Understanding dryside lubrication

Lubrication is the action of removing a stain by emulsifying, breaking up and lifting the stain. Dryside lubrication is working on stains that do not have a water base and do not mix with water. Even paint, which originally may be water based becomes a dryside stain once dry. Typical dryside stains are oil, grease, lipstick, nail polish, make-up and most inks. Lubrication also produces protection for the fabric when applying mechanical action. Mechanical action is the use of brushing, tamping and spatula which aids in removing stains on a lubricated fabric. New dryside lubricants which are now on the market make dryside lubrication easier and more effective.

DRYSIDE STAINS
Heat and age oxidize dryside stains. If a salad oil is dropped on a fabric simple lubrication will remove the stain. If the stain oxidizes and sets, it is difficult to remove the stain and may require extensive mechanical action. Many oil stains appear to be tannin in nature. Oil stains often form a cross or T in the fabric because it absorbs slowly and follows the weave of the fabric. The difference in tannin stains can be observed because it usually has a dark outer ring. If you hold the fabric up to the light oil stains may appear to be translucent while tannin stains are not. Paint, nail polish and lipstick are not absorbed in the fabric and remain on the surface. If you work a stain wetside and it appears brighter because the fabric turned darker it usually means it is dryside.

DRYSIDE LUBRICANTS
ORIGINAL OILY TYPE PAINT REMOVERS (OTPR)
The oily type paint remover formulations have changed. The original formulations used alcohol and solvents. There were many problems posed with this formulation. If the oily type paint removers (OTPR) contacted water it released alcohol and caused color damage to the fabric. That is why it was important to have a black brush only used for dryside spotting. When spotters were faced with an unidentified stain, they would work it dryside, and then dryclean the garment and work it wetside. Other problems associated with the original OTPR was that it contributed to odor in the solvent and affected the distillation process. Different companies make different products and usually the darker and one with a strong odor was stronger. Environmental concern restricted the use of this formulation in many states such as California. This product also cannot be used in some of the alternative solvents.

NEW FORMULATIONS FOR OILY TYPE PAINT REMOVER (OTPR)
The new formulations for oily type paint remover are effective and easier to use. The formulations may be slightly alkaline in nature but I have found it to be safe to fabrics and color if used correctly. Some products can be left on the fabric for a period of time, while others must be drycleaned or flushed immediately. They can be flushed wet or dry and pose no distillation problems in the solvent. It should be noted however that vivid colors on delicate silk fabrics should be tested.

CITRUS BASED LUBRICANTS
These are products that contain a solvent derived from orange peel. This solvent is referred to as d-limonene. It is also combined with a nonionic lubricant which also works on dryside stains. This formulation is also effective on many inks that require wet and dry stain removal. It is a very effective lubricant when added to the wetcleaning operation.

NEW OILY TYPE INK REMOVERS
These ink removers are very effective on many inks. These products are usually slightly acid in nature. They are also very effective on plastic based stains such as nail polish, glue and some paint. In many cases I have found it to be just as effective as amyl acetate on many plastic based stains.

LANOLIN TYPE INK REMOVER
These ink removers are very effective on some inks that other products are not. They are slightly alkaline in nature so some colors on silks must be tested.

COMBINING DRYSIDE LUBRICANTS
Some dryside lubricants can be combined with wetside products to make the stain removal more effective.

• Oily type paint remover that is alkaline in nature can be combined with a protein formula.
• Lanolin type ink remover can also be combined with a protein formula.
• Oily type ink remover can be combined with a tannin formula.
• Citrus based products can be combined with a dryside or wetside lubricant.