Sanfor

Sanfor is a registered trademark and a globally recognized textile finishing standard. The name derives from Sanford L. Cluett (1874–1968), an American inventor and nephew of the Cluett brothers who built a shirt-making business in Troy, New York. Cluett joined the family firm in 1919 and became a prolific inventor with around 200 patents. His invention, which carries the name "Sanfor," made it possible to wash textiles repeatedly without shrinkage. The trademark is now managed by an organization based in Henfenfeld, Germany, which licenses the process to textile manufacturers worldwide. The service offering includes continuous technical support for licensees, shrinkage standards for woven and knitted fabrics, cost-saving advice, and license contracts for new agreements and renewals. The brand is well known among both trade and consumers as a mark of quality for pre-shrunk fabrics.

The Sanfor trademark traces its origins to Sanford L. Cluett (1874–1968), an American inventor born in Troy, New York. He was a nephew of the three Cluett brothers who established a successful shirt-making business in Troy, known for detachable collars and shirt manufacturing. For the first 45 years of his life, Cluett was not involved in the family business. He was a curious and meticulous man, eventually becoming an inventor with around 200 patents to his name. He joined the family company in 1919, at a time when its Troy factories were producing three million detachable shirt collars per week and shipping them worldwide. Around 1920, consumer preferences shifted toward softer collars sewn directly onto shirts. The company adapted by making shirts with attached collars, but faced the problem of shrinkage after washing. Cluett's invention, which would bear the name "Sanfor," solved this by making it possible to wash textiles repeatedly without shrinkage. The trademark became globally known among trade and consumers. Today, the Sanfor trademark is managed from Henfenfeld, Germany, where a licensing organization provides technical service, shrinkage standards, cost-saving advice, and license contracts to manufacturers worldwide.

• 1920

  Consumer preference shifts to softer, attached collars; the company addresses shrinkage with Cluett's invention.

• 1919

  Cluett joins the family shirt-making business.

• 1874

  Sanford L. Cluett is born in Troy, New York.

A globally recognized quality mark for pre-shrunk textiles, licensed to manufacturers and supported by continuous technical service.

• Sanfor shrinkage-control process

  A textile finishing process that prevents shrinkage during washing.

1. 1Homesanforized.de
2. 2Wer war Sanford L. Cluett?sanforized.de
3. 3Sanforwikidata.org