National Clothesline

There are several ways to activate chemicals to aid in stain removal. The most common activation is using heat and chemicals to produce a stronger chemical action.

Every 18 degrees rise in temperature doubles a chemical action. Many chemicals, however, react better to stain removal using the element of time rather than heat and chemicals. The slow activation by a chemical will often result in more effective stain removal than a quick activation. The use of dry lubricants and solvents will also work better if allowed to remain on the stain for a longer period of time.

This is a mild oxidizing bleach with the chemical formulation H2O₂. It can be activated quickly by using heat and ammonia. It is very effective for removing scorch, the last traces of dyes, inks, tannin and protein stains.

I have found that letting the peroxide release oxygen slowly often works better and more efficiently than short term oxidation. You can use a three percent or six percent peroxide for removing staining.

On the last traces of staining, apply the peroxide with a Q-tip. Keep re-applying every 10 minutes up to one-half hour.

They are both mild oxidizing bleaches capable of releasing oxygen slowly. Their chemical reaction is similar to hydrogen peroxide.

As a board bleach, they can be applied to a stain that is damp and contains a mild lubricant.

As it becomes paste-like, allow it to remain on the stain for about one-half hour. As it dries up, apply a little more water.

After a period of time, flush the area and apply acetic acid to neutralize the area.

It also works well as an overnight bath bleach to whiten fabrics, remove redeposition and last traces of stain. Put two ounces of the bleach for every gallon of water in a small plastic pail.

Using sodium percarbonate as a bath bleach may work better than sodium perborate since it dissolves in cooler water easier.

Put a towel on the garment so it remains wet while soaking. Allow to soak overnight. Then rinse and neutralize with acetic acid (two ounces per gallon of water).

This bleach is a reducing bleach that is also affected with time. It is effective on dye stains and last traces of staining that have coloring matter. Apply to stain with a Q-tip and allow to remain on the stain for 20 minutes. Flush the area and remove any residue with rust remover. Flush the area thoroughly.

Plastic-based stains such as glue, nail polish and paint require that amyl acetate and oily type paint remover have enough time to soften the plastic first.

This means that you apply amyl acetate and oily type paint remover to remain on the staining for about 10 minutes first before applying mechanical action.

A batch run works effectively when oily-type paint remover is mixed with a low level of solvent.

After running a batch for 20 minutes, it may also help to allow the garments to soak in the oily-type paint remover formulation for another half hour. Then send the contaminated solvent to the still and run on a normal filter operation.