Wetside lubrication is the second method we use for wetside stain removal after flushing with the steam gun or water gun. If this method is used properly and we use the proper lubricant we can remove a far greater percentage of stains. First let’s define the term lubrication. Wetside lubrication is using a wetside oily substance that has the ability to penetrate, emulsify, break up and lift the stain from the fabric. Lubrication also reduces friction so that proper mechanical action can be applied. Without proper lubrication the use of mechanical action using rubbing, tamping or brushing can cause damage to a fabric.
Types of lubricants
- Anionic: This lubricant consists of a surfactant that aids in stain removal with negative charged ions.
- Nonionic:This lubricant consists of a surfactant that is not chemically charged. This lubricant works on oily based stains effectively. Most manufacturers combine anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, but we still refer to them as anionic detergents because the major part of it is anionic. In household products a detergent for washing clothes would be termed anionic and a dishwashing detergent used to remove grease would be nonionic.
- Glycerin: is a lubricant that has no cleaning action. It penetrates stains, loosens and lifts stains, but does not loosen soil. Glycerin is effective when spotting silks and wools because it does not leave a clean or lighter area.
Anionic Lubricants
- Mix with 4 parts water and 1 part lubricant
- General spotting agent
- Usually neutral or slightly alkaline
- Can be mixed with acid or alkali
- Effective for all types of wetside stains
Nonionic Lubricants
- Can be used as a general spotting agent but is especially effective on stains that have a grease or oily base. This includes many inks, dyes, lipstick, make-up, oil and mustard.
- Usually neutral
- Can be mixed with acid or alkali
- Generally, more aggressive on fabric dyes than anionic
Glycerin
- Purchase CP or USP which means chemically pure.
- Very expensive
- Very effective for wool and silk spotting because it does not leave a lighter or cleaner area on the fabric
Tannin Stain Removal Method
- Choose the lubricant which is appropriate for stain and fabric
- Flush
- Lubricant (anionic, nonionic or glycerin
- Mechanical action
- Flush
- Lubricