National Clothesline

Stain identification can be easy if we clear our minds of complications. We often try too hard to analyze the exact stain instead of merely narrowing the stain to a group or category. This means instead of attempting to identify hundreds of stains, we can identify and classify only four stains.

Tannin. These are stains that originate from plant or vegetable matter. They include coffee, tea, many medicines, liquor, soft drinks, fruits, vegetables, etc. It does not matter which one the staining is as long as we put it in a category.

Protein. This is any stain originating from a living body and includes blood, urine, perspiration, vomit, milk, etc.

Dryside. This includes paint, oil, grease, nail polish, ink, etc.

Combination. If we combine tannin, protein or dryside, we may have stains such as coffee and milk, chocolate, mustard, etc.

Appearance. This means examining the shape of the stain and its consistency.

Tannin stains tend to form dark circular rings. Starch and protein stains will turn white when scratched.

Oil stains tend to form a cross or T since they follow the weave of the fabric. Oil also tends to be a smaller stain than tannin and usually does not have dark rings.

The most mistaken stain to differentiate is oil and tannin. When in doubt, always work the stain as a dryside or oil stain to avoid setting the stain.

Feel. Protein and albuminous stains usually have some feel while most tannins do not. Paint, nail polish and glue will almost always have a stiff feel.

Penetration. Did the stain penetrate to the opposite side of the fabric? Most wetside stains and oil will penetrate to the opposite side. Stains such as paint, lipstick, nail polish and ball point ink remain on the surface.

Location. We know that perspiration, deodorants and make-up can be found on the underarm and collar areas. Ink is found by the pocket area, while food and beverages can be found on the front and sleeve area. Other logical assumptions can be made for shoe dye, mud and newsprint.

Type of garment. If I am examining a gown or evening wear, I will most logically be looking for a tannin stain. This is not to exclude other stains. It is just a calculation based on experience.

Odor. When steam is applied to many stains you can notice an odor. This includes perspiration, deodorants, coffee, mildew, etc.

In most cases, we can attempt to identify stains making stain removal faster and easier. There are instances, however, when we cannot identify the stains.

Our approach in dealing with an unidentified stain is based on the process of elimination, bearing in mind that we do not want to set the stain. We therefore start with the dryside method, then tannin, then protein. We eliminate using general formula in the tannin procedure since this can set protein stains.

We also never use alkali on tannin stains since it will set these stains.

Oily-type paint remover.

Mechanical action.

Oily-type paint remover and amyl acetates.

Mechanical action.

Dryclean before proceeding to wetside method. Flush.

Neutral lubricant.

Mechanical action. Flush.

Tannin formula.

Mechanical action. Flush.

Acetic acid and neutral lubricant.

Mechanical action. Flush.

Oxalic acid.

Rust remover.

Heat. Flush.

Protein formula.

Mechanical action. Flush.

Ammonia plus neutral lubricant.

Mechanical action. Flush.

Peroxide plus ammonia.

Heat. Flush.

Acid.

Bleach.