National Clothesline

Last month we began a discussion of wide range of spotting formulations from manufacturers

along with spotting procedures. It is important to know the full characteristics of the spotting chemicals you are using and their effect on stains as well as fabrics and dyes.

We continue with that topic this month.

There is a whole line of paint removers sold by various chemical manufacturers and the composition of these agents varies greatly.

Oily-type paint removers are used to remove dryside stains such as grease, oxidized oil, paint, cosmetic stains and ink.

Some paint removers are very strong and more aggressive on stains and fabrics than others. This means that the stain removal may be easier but poses more of a risk to fabrics and color and also contributes to odor in your solvent.

Stronger and more aggressive paint removers are usually darker in color with a very pungent odor.

These agents can be dangerous to acetate and silk fiber, especially when in contact with water. Water releases alcohol from the paint remover, causing colors to bleed.

If paint remover is left on a fabric for a period of time, moisture in the air can also cause alcohol to be released and affect the dye.

Prolonged contact with paint remover can be difficult to remove from some fabrics. I have also found that cleaners who have a solvent odor problem often were using too much paint remover for pre-spotting.

If water is used with paint remover, it can be effective for removing dye stains but careful testing on an unexposed area is necessary to determine fabric safety.

Summary: Choose the paint remover that suits your spotting needs. If a color change occurs on a fabric, it is usually an acid color change and can be neutralized with a mild alkali.

Paint remover should not be used on pigment or surface printed fabrics.

Paint removers should not be used when prespotting garments to be wetcleaned since the chemical residue in the water might be prohibited by EPA regulations.

This is a dryside solvent referred to as banana oil for its distinctive odor. This should be purchased CP or chemically pure. It is used to remove plastic-based stains such as paint, nail polish and glue.

Some spotters are afraid to use amyl acetate on certain fabrics such as silk and acetate. Amyl acetate is safe to all fabrics but may affect certain plastic trimmings and coatings.

Amyl acetate is flammable and must not be stored near an open flame. Amyl acetate is used in conjunction with oily-type paint remover whenever there is a need for mechanical action.

Summary: Amyl acetate is the best solvent to check serviceability of beading and trimming. Put a drop on your fingertip and touch an area of the trimming and noting if it becomes sticky or tacky.

Acetone is the strongest solvent available for plastic-based stains. It is highly flammable and should be used carefully.

Acetone is available in nail polish removers or paint stores. Acetone can not be used on acetate or tri-acetate fabrics as it will cause the fabrics to dissolve.

Acetone is the most effective solvent to use for the most difficult plastic-based stains such as super glue or plastic coatings. Acetone is also used on plastic-based stains that amyl acetate is not effective on. Acetone is safe to most other fabrics including wool, silk, nylon and polyester.

Summary: I have found that when acetone is mixed with volatile dry solvent it becomes a very effective agent to use.

This is a fast drying solvent that is effective for surface cleaning women’s cloth shoes, belts and hats. It is also effective for removing pick-for up dirt and hand cleaning any items that cannot be drycleaned. It can be used to flush out dryside agents such as oily-type paint remover to avoid letting it stay in the fabric for a long time.

Summary: Volatile dry solvent mixed with a spray spotter is an effective mixture for soil removal.

There are many pre-spotting agents on the market used to remove soil and level out rings. Some pre-spotting agents may contain perc, which is against environmental regulations in many states.

Check the MSDS sheet to make sure the agent is free of solvent. Many spray spotters are on the market and they are almost always free of solvent and are effective for soil removal as well as a leveling agent.

When using a leveling agent to remove wetside rings, the area should be allowed to dry first before cleaning.

Do not use a large amount of paint removers as the prespotting agent since this can contribute to odor in the solvent.

Some chemical companies make protein and tannin formulas with built-in leveling agents that makes it effective for use.