Moisture Control Management SOP for Garments industry

Moisture Control Management SOP for the Garments industry

Moisture Management
Moisture management is an important part of preventing mold from a product for any manufacturing industry. Especially garments that attract mold easily and affect the product. Mold issues on garments products threaten company business. So this is a very sensitive issue for garment manufacturers and retailers. In this article, we explain Moisture Control Management SOP for the garments industry.

Objectives of this SOP:

To provide a documented procedure for correct control & management system of moisture control in garments and the moisture content in the garments which we are going to ship is below an agreed limit to prevent mold.

• Purpose: To prescribe procedures for the control & management of moisture in garments.
• Scope: To define roles/responsibilities of various functions responsible for moisture control management.
• Responsible person: Responsible person name assigned by factory management.
• Review date: The SOP will be reviewed annually but it can happen at any logical time and date with appropriate approval.

Moisture Control Management Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Apparel industry:

1. The store manager will make sure that delivered fabric/ thread/ accessory goods are well-protected and in good condition. Store responsible will store them in a clean well-ventilated room, on pallets, not touching the walls.
2. If any goods are not received in good condition or well protected, the Store Manager will immediately inform the relevant Merchandiser & the Merchandiser will take further steps to resolve the issue.
3. For accessories check, according to Sampling Plan- AQL 2.5 (Level-II) accessories inspector will check the accessories’ Moisture and keep the record in the Moisture Check form.
4. The housekeeping responsible will make sure that working surfaces are regularly cleaned. Walls, ceilings, and floors are cleaned regularly with dilute detergent, disinfectant, or dilute bleach on walls and floors. Dust will be removed from shelves and will cleaned in the factory regular basis.
5. Garments will be produced in clean conditions and kept off the floor during production.
6. Wet and damp products will not be packed until goods are properly dry.
7. After pressing garments, those goods will not be packed immediately as there is a possibility that some moisture from steaming will still be in the pressed goods.
8. Pressed garments will not stack too high as garments in the middle will not cool properly & dampness will remain in the garments.
9. The ironing steam standard will be kept at the minimum standard.
10. Aqua Boy Moisture Meter will be used for Moisture and Humidity checks. In Aqua Boy Moisture Meter indicates 02 different readings, the Top scale indicates “Accurate measurement of moisture percentage” and the Lower scale indicates the “Moisture content of sample directly in percentage”. The QC will keep both records.
11. For the Aqua Boy Moisture Meter calibration check, Check with skin humidity (100% is normal for the human body), Press the red button to check the battery, and the white button to measure moisture (%).
12. The acceptance level for the Top scale is 56% & for a lower scale of 7%.
13. When the Moisture and Humidity are out of Tolerance, it should be mentioned in comments in the report.
14. Before cartooning, the ready-to-pack goods will be checked for moisture levels randomly.
15. The 10% finished carton will be opened to check moisture from each PO & each lot & garment will be checked as per AQL.
16. It is necessary to mention the buyer’s name, order number, color name & Lot number in the report.
17. From each sample Carton top, middle, and bottom garments/accessories will be checked for Moisture and Humidity.
18. Some documents should be photographed with the report of the order as a document.
19. The report has to be signed by a Quality Manager with the name.
20. The moisture meter will be calibrated every year.
21. According to some customers’ requirements, Super Dry is used.

Moisture is the root of growing mold in the garments goods. If you can control moisture in the garment, then it is GAME OVER for mold control and a safe business ahead for any garments manufacturer.