Supplying the spotting department
I have received many requests from
cleaner/spotters and inexperienced owners regarding the use of
spotting chemicals, bleaches, digesters and dye strippers
— what they are and how to purchase them from regular
suppliers and other sources (when not stocked normally). These
items are listed in the textbook that accompanies my spotting
video and are summarized herein.
First, let’s go to the spotting
board where most of the popular chemicals should be stored for
use in most normal spotting situations and correlate them to
their trade names.
Oily-type paint remover (POG)
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Trade names for spotting drycleaning are:
Pyratex (R.R. Street), RX (Caled), American POG (Adco), POG
(Laidlaw), P.O.G. & Flick (Stamford), Targo-Dry &
Targo-Wet (Wilson), Super POG (Kleerwite).
Amyl Acetate (CP)
This is generic only. Most all
distributors sell this as “chemically pure” (CP).
It’s also sold by industrial chemical companies. Make
absolutely certain that it is chemically pure (CP).
This solvent can be flushed either dry or
wet, although it works better as a dry side solvent.
It is very good as a nail polish remover
and for most adhesives. It is very toxic, so keep the vacuum on
and good ventilation in the area of the spotting board.
Volatile dry solvent
The generic is trichloroethylene (CP). It
is used both as a dry flushing solvent for oily-type paint
remover and amyl acetate, and it is a quick remover of loose
“pick up” dirt, grease and oils. It is the base for
wet-dry spotting agent.
Trade names: Picrin (R.R. Street), Fast
PR (Caled), Puro (Adco), V.D.S. (Laidlaw), VOL (Stamford).
Wet-dry
This is prepared by mixing two parts
spray spotter detergent or neutral synthetic detergent with one
part volatile dry solvent.
It can be flushed either on the dry side
or on the wet side. After flushing, it can be followed either
by a dry side chemical or wet side chemical depending upon
which “side” was used. It is a neutral zone pH and
a good pre-spotter for ground-in soil, ring-around- the-collar,
latex paint and mystery stains (wet, dry or both).
Trade names: 2-l (R.R. Street), MR.
Signal+Fast PR (Caled), Neutra+Puro (Adco), Boot+V.D.S.
(Laidlaw), SPOL-pre-mixed (Stamford), SpotsGo+Volatile Dry
Solvent (Wilson), Kleerspray+V.D.S. (Kleerwite).
Neutral synthetic detergent (lubricant)
This is used on the wet side. Neutral pH
permits use on all wet side spots.
Trade names: Mulsolite (R.R. Street),
Zuds (Caled), Neutra (Adco), Tergit (Laidlaw), Acquadol
(Stamford), Kleerspray (Kleerwite).
Digester (enzymes)
Available in either powder or liquid.
Neutral pH. Better when used with a little neutral synthetic
detergent. Use on food and blood.
Trade names: Devour-liquid (R.R. Street),
RSR-powder (Laidlaw).
Protein formula
An alkaline pH liquid mixed with a
neutral synthetic detergent, etc. It will set a tannin stain.
Use on animal, fish, fowl and blood.
Trade names: Streetpro (R.R. Street),
Pro-Te-Cal and Pro-Te-Cal Plus (Caled), BPR and Protein Spotter
(Adco), Proteen (Laidlaw), QuickGo (Wilson), PROform
(Kleerwite).
Ammonia (26°F, baume)
Generic name: ammonium hydroxide. It is
mixed two parts ammonia (26 degrees F, baume) with one part
water and a little neutral synthetic detergent. Sold by supply
distributors. It will set a tannin stain. Use like protein
formula and also on fungus.
It is also sold by industrial chemical
supply companies and most super markets. Make sure that it is
clear, not cloudy with detergent, and is close to 26° F
when purchased in the supermarket.
Acetic acid (28%)
This is generic. Do not purchase glacial
acetic. If only 56% acetic acid is available, immediately make
two 28% strength gallons out of the one 56% strength gallon to
avoid damage to some fibers in spotting. Mix two parts acetic
acid (28%) with one part water and a little neutral synthetic
detergent. Good for tannin, beverage, yellow and blue/black
dyes.
It is sold by most all supply
distributors and also by industrial chemical supply companies.
Tannin formula
An acidic pH liquid mixed with a neutral
synthetic detergent, etc.
Trade names: Streetan (R.R. Street),
Tan-E-Cal and Tan-E-Cal Plus (Caled), Super Tan (Adco), Ban-Tan
(Laidlaw), Trik (Stamford), BonGo (Wilson), TANaway
(Kleerwite).
General formula
This is a stronger acidic pH liquid that
contains several acids and glycerin to retard evaporation. It
can also be used as a rust remover for glass and metallic
fibers since it contains oxalic acid. It should be applied to a
dry surface and flushed with water.
Trade names: General Formula 209 (R.R.
Street) and General Formula (Adco).
Rust remover
Some contain hydrofluoric acid and some
contain oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is for glass and metallic
fibers since hydrofluoric acid will dissolve the glass and
tarnsih the metallic. Hydrofluoric acid is more effective on
all other fibers, but it needs to be neutralized with an alkali
after it has been flushed.
Generic hydrofluoric acid and oxalic acid
are also sold by industrial chemical supply companies.
Trade names: Erusticator (Pennwalt), Rust
Remover (Adco), Rust Aid (Laidlaw), RustGo (Wilson), Rust
Buster (Kleerwite).
The following spotting chemicals are
considered as special agents, and they are not used as
frequently as the more popular agents mentioned above:
Acetone
Solvent is generic and has a slight
alcohol odor. An excellent Super Glue remover, but it must not
be used on fabric that contains acetate since it will dissolve
it.
