NCERT Class 11 Home Science Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part II: Chapter 4 — Care and Maintenance of Fabrics
This chapter, 'Care and Maintenance of Fabrics,' from NCERT's Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part II for Class 11, emphasizes the importance of preserving the appearance and functionality of fabric products like clothing and furnishings. It details essential care practices, including mending to repair physical damage like cuts and tears before washing, and laundering for cleanliness and appearance. The chapter elaborates on stain removal techniques, classifying stains into vegetable, animal, oil, mineral, and dye bleeding types, and suggesting specific treatments involving alkaline or acidic mediums, detergents, grease solvents, or absorbents based on the stain's nature. Understanding fabric properties is key to their proper care and longevity, ensuring they retain their color, texture, and brightness throughout their expected life.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Home Science |
| Book | Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part II |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Care and Maintenance of Fabrics |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 572 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of fabric care and maintenance.
- Identify different types of fabric stains and their removal procedures.
- Describe the process of laundering, including washing and finishing.
- Explain the role of water, soaps, and detergents in cleaning fabrics.
- Relate fabric properties to their appropriate care and maintenance.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mending | Repairing damage to fabric such as cuts, tears, or holes. |
| Laundering | The process of washing and finishing fabrics to keep them clean and presentable. |
| Stain | An unwanted mark or discoloration on fabric that requires special treatment. |
| Vegetable stains | Stains from sources like tea, coffee, fruits, and vegetables, which are acidic. |
| Animal stains | Stains from sources like blood, milk, and eggs, which are protein-based. |
| Oil stains | Stains caused by oils, ghee, or butter. |
| Mineral stains | Stains from sources like ink, rust, or medicine. |
| Dye bleeding | Color transfer from one fabric to another during washing. |
| Alkaline medium | A solution with a pH greater than 7, often used to remove acidic stains. |
| Acidic medium | A solution with a pH less than 7, often used for certain types of stains. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the primary purpose of mending fabrics? Answer: To repair physical damage like cuts, tears, or holes before it worsens, especially before washing.
- How are vegetable stains generally treated? Answer: Vegetable stains are acidic and can be removed by using an alkaline medium.
- Why is it important to identify a stain before attempting to remove it? Answer: Different types of stains require specific treatments; identifying the stain ensures the correct procedure is used for effective removal without damaging the fabric.
- What are animal stains composed of, and how should they be washed? Answer: Animal stains are protein-based and should be removed using detergents in cold water only.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a category of stains mentioned in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter categorizes stains into vegetable, animal, oil, mineral, and dye bleeding. 'Synthetic stains' is not listed as a category.
Q2. Stains caused by tea and coffee fall under which category?
Explanation: Tea and coffee are derived from plants and are acidic in nature, thus classified as vegetable stains.
Q3. Protein-based stains like blood and milk are best treated with:
Explanation: Animal stains, which are protein-based, should be washed using detergents in cold water only to prevent setting.
Q4. What is the purpose of laundering beyond just washing?
Explanation: Laundering encompasses stain removal, washing to remove dirt, finishing treatments like blueing and starching, and pressing or ironing for a neat appearance.
Q5. Mineral stains, such as ink or rust, should initially be washed in:
Explanation: Mineral stains are recommended to be washed first in an acidic medium and then in an alkaline medium for effective removal.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'mending' involve in fabric care?
Mending involves repairing physical damage to fabrics, such as fixing cuts, tears, or holes, and replacing fasteners or restitching seams.
Why is it important to mend fabrics before laundering?
It's essential to mend fabrics before washing because the strain of washing can cause minor damages to worsen, leading to greater loss to the fabric.
What are the main steps included in the laundering process?
Laundering includes stain removal, preparation for washing, removing dirt by washing, finishing for appearance (like blueing and starching), and pressing or ironing.
How can vegetable stains be removed?
Vegetable stains, being acidic, can typically be removed by using an alkaline medium.
What is the recommended method for removing animal stains?
Animal stains, which are protein-based, should be treated with detergents in cold water only.
What types of stains are removed using grease solvents?
Oil stains, such as those from oils, ghee, or butter, are removed using grease solvents and absorbents.
How should mineral stains be treated?
Mineral stains should first be washed in an acidic medium and then in an alkaline medium.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Home Science — Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part II — Chapter 4 — Care and Maintenance of Fabrics. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.