National Clothesline

Many trimmings used by manufacturers can cause staining. Staining may appear on other fabrics in the load and the cause and origin of the staining may not be easily traced to the trimming that caused the problem.

Many plastic-based trimmings and buttons may be made of polystyrene plastic which is a type of plastic that is partially or entirely soluble in drycleaning solvents. This may cause staining on the fabric it came from as well as transferred to other fabrics in the load.

More aggressive solvents such as perchlorethylene are more likely to dissolve the beading than hydrocarbon solvents.

Please note that hydrocarbon solvents are not exempt from causing problems to trimmings.

Correction. Plastic based staining is best removed using amyl acetate. The staining does not react with regular solvents even though the solvents caused the problem.

There are some polyurethane coatings that are made to imitate leather and are affected by drycleaning solvents. The coating is loosened during drycleaning and transfer takes place during the drying cycle. This type of staining can be very difficult to correct.

Correction. The routine procedure of using oily type paint remover and amyl acetate is usually not effective. The following procedure should be tried.

Acetone. This is a solvent used for nail polish removal. It has the ability to dissolve acetate and tri-acetate fabrics and therefore should not be used on these fabrics.

I have been able to mix acetone with volatile dry solvent and find a three-to-one mixture very effective. This can be brushed or tamped and then the item is drycleaned. Another effective agent to try is a two-in-one formula. This is a mixture of spray spotter and volatile dry solvent. This is also worked with a brush and spatula and then the item is recleaned.

Test and try each of the formulations to find out the most effective one.

There is the possibility of some dyes on buttons causing a transfer onto items in the load due to its solubility to drycleaning solvents.

I recently received a garment in my lab covered with dye transfer occurring from the buttons. We were able to remove the buttons, work the areas with paint remover and then reclean. An important point to remember is that when dye transfers occur in drycleaning, use dryside methods and avoid using water or steam which sets the stains.

The greater the contrast of color on the leather and fabric the greater the risk there is of dye transfer.

For example, a black leather trimming will bleed more readily than a tan or brown leather trimming.

Correction. If possible cover up the trimming by basting a cloth over it and then recleaning. If this does not work have it cleaned in hydrocarbon solvent if cleaning in perchlorethylene caused the problem.

This type of problem is less likely to occur in professional leather cleaning processes since enough oil and dye setting agents are used. The problem may also be correctable in professional leather cleaners.

Some garments are trimmed with fabric that may bleed especially on a short cleaning cycle.

Correction. The problem usually occurs when the garment is cleaned with shorter drycleaning runs and limited mechanical action. A full drycleaning run with the high solvent level reduces the incidence of dye transfer. It may be necessary to work some of the affected stained areas with paint remover and then recleaning.

Some trimming may bleed when contacting moisture and transfer to the surrounding areas. This presents a problem since the trimming cannot be removed.

Correction. Try to flush the affected area into a towel and dry quickly with the air gun to prevent further bleeding.

If this process does not work, you may have to use titanium sulphate on a Q-tip and carefully spot the affected area after testing for dye safety. It also may be advisable to use Vaseline around the trimming to prevent the stripping agent from etching into the dye sensitive fabric.