ODOR, THE INVISIBLE ENEMY: CAUSES AND CURES

A clean garment is one that is free of stains and soil and has no odor. Bad odors can occur for several reasons, including staining, smoke, the breakdown of finishing agents used in manufacturing, mildew and solvent conditions.

Sometimes, an odor is not noticeable when the garment is dry. It may become more noticeable on a humid or damp day or when the garment is worn. The following is a list of odor problems I have encountered during on-site consultations, along with some of the effective methods we use to correct them.

PERSPIRATION

Perspiration can be a very difficult odor problem due to several factors. Perspiration contains many body acids. It also tends to become set in the fabric because of its salt content and the alcohol contained in many deodorants.

The following procedure should be used first to remove the staining and then the perspiration odor:

A. Flush
B. Apply a neutral lubricant
C. Apply a protein formula
D. Flush
E. Apply a cationic detergent plus acetic acid
F. Apply mechanical action
G. Flush
H. Apply hydrogen peroxide

SPRAY

One very effective odor remover is unscented Lysol. Hold the spray can about eight inches from the fabric and apply a quick spray. Do not allow the spray to contact the fabric directly; apply only a fine mist.

SMOKE ODOR

Ozone machines and chambers are very effective for removing smoke odor. These machines generate ozone, which oxidizes and neutralizes many odor-causing substances.

I believe the best procedure is to treat the garment with ozone first and then dryclean it. This helps prevent the heat of drycleaning from setting the odor and also prevents the solvent from becoming contaminated.

Wetcleaning with oxygen bleaches can also be effective in removing smoke odor. These include hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate. Some drycleaners have found it effective, when possible, to hang the garments outside the store and expose them to fresh air.

FABRIC FINISH

Manufacturers may apply finishes that give fabrics such characteristics as wrinkle resistance, hand, luster, body and feel. Some finishes contain resins or formaldehyde that can break down and cause a fishy or otherwise unpleasant odor.

Drycleaning does not usually correct problems caused by fabric finishes. The only solution may be wetcleaning. Wetclean the garment with detergent and oxygen bleach if the color and fabric permit. The garment may also be wetcleaned with detergent and acetic acid. Rinse thoroughly.

Acetic acid has proven to be a very effective agent for smoke odor removal.

MILDEW

Mildew and mildew odor can be difficult to correct. The heat of drycleaning may destroy mildew spores but may not remove the staining or odor. Perchloroethylene is the best drycleaning solvent for destroying mildew spores.

Garments may have to be treated with oxygen bleach for further stain and odor removal. Suitable oxygen bleaches include sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate.

If the fabric can withstand sodium hypochlorite, it is the best bleach for mildew removal. When using sodium hypochlorite, remember that it must first be diluted to 1 percent. Even household bleach contains approximately 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Use one or two ounces of the diluted solution per gallon of water.

After treatment, the garment must be thoroughly rinsed. Any remaining chlorine must be completely removed or properly neutralized before an acetic acid bath is used. Never mix sodium hypochlorite with acetic acid, as this can release toxic chlorine gas.

After the chlorine has been completely removed, use one or two ounces of acetic acid per gallon of water. Rinse thoroughly.

DRYCLEANING ODOR

When fatty acids and prespotting chemicals build up in the solvent, odor problems can occur. Many odor problems are caused by the overuse of solvent-based paint removers and certain solvent-based two-in-one prespotters.

Contamination of the solvent tank by sludge and bacteria can also be a factor. If the still is not operating properly, a boil-over can contaminate the solvent and cause odor.

REMOVING DRYCLEANING ODOR

1. Use sweetener powder.
2. Maintain proper distillation.
3. Clean out the solvent tank.
4. Eliminate or reduce the use of solvent-based prespotters.