I have received many requests from cleaner/spotters and inexperienced owners regarding the use of spotting chemicals, bleaches, digesters and dye strippers; what they are and how to purchase them from regular suppliers and other sources (when not stocked normally). These items are listed in the textbook that accompanies my spotting video and are summarized herein.
First lets go to the spotting board where most of the popular chemicals should be stored for use in most normal spotting situations and correlate them to their trade names.
OILY TYPE PAINT REMOVER (POG)
The there two basic types of oily type paint removers (POG): Dry side flushed with dry solvent and wet side flushed with water or “wet” steam. Trade names for spotting dry cleaning are: Pyratex (R.R. Street), RX (Caled), American POG (Adco), P.O.G. (Laidlaw) P.O.G. & Flick (Laidlaw), Targo-Dry (Wilson), Super POG (Kleerwite).
AMYL ACETATE (CP)
This is generic only. Most all distributors sell this as “chemically pure” (CP). Also sold by industrial chemical companies. Make absolutely certain that it is chemically pure (CP). This solvent can be flushed either dry or wet, although it works better as a dry side solvent. It is very good as a nail polish remover and most adhesives. It is very toxic, so keep the vacuum on and good ventilation in the area of the spotting board.
VOLATILE DRY SOLVENT
The generic is trichloroethylene (CP). It is used both as a dry flushing solvent for oily type paint remover and amyl acetate, and it is a quick remover of loose “pick up” dirt and light oils. It is the base for wet-dry spotting agent. Trade names: Picrin (R.R. Street), Fast PR (Caled), Puro (Adco), V.D.S. (Laidlaw), VOL (Stamford).
WET-DRY
This is prepared by mixing two parts spray spotter detergent or neutral synthetic detergent with one part volatile dry solvent. Can be flushed either on the dry side or on the wet side. After flushing, can be followed either by a dry side chemical or wet side chemical depending upon which “side” was used. It is a neutral zone pH. Good pre-spotter for ground-in soil, ring-around- the-collar, latex paint and mystery stains (wet , dry or both). Trade names: 2-l (R.R. Street), MR. Signal+Fast PR (Caled), Neutra+Puro (Adco), Boot+V.D.S. (Laidlaw), SPOL-pre-mixed (Stamford), SpotsGo+Volatile Dry Solvent (Wilson), Kleerspray+V.D.S. (Kleerwite).
NEUTRAL SYNTHETIC DETERGENT (LUBRICANT)
Used on the wet side. Neutral pH permits use on all wet side spots. Trade names: Mulsolite (R.R. Street), Zuds (Caled), Neutra (Adco), Tergit (Laidlaw), Acquadol (Stamford), Kleerspray (Kleerwite).
DIGESTER (ENZYMES)
Available in either powder or liquid . Neutral pH. Better when used with a little neutral synthetic detergent. Trade names: Devour-liquid (R.R. Street), RSR-powder (Laidlaw).
PROTEIN FORMULA
An alkaline pH liquid mixed with a neutral synthetic detergent, etc. It will set a tannin stain. Trade names: Streepro (R.R. Street), Pro-Te-Cal and Pro-Te-Cal Plus (Caled), BPR and Protein Spotter (Adco), Proteen (Laidlaw), QuickGo (Wilson), PROform (Kleerwite).
AMMONIA (26 DEGREES F, BAUME)
Generic name: ammonium hydroxide. Mixed two parts ammonia (26 degrees F, baume) with one part water and a little neutral synthetic detergent. Sold by supply distributors. It will set a tannin stain. Also sold by industrial chemical supply companies and most super markets. Make sure that it is clear, not cloudy with detergent and is close to 26 degrees F when purchased in the super market.
ACETIC ACID (28%)
This is generic. Do not purchase glacial acetic. If only 56% acetic acid is available, immediately make two 28% strength gallons out of the one 56% strength gallon to avoid damage to some fibers in spotting. Mixed two parts acetic acid (28/%) with one part water and a little neutral synthetic detergent. Sold by most all supply distributors. Also sold by industrial chemical supply companies.
TANNIN FORMULA
An acidic pH liquid mixed with a neutral synthetic detergent, etc. Trade names: Streetan (R.R. Street), Tan-E-Cal and Tan-E-Cal Plus (Caled), Super Tan (Adco), Ban-Tan (Laidlaw), Trik (Stamford), BonGo (Wilson), TANaway (Kleerwite).
GENERAL FORMULA
This is a stronger acidic pH liquid that contains several acids and glycerin to retard evaporation. Can also be used as a rust remover for glass and metallic fibers since it contains oxalic acid. Should be applied to dry surface and flushed with water. Trade names: General Formula 209 (R.R. Street) and General Formula (Adco).
