Stain Removal 101, Part 2

Tannin is a substance found in plants. For this reason, any stain that originated from a plant is considered a tannin stain. Tannin stains are among the most common types of stains seen. They are water-soluble and should be removed by using wet-side stain removal agents.

Remember: it is important to test for colorfastness before applying any stain removal agent.

TANNIN STAINS

This procedure can be used to remove stains such as:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Beer
  • Coffee
  • Fruit juices
  • Jelly
  • Soda
  • Soy sauce
  • Tea
  • Tomato juice
  • Wine

Identification

Tannin stains vary from a light tan to dark brown in color. They can be visible or invisible when fresh, but become darker with age or upon contact with heat, as in drying or pressing. The fabric absorbs the stain. It is not stiff.

Removal of Tannin Stains

For proper removal, have the following on hand:

Wet-side Agents

  • Neutral Synthetic Detergent
  • Tannin Formula or Acetic Acid 28%
  • General Formula
  • Rust Remover
  • Bleach (Oxidizing)

Procedure

  1. Place a towel under the stained area.
  2. Place the stained area over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with steam or water. This procedure alone may remove a large portion of the stain.
  3. If the stain remains, apply neutral synthetic detergent to the stained area.
  4. Remove the towel. Move the stained area to the solid surface of the board and lightly tamp with a stain removal brush to break up the stain.
  5. Place a towel under the stained area and move it over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with steam or water.
  6. If the stain remains, apply a tannin formula or neutral synthetic detergent and 28% acetic acid to the stained area.
  7. Remove the towel. Move the stained area to the solid surface of the board and lightly tamp with a stain removal brush to break up the stain.
  8. Place a towel under the stained area and move it over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with steam or water.
  9. If the stain remains, apply general formula.
  10. Remove the towel. Move the stained area to the solid surface of the board and lightly tamp with a stain removal brush to break up the stain.
  11. Place a towel under the stained area and move it over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with steam or water.
  12. If the stain remains, apply neutral synthetic detergent and several drops of rust remover. (Remember to wear gloves when using rust remover, and to protect the stain removal board keep a towel between the board and the fabric. Allow the rust remover to remain 5–8 seconds. Do not tamp.)
  13. With the towel still under the stained area, thoroughly flush with steam over the vacuum.
  14. If the stain remains, apply an oxidizing bleach such as sodium perborate, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine with a towel under the stained area. Before using any bleach, test the fabric for colorfastness. See Industry Focus No. 2, November 2000, for more details on using bleaches.
  15. Flush thoroughly over the vacuum, remove the towel, and dry the wet area completely.
Apply rust remover over the nose of the board and wear protective gloves
Use an oxidizing bleach to remove the last traces of a tannin stain
Use an oxidizing bleach to remove the last traces of a tannin stain

GRASS STAINS

Since grass is a plant, it also contains tannin. But grass also contains a product called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the substance responsible for giving grasses, plants, and leaves their green color.

Chlorophyll must be removed from grass stains first.

Identification

While easy to identify when fresh, grass stains can change from green to a yellowish color with age. Grass stains usually appear as smears and tend to remain on the surface of the fabric.

Removal of Grass Stains

For proper removal of grass stains, have the following on hand:

Dry-side Agents

  • Volatile Dry Solvent
  • Amyl Acetate

Wet-side Agents

  • Neutral Synthetic Detergent
  • Tannin Formula or Acetic Acid 28%
  • General Formula
  • Rust Remover
  • Bleach (Oxidizing)

Procedure

The chlorophyll portion of the stain must be removed first by a dry-side procedure using volatile dry solvent and amyl acetate.

  1. Work on the side of the fabric where the stain is most prominent. First, gently brush the stained area with a clean dry brush if it contains dry mud or soil.
  2. Place a towel under the grass stain. Move the stained area over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with volatile dry solvent.
  3. Apply amyl acetate to the stained area.
  4. Remove the towel. Move the stained area to the solid surface of the board and tamp with a stain removal brush.
  5. Place a towel under the stained area and move it over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with volatile dry solvent.
  6. Since the chlorophyll has now been removed, any remaining stain can now be treated by following steps 1–15 of the tannin procedure.

MUSTARD STAINS

Mustard contains ground mustard seeds mixed with other spices. One frequently used spice is turmeric. Turmeric is responsible for mustard’s deep yellow color. The yellow coloring is what makes mustard stains so difficult to remove. Since mustard is derived from plant sources, it is can be classified as a tannin stain. However, mustard stains may also contain oil from the ground mustard seeds.

Identification

Mustard stains are yellow when fresh. They tend to turn a light brown with age. Mustard may be absorbed or build up on the surface of the fabric.

Removal of Mustard Stains

For proper removal, have the following on hand:

Dry-side Agents

  • Volatile Dry Solvent

Wet-side Agents

  • Neutral Synthetic Detergent
  • Tannin Formula or Acetic Acid 28%
  • General Formula
  • Rust Remover
  • Bleach (Oxidizing)

Procedure

  1. Work on the side of the fabric where the stain is most prominent. First, brush the stained area with a clean, dry brush if it contains dried mustard. Take caution not to damage the weave.
  2. Place a towel under the mustard stain. Move the stained area over the vacuum at the nose of the board, step on the vacuum pedal, and flush the area thoroughly with volatile dry solvent.
  3. Remove the towel. Move the stained area to the solid surface of the board and tamp with a brush.
  4. Place a towel under the area and flush thoroughly with volatile dry solvent. Remove the towel and dry the area completely.
  5. Once any oil has been removed, the remaining stain can be treated by following steps 1–15 of the tannin procedure.

This article is from DLI TOI-701

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