Method for vapor phase treating garments

A process for vapor phase treating garments, each having cellulosic or natural protein fibers therein and being supported in a substantially wrinkle-free condition on a form, with moisture, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide, comprising:

• (a) grouping such garments into first and subsequent batches each consisting of a plurality of garments and each being of substantially the same size;
• (b) indexing the defined first batch of garments to a first area of isolation and holding it there to introduce moisture into such garments;
• (c) indexing the defined first batch of garments then to a second area of isolation and holding it there to subject such garments to formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide vapors;
• (d) indexing the defined first batch of garments next to a third area of isolation and holding it there to heat and dry such garments;
• (e) indexing the defined first batch of garments thereafter to a fourth area of isolation and holding it there to vapor clean the garments and remove formaldehyde odor therefrom;
• (f) indexing the defined first batch of garments lastly from the fourth area of isolation for concluding the process;
• and
• (g) performing the steps of the above subparagraphs a, b, c, d, e, and f sequentially on the subsequent batches of garments, whereby the process is carried out simultaneously and progressively in steps on the separate batches of garments alternately being indexed relative to and being held at the respective areas of isolation, so that when a given batch of garments is in a particular one of said areas of isolation, the subsequent batches are in the preceding areas of isolation.