It is generic and can be purchased from
most supply distributors or from industrial chemical supply
companies. Other trade products for glue removal are available
from supply distributors.
Methyl alcohol
This is generic and is found in General
Formula and most dry side oily-type paint removers. It is very
good for removal of shellac if alternated with oily-type paint
remover.
It will set a protein stain. It can be
flushed either by water, wet steam or volatile dry solvent.
It can be purchased from some
well-stocked supply distributors or from industrial chemical
supply companies.
K.O.H.
This is generic and must be prepared by a
local pharmacist or industrial chemist since it is not
permitted for shipment by U.S. Post Office.
It is prepared by dissolving nine grams
potassium hydroxide pellets into one quart of normal butyl
alcohol (usually takes overnight) in a dark colored bottle.
It is very good for oxidized oil removal.
It must be applied and then tamped every ten minutes for a few
times, and it must be kept dry since moisture will make its
alkalinity very aggressive.
It must be flushed with petroleum or
hydrocarbon solvent, not perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene
solvents, and then re-cleaned.
After cleaning, the stained area should
be neutralized with 28% acetic acid or tannin formula.
Trade name substitute: OxyGONE
(Kleerwite).
Glycerin
A thick substance, neutral pH,
water-soluble. When applied to a wet surface it will retard
vaporization and maintain wetness for a long period of time.
It is very popular with digesting a spot
on the spotting board. It is also a lubricant and will
penetrate and soften a crusty stain. It may be purchased at any
pharmacy or industrial chemical supply companies.
Oxidizing Bleaches
The following bleaches are oxidizing
(permanent) and impart oxygen to the stain:
Sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate
White powder, generic, very alkaline, not
used on animal fibers (silk and wool), must be neutralized with
an acid after flushing. Can be purchased from supply
distributors or industrial chemical supply companies.
Trade name: ENLIGHTEN (Kleerwite).
Hydrogen peroxide, 3%
A generic liquid that can be purchased
from a pharmacy or supermarket. It is acidic and made more
aggressive by adding ammonia. It is safe on all fibers and
popular on white wool and silk.
Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine)
This is either in liquid or powder form,
very alkaline and should be used only on cotton and polyester
fibers. Acetic acid makes it more aggressive.
After flushing with water or wet steam,
apply an anti-chlor to the area to decompose it. Use a Turkish
towel under the garment.
For spotting, purchase at a supermarket
and mix with three parts water.
Reducing Bleaches
The following are reducing bleaches and
remove oxygen from the stain. This can be reversed by imparting
oxygen back into the stain.
Sodium bisulfite
In powder form, acidic pH and is generic.
It is safe on all fibers. Also, it can be used in liquid form
by mixing one ounce to a spotting bottle of water.
Acetic acid and heat make it more
aggressive. It is used as an anti-chlor to decompose chlorine
bleach and remove iodine, red wine and photo developer stains
when used alternately with acetic acid. It is safe on all
fibers.
It can be purchased from well-stocked
chemical supply distributors who sell laundry supplies or from
industrial chemical supply companies.
Sodium hydrosulfite
In powder form, acidic pH and is generic,
but it is sold by supply distributors as packaged by some
drycleaning chemical manufacturers
It is a stripper and is used to
remove migrated dye from white fabrics. It will make white
fabrics whiter. It is safe on all fibers. It can be used in
liquid form by mixing one ounce to a spotting bottle of water.
Heat and acid makes it more aggressive.
Also good as an anti-chlor.
Trade nems: Streepene (R.R. Street),
DroGo-B (Wilson).
Titanium sulfate
In liquid form, acidic pH, generic, but
sold by supply distributors as packaged by some drycleaning
chemical manufacturers. It is a stripper and is used to remove
migrated dye from colored fabrics. Heat and acid make it more
aggressive.
For spotting, mix 3Ž4 ounce to a spotting
bottle of cool water. Can be reversed sometimes by adding
ammonia to the area.
Trade names: Color Stripper (R.R.
Street), CalStrip (Caled), YellowGo (Wilson), Titan
(Kleerwite).
A comprehensive discussion on bleaches
and chemicals can be found in my textbook accompanied by my
stain removal video. If any manufacturer has been omitted it
was not intentional since I do not endorse any particular trade
product unless it is the only one available for purchase.
Note: My spotting video, “The
Caplan Method of Stain Removal,” which includes my
comprehensive text (edited by Hal Horning) and handy spotting
board reference, is available in English, Spanish and Korean
(video only). A special disc for South America equipment is
also available through Golomb Group (e-mail:
dennismccrory@golombgroup.com or phone (800) 679-5856) or by
this writer. A lecture and demonstration are presented similar
to my classes over the years at IFI and SDA schools. This video
and text are ideal for training inexperienced spotters as well
as a good review for experienced spotters. Digesting,
bleaching, oxidized oil stains and caramelized sugar stains are
discussed completely. An article on “Removing Spots in
the Cleaning Machine” for perc and hydrocarbon/Stoddard
solvents is included in the text.
Also available is my video on
step-by-step shirt finishing which includes my comprehensive
text in loose-leaf form outlining each procedure for
single-operator and two-operator cabinet shirt unit using a
cabinet sleeve press. Proper forming of the collar using heated
collar formers is demonstrated. Each lay is demonstrated for
top quality and production with very little effort. Attractive
detailing and packaging of the hung shirt, padding, steam
pressures and timing are all discussed. A unique wash formula
for whiter whites and brighter colors and removal of grease and
body oils is included in the textbook.
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