Fabric laundering using a select rinse fluid and wash fluids

Abstract

Methods of laundering fabric with a wash fluid and rinse fluid and methods of recovery of the wash fluid and rinse fluid by selecting rinse wash fluids and rinse fluid with select properties that facilitate removal of the fluids from the fabric and separation of the fluids from each other while providing adequate laundering characteristics.

1 . A process of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Contacting the fabrics with a working fluid;    (b) Contacting the fabrics with a select rinse fluid, said select rinse fluid selected for having a boiling point that is at least 30° F. below the flash point of the working fluid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one washing additive is added to the working fluid.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one washing additive is selected from the group including but not limited to: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, anti-static agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, water and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: terpenes, halohydrocarbons, glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPtB), propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), tripropylene methyl ether (TPM) and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is water.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the select rinse fluid is miscible with the working fluid and has Hanson Solubility parameters (expressed in joules/cm 3 ) with one of the following criteria: 
 (a) A polarity greater than 3 and hydrogen bonding less than 9;    (b) Hydrogen bonding less than 13 and dispersion from about 14 to about 17; or    (c) Hydrogen bonding from 13 to about 19 and dispersion from 14 to 22.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the select rinse fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: perfluorinated hydrocarbons, decafluoropentane, hydrofluoroethers, methoxynonafluorobutane, ethoxynonafluorobutane and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein contacting the fabric with a non-aqueous working fluid involves the addition of mechanical energy to provide relative movement between the fabric and working fluid.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the mechanical energy is added for a time sufficient to remove the soil from the fabric.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the mechanical energy is added by tumbling, agitating, nutating or impelling the fabric, counter-rotating the drum, liquid jetting the working fluid to rotate the fabric or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein after contacting the fabric with working fluid, a significant amount of working fluid is removed from the fabric.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein removing working fluid from the fabric comprises a centrifugal force on the fabric of at least 5G.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid comprises the addition of less than 20 liters of select rinse fluid per kilogram of fabric.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein while contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid, mechanical energy is added to the system to provide relative movement between the fabric and the select rinse fluid.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the mechanical energy is added for a time sufficient to reduce the concentration of working fluid remaining in the fabric to preferably less than 45% by weight of the fabric, more preferably less than 25% and most preferably less than 15%.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mechanical energy is added for at least 2 minutes.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein mechanical energy can be added continuously or intermittently.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein after contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid, a significant amount of select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid are removed from the fabric.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein upon removal of the select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid, the mixture is re-circulated back to the fabric.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the removal of the select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid involves passing a drying gas over the fabric.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the drying gas is selected from air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the temperature of the drying gas should be controlled such that the temperature of the fabric does not exceed 140° F.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the temperature of the drying gas should be controlled such that the temperature of the working fluid does not exceed 30° F. below the flash point of the working fluid.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the drying gas is passed over a condensing means to remove some of the working fluid and select rinse fluid vapor prior to re-contacting the fabric.  
     
     
         26 . A process of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Washing fabrics with a working fluid that attaches to the fiber by osmosis and/or hydrogen bonding;    (b) Removing most of the working fluid from the fabric; and    (c) Removing most of the remaining working fluid by contacting the working fluid-containing fabric with a select rinse fluid in which the working fluid is miscible, said select rinse fluid having a surface tension less than the surface tension of the working fluid under conditions to remove at least some of the working fluid from the fabric.    
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the working fluid is selected from the group including but not limited to: glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 27  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPtB), propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), tripropylene methyl ether (TPM) and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the working fluid is water.  
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 26  wherein at least one washing additive is added to the working fluid.  
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 30  wherein the at least one washing additive is selected from the group including but not limited to: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, anti-static agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, water and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the select rinse fluid has a Hanson Solubility Parameter selected from one of the following: 
 (a) Hydrogen bonding from about 13 to about 19 and a dispersion factor from about 14 to about 22;    (b) Hydrogen bonding less than 13 and dispersion from 14 to 17; or    (c) Polarity greater than 3 and hydrogen bonding less than 9.    
     
     
         33 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the select rinse fluid has a vapor pressure greater than 5 mm Hg.  
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the mechanical removal is performed in a perforated drum capable of providing more than 1 G of force to the fabric.  
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 26  wherein the removal of the working fluid step is completed while the perforated drum is spinning at a force of at least 1G and the select rinse fluid is sprayed onto the fabrics while the fabrics are spinning at a velocity sufficient to move the fabric toward the wall of the drum.  
     
