Different fabrics, different techniques
Standard spotting procedures sometimes must be changed according to the fabric
and fiber content. Manufacturers have developed safer products that can replace
some of the standard methods we are accustomed to using.
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Silk and wool. These fabrics are adversely affected by protein formulas, alkali
and ammonia which are used for protein and albuminous stains. We can replace
these with digesters and enzymes, which are safer and are chemically neutral.
Many companies manufacture enzyme-based spotting agents.
Protein stain removal for wool, silk and red dyed fabrics
1. Flush.
2. Neutral lubricant.
3. Mechanical action.
4. Flush.
5. Enzyme spotting agent.
6. Flush.
7. Peroxide (3%). Do not use ammonia to accelerate.
8. Heat.
9. Flush.
Protein stain procedure for other fabrics
1. Flush.
2. Neutral lubricant.
3. Mechanical action.
4. Flush.
5. Neutral lubricant plus ammonia or protein formula.
6. Mechanical action.
7. Flush.
8. Peroxide (3%) plus ammonia (test).
9. Heat.
10. Flush.
11. Acetic acid.
12. Flush.
Tannin stain removal (all fabrics except silk and acetate)
1. Flush.
2. Neutral lubricant.
3. Mechanical action.
4. Flush.
5. Acetic acid plus neutral lubricant or tannin formula.
6. Mechanical action.
7. Flush.
Test the following chemicals:
8. Oxalic acid plus heat.
9. Flush.
10. General formula.
11. Mechanical action.
12. Flush.
13. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) plus ammonia.
14. Heat.
15. Flush.
16. Acetic acid.
17. Flush.
Tannin stain method for silk and acetate
Leave out General Formula, which contains alcohol and can damage the dye on
acetate and silk. Do not use ammonia to accelerate hydrogen peroxide on silk.
Dryside stain method
1. Oily type paint remover.
2. Mechanical action.
3. Amyl acetate and oily type paint remover.
4. Mechanical action.
5. Dryclean.
On silk and acetate, use a non-aggressive oily-type paint remover. These paint
removers are usually lighter in color than the more aggressive paint removers.
Never use water to flush paint remover out of a fabric on silk, acetate and
poorly dyed fabrics.
Restoring white fabrics; removing oxidized stains
This is for all fabrics and fibers except wool and silk. The best agent to use
is a mild oxidizing agent such as sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate.
Procedure
1. Mix two ounces of sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate per gallon of water.
2. Add a mild detergent.
3. Soak overnight.
4. Rinse.
5. Sour using a mild acid such as acetic or oxalic.
6. Rinse
Whitening agent for wool and silk
The safest whitening agents for wool and silk are reducing bleaches such as
sodium hydrosulphite. Alkaline based oxidizing agents tend to yellow wool and
silk which causes a possible breakdown of a fluorescent dye.
Procedure
1. Add two ounces of sodium hydrosulphite per gallon of water in a small plastic
pail.
2. Add a mild detergent to bath to reduce odor.
3. Soak 15 minutes.
4. Rinse.