RUST REMOVER
Some contain hydrofluoric acid and some contain oxalic acid which is only for glass and metallic fibers since it dissolve glass and is not as effective as hydrofluoric acid on all other fibers). Generic hydrofluoric acid and oxalic acid are also sold by industrial chemical supply companies. After flushing with wet steam or water, it should be neutralized with an alkali. Trade names:
Erusticator (Pennwalt), Rust Remover (Adco), Rust Aid (Laidlaw), RustGo (Wilson), Rust Buster (Kleerwite).
The following spotting chemicals are considered as special agents, and they are not used as frequently as the more popular agents mentioned above:
ACETONE
Solvent is generic and has a slight alcohol odor. An excellent super glue remover, but it must NOT be used on fabric that contains acetate since it will dissolve it. It is generic and can be purchased from most supply distributors or from industrial chemical supply companies. Other trade products for glue removal are available from supply distributors.
METHYL ALCOHOL
This is generic and is found in General Formula and most dry side Oily Type Paint Removers. It is very good for removal of shellac if alternated with Oily Type Paint Remover. It will set a protein stain. It can be flushed either by water, wet steam or volatile dry solvent. It can be purchased from some well-stocked supply distributors or from industrial chemical supply companies.
K.O.H.
This is generic and must be prepared by a local pharmacist or industrial chemist since it is not permitted for shipment by U.S. Post Office. Prepared by dissolving nine grams potassium hydroxide pellets into one quart of normal butyl alcohol (usually takes over night) in a dark colored bottle. It is very good for oxidized oil removal. It must be applied and then tamped every ten minutes for a few times, and it must be kept dry since moisture will make its alkalinity very aggressive. Must be flushed with petroleum or hydrocarbon solvent NOT perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene solvents and then re-cleaned. After cleaning, the stained area should be neutralized with 28% acetic acid or tannin formula. Trade name substitute: OxyGONE (Kleerwite).
GLYCERIN
A thick substance, neutral pH, water-soluble. When applied to a wet surface it will retard vaporization and maintain wetness for a long period of time. Very popular with digesting a spot on the spotting board. It is also a lubricant and will penetrate and soften a crusty stain. It may be purchased at any pharmacy or industrial chemical supply companies.
The following bleaches are oxidizing (permanent) and impart oxygen to the stain:
SODIUM PERBORATE & SODIUM PERCARBONATE
White powder, generic, very alkaline, not used on animal fibers (silk and wool), must be neutralized with an acid after flushing. Can be purchased from supply distributors or industrial chemical supply companies. Trade name: ENLIGHTEN (Kleerwite).
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, 3%
A generic liquid that can be purchased from a pharmacy or super market. It is acidic and made more aggressive by adding ammonia. Safe on all fibers. Popular on white wool and silk.
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (CHLORINE)
This is either in liquid or powder form, very alkaline and not to be used on animal fibers and synthetic fibers. Acetic acid makes it more aggressive. After flushing with water or wet steam, apply an anti-chlor to the area to decompose it. Use a Turkish towel under the garment. For spotting, purchase at a super market and mix with three parts water.
The following are reducing bleaches and remove oxygen from the stain. Can be reversed by imparting oxygen back into the stain.
SODIUM BISULFITE
In powder form, acidic pH and is generic. It is safe on all fibers. Also used in liquid form by mixing one ounce to a spotting bottle of water. Acetic acid and heat makes it more aggressive. Used as an anti-chlor to decompose chlorine bleach and remove iodine, red wine and photo developer stains when used alternately with acetic acid. It is safe on all fibers. Can be purchased from well-stocked chemical supply distributors who sell laundry supplies or from industrial chemical supply companies.
SODIUM HYDROSULFITE
In powder form, acidic pH and is generic but sold by supply distributors as packaged by some dry cleaning chemical manufacturers. It is a stripper and is used to remove migrated dye from white fabrics. It will make white fabrics whiter. It is safe on all fibers. It can be used in liquid form by mixing one ounce to a spotting bottle of water. Heat and acid makes it more aggressive. Also good as an anti-chlor. Streepene (R.R. Street), DroGo-B (Wilson).
TITANIUM SULFATE
In liquid form, acidic pH, generic, but sold by supply distributors as packaged by some dry cleaning chemical manufacturers. It is a stripper and is used to remove migrated dry from colored fabrics. Heat and acid makes it more aggressive. For spotting, mix ¾ ounce to a spotting bottle of cool water. Can be reversed sometimes by adding ammonia to the area. Trade name: Color Stripper (R.R. Street), CalStrip (Caled), YellowGo (Wilson), Titan (Kleerwite).
