transportation. Regular factory inspections and tests ensure that products meet ecological and safety standards, enhancing market competitiveness. At China Huibang Focus, we specialize in product inspection and quarantine, testing and certification, supplier background checks, audits, and factory inspections.