Understanding Chemical Formulations for Safer and More Effective Spotting

Chemical manufacturers do not necessarily formulate the same chemical makeup intended for stain removal. Many drycleaners may have preference but should still understand the safety and effectiveness of the chemical they are using. It is also important to explore other formulations and manufacturers to help your effectiveness.

NEUTRAL LUBRICANT

Neutral lubricants are the most important spotting agents a drycleaner can use. It can prevent further use of stronger agents when it is used properly. Neutral lubricants are used to break up, emulsify and lift stains from the fabric. It also protects the fabric from damage when using mechanical action. They are usually anionic in nature and chemically neutral. Drycleaners have found that some products are more effective than others. Some manufacturers have a neutral lubricant that is also a levelling agent. This means the lubricant can be used as a post- or pre-spotter. The lubricant used can remove rings and when allowed to dry will rinse out in the drycleaning solvent. There are also nonionic lubricants but their main effectiveness is for dryside stains. 

PROTEIN FORMULA

The protein formula you use should be safe and effective for removing protein stains such as blood and perspiration. There are some products on the market that may contain stronger alkalis such as ammonia. This would make the product more hazardous to use on silks, wools and other fabrics with bright vivid colors. There are some manufacturers making protein formulas with enzymes that make it even safer to use.

DIGESTERS

Digesters are enzymes that break down protein and albuminous stains to sugar so it can be flushed out. Enzymes may chemically change a stain but does it differently than alkali. There are several enzyme-based products on the market and they have major differences.

1. Low temperature powders enzymes: they are the safest enzymes to use. They are used without mechanical action. They only work with critical conditions present.

• proper heat: 100~120℉
• neutral, no acid nor alkali
• must be wet
• time:15 minutes to a half hour

This product is as safe as water.

2. Powdered enzymes (alkali): These products are alkaline in nature and are not as safe to use on silk and wool. They can be used on higher water temperature and with other chemicals present.

3. Liquid enzymes: They are neutral in nature and can be used on the spotting board or as a pre-spotter for wetcleaning.

4. Enzymes and bleach: These products are designed to remove mold and mildew with enzymes and bleach. They cannot be used on wool, silk and colored fabrics.

RUST REMOVER

The strongest rust remover consists of hydrofluoric acid. It is the most effective rust remover on the market but is dangerous to some fabrics and trimmings. A safer rust remover is fluoride free and contains oxalic acid. It is also much safer to handle.

INK REMOVERS

There are many different types of ink removers on the market. Ink is a difficult stain and may require different products.

• Oily type ink remover: these ink removers are acid in nature and can be flushed with water.
• Lanolin with alaki: This product is relatively safe but may affect some colors on wool and silk.
• Oily type paint remover containing solvent that will dissolve acetate. These are strong products that will remove ink but will dissolve acetate and affect silk fabrics.

TOUCH UP SPOTTING

1. Volatile solvent: These agents can be used to remove surface stains and light oil but in many areas this agent is banned by EPA.
2. Nonionic detergent with fast agents: These are very good and safe products to use on dry and wetside touch up spotting.
3. Powdered solvent: these are effective agents to use for touch up spotting on dryside stains and rings.

OILY TYPE PAINT REMOVERS

There are two types of paint removers on the market now. One type contains solvents and alcohol while the other one is environmentally friendly. Most of the paint removers sold do not contain solvents due to EPA restrictions in some areas.

1. Solvent based paint remover: These differ in strength from company to company. The stronger the odor usually indicates a stronger agent. They remove oil based stains effectively but can be dangerous to silk, acetate and other fabrics when they contact water. They also can cause odor problems in the drycleaning solvent and affect distillation. They must be used without water and spotted with a black brush that does not contact water.
2. Solvent free paint remover: These paint removers can be flushed wet or dry. They do not affect the drycleaning system. These products vary on efficiently from company to company.

TANIN FORMULAS

These agents contain lubricants and acid. Some companies make stronger ones than others that can affect some dyes. Some may contain sodium bisulfate which can affect color on some fabrics. Always choose the safest brand. If stronger acids are needed, acetic acid can be used when the occasion arises.