The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.

[kadioguy]

The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/-dye
---
Why is the present simple used? In what context could it be used there? For example, the actions happen once a month or something like that?

 

[emsr2d2]

It simply describes a process that is repeated over and over. It's a habitual action.

 

[dunchee]

......
..... In what context could it be used there? ....

Here is one example:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/calico-textile
(Last paragraph: "A considerable amount of calico is bleached, dyed, and printed for ...")

Another example:
("How it's made" is one of my favorite TV programs. The verb tense in the program's title pretty much answers your question. )

Note: Watch from the beginning. You'll notice other tenses are also used. Of course they don't mean the same thing.

 

[kadioguy]

The fabric is bleached, dyed, and then washed.
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/-dye
---
Why is the present simple used? In what context could it be used there? For example, the actions happen once a month or something like that?

Thank you both.

What cofused me is "the fabric". It sounds to me as if the same (piece of) fabric is repeatedly bleached, dyed, and then washed. Why would we do that?

 

[Tarheel]

No. They do the first thing and then the next thing and then the next thing.

 

[kadioguy]

No. They do the first thing and then the next thing and then the next thing.

But the present simple is used, which means that they do the first thing and then the next thing and then the next thing with the same (piece of) fabric over and over again (habitual). Why would they do so?

[Edit: Changed "for" to "with"]

 

[Tarheel]

No. They don't do it over and over and over with the same piece of fabric. They do the same thing every time.

 

[kadioguy]

No. They don't do it over and over and over with the same piece of fabric. They do the same thing every time.

So they do the same thing every time with different pieces of fabric.

Then "the fabric" doesn't mean the same piece of fabric, but means something like "this kind of fabric" (in general).

Is that right?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes.

 

[tedmc]

I think the present tense's function as a statement of fact/truth sounds more logical than "repeated action" in this case.

 

[Tdol]

It's a fact- they do this to every piece of fabric undergoing this process.