     
         36 . The process of  claim 26  wherein after the removal of the working fluid step, a significant amount of select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid are removed by a centrifugal force greater than 5G.  
     
     
         37 . The process of  claim 36  wherein after the centrifugal spin, a drying gas is passed over the fabrics.  
     
     
         38 . The process of  claim 37  wherein the drying gas can be selected from air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         39 . The process of  claim 37  wherein the temperature of the fabric is controlled so that the temperature thereof does not exceed 140° F.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the temperature of the drying gas is controlled such that the temperature of working fluid does not exceed 30° F. below the flash point of the working fluid.  
     
     
         41 . The process of  claim 37  wherein drying gas is passed over the fabrics until select rinse fluid and working fluid concentration is preferably less than 8% by weight of the fabric, more preferably less than 5% and most preferably less than 2%.  
     
     
         42 . A process of laundering fabrics with a working fluid wherein the working fluid has an affinity to the fibers of the fabric comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Removing most of the working fluid from the fabric;    (b) Passing a select rinse fluid through the fabric under conditions which extract at least some of the working fluid from the fibers of the fabric; and    (c) Vaporizing remaining select rinse fluid and working fluid from the fabric and leave the fabric in an essentially dry condition.    
     
     
         43 . The process of  claim 42  wherein the working fluid is selected from the group including but not limited to: glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         44 . The process of  claim 43  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPtB), propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), tripropylene methyl ether (TPM) and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         45 . The process of  claim 42  wherein the working fluid is water.  
     
     
         46 . The process of  claim 42  wherein at least one washing additive is added to the working fluid.  
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 46  wherein the washing additive is selected from the group including but not limited to: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, anti-static agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, water and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 42  wherein the select rinse fluid is selected for having one of the following Hanson Solubility Parameters: 
 (a) A polarity greater than 3 and hydrogen bonding less than 9;    (b) Hydrogen bonding less than 13 and dispersion from about 14 to 17; or    (c) Hydrogen bonding from 13 to about 19 and dispersion from 14 to 22.    
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 48  wherein the select rinse fluid is selected from the group including but not limited to: perfluorinated hydrocarbons, decafluoropentane, hydrofluoroethers, methoxynonafluorobutane, ethoxynonafluorobutane and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 49  wherein the select rinse fluid's vapor pressure is greater than 5 mm Hg.  
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 42  wherein mechanical energy is added to the working fluid and fabric to promote soil removal.  
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 51  wherein the mechanical energy is added for at least 5 minutes.  
     
     
         53 . The process of  claim 52  wherein the mechanical energy can be added continuously or intermittently.  
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 42  wherein removing the working fluid from the fabric comprises a centrifugal spin of at least 5G.  
     
     
         55 . The process of  claim 42  wherein less than 20 liters of select rinse fluid per kilogram of cloth should be introduced to extract the working fluid.  
     
     
         56 . The process of  claim 42  wherein mechanical energy is added while the select rinse fluid is introduced to enhance the extraction capabilities of the select rinse fluid.  
     
     
         57 . The process of  claim 56  wherein the mechanical energy should be introduced for a time sufficient to lower the concentration of working fluid in the fabric to preferably less than 45% by weight of the fabric, more preferably less than 25% and most preferably less than 15%.  
     
     
         58 . The process of  claim 42  wherein vaporizing the remaining working fluid and select rinse fluid involves passing a drying gas over the fabrics.  
     
     
         59 . The process of  claim 58  wherein the drying gas is selected from air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the temperature of the fabric should not exceed 140° F.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the temperature of the drying gas should be controlled such that the temperature of the working fluid does not exceed 30° F. below the flash point of the working fluid.  
     
     
         62 . A method of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of: 
 (a) Contacting the fabric with a non-aqueous working fluid selected for having a flash point of at least 100° F.; and    (b) Contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid wherein the select rinse fluid increases the flash point of the working fluid and select rinse fluid mixture to at least 200° F.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein at least one washing additive is added to the non-aqueous working fluid to promote soil removal and fabric cleaning.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the at least one washing additive is selected from the group including but not limited to: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, anti-static agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, water and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the non-aqueous working fluid is further characterized by a surface tension less than 35 dynes/cm.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: terpenes, halohydrocarbons, glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66  wherein the working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPtB), propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), tripropylene methyl ether (TPM) and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the select rinse fluid is selected to have the following properties: 
 (a) a viscosity less than the viscosity of the working fluid; and    (b) a vapor pressure greater than 5 mm Hg at standard conditions.    
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the select rinse fluid is non-flammable.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the select rinse fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: perfluorinated hydrocarbons, decafluoropentane, hydrofluoroethers, methoxynonafluorobutane, ethoxynonafluorobutane and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 62  wherein prior to contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid, a significant amount of the working fluid is separated from the fabric via a mechanical means.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 62  wherein contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid occurs while mechanical energy is being added to provide relative movement between the select rinse fluid, remaining working fluid and fabric.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72  wherein adding mechanical energy involves rotating a perforated drum.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 62  wherein less than 20 liters of select rinse fluid is added per kilogram of fabric.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the mechanical energy moves the fabric toward the surface of the drum.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 73  wherein at least 1G of centrifugal force is added to provide relative movement between the remaining fluids and the fabric.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 62  wherein after contacting the fabric with a select rinse fluid, a significant amount of select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid are removed from the fabric.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77  wherein the removal of the select rinse fluid and remaining working fluid comprises contacting the fabrics with a drying gas.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein contacting the fabric with a drying gas further comprises heating the drying gas.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  wherein temperature of the system is controlled to 30° F. below the flash point of the select rinse fluid and working fluid mixture.  
     
     
         81 . A method of laundering fabrics in a drum of a laundering apparatus comprising steps of: 
 (a) Placing a fabric load of less than 0.10 kg fabric per liter of drum in the drum;    (b) Washing the fabric with a non-aqueous fluid for a first predetermined period of time;    (c) Removing a substantial portion of non-aqueous fluid from the fabric load for a second predetermined period of time;    (d) Washing the fabric and remaining non-aqueous fluid with a select rinse fluid for a third predetermined period of time; and    (e) Removing a substantial portion of said select rinse fluid and remaining non-aqueous fluid from the fabric for a fourth predetermined period of time;    (f) wherein the total cycle time of said first through forth predetermined periods of time is less than 80 minutes.    
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81  wherein the non-aqueous working fluid is selected from the group including but not limited to: terpenes, halohydrocarbons, glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81  wherein the non-aqueous working fluid is selected for having a solubility in water less than 20%.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the non-aqueous fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to terpenes, halohydrocarbons, glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84  wherein the non-aqueous working fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPtB), propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), tripropylene methyl ether (TPM) and/or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 81  wherein the select rinse fluid is miscible with the working fluid and has Hanson Solubility parameters (expressed in joules/cm3) with one of the following criteria: 
 (a) A polarity greater than 3 and hydrogen bonding less than 9;    (b) Hydrogen bonding less than 13 and dispersion from 14 to 17; or    (c) Hydrogen bonding from 13 to 19 and dispersion from 14 to 22.    
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86  wherein the select rinse fluid is further selected for having a vapor pressure greater than 5 mm Hg at standard conditions and a surface tension less than the surface tension of the working fluid.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the select rinse fluid is further selected from the group including but not limited to: perfluorinated hydrocarbons, decafluoropentane, hydrofluoroethers, methoxynonafluorobutane, ethoxynonafluorobutane and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said first predetermined period of time is less than 20 minutes.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said first predetermined period of time is approximately 10 minutes.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said second predetermined period of time is less than 10 minutes.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said second predetermined period of time is less than 7 minutes.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said third predetermined period of time is less than 10 minutes.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said third predetermined period of time is approximately 5 minutes.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said forth predetermined period of time is less than 40 minutes.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 81  wherein said total cycle time is less than 10 minutes.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 81  wherein the non-aqueous working fluid is selected for having a solubility in water less than 20%.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 81  wherein removing the non-aqueous fluid from the fabric load comprises by at least one of the following steps: centrifugation, liquid extraction, the application of a vacuum, the application of forced heated air, the application of pressurized air, simply allowing gravity to draw the wash liquor away from the fabric, the application of moisture/wash liquor absorbing materials or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 81  wherein the preferred rinse fluid is selected for having a surface tension less than the surface tension of the non-aqueous fluid.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99  wherein the preferred rinse fluid is further selected for having a vapor pressure higher than the vapor pressure of the non-aqueous fluid.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 81  wherein washing the fabric with a preferred rinse fluid comprises contacting the fabric with less than 10 liters of preferred rinse fluid per kilogram of fabric.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 81  wherein removing the preferred rinse fluid from the fabric load comprises by at least one of the following steps: centrifugation, liquid extraction, the application of a vacuum, the application of forced heated air, the application of pressurized air, simply allowing gravity to draw the wash liquor away from the fabric, the application of moisture/wash liquor absorbing materials or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 81  wherein removing the preferred rinse fluid and remaining non-aqueous fluid is completed until less than 2% of fluid remains.