Flame retardant cotton fabrics (Pyrovatex CP-treated) were subjected to laundering or soaking in hypochlorite bleach. The quantity of bleach and the method of bleaching are discussed with respect to changes in flammability as shown by trends in char length and elemental composition. Low concentrations of hypochlorite used for a short period of time (3.5 minutes) did not affect the flammability after 20 washes. High concentrations of hypochlorite used for a longer period of time (30 minutes) resulted in loss of flame retardancy after 6 washes. No morphological changes in the flame retardant fibers caused by the laundering and soaking were observed by scanning electron microscopy.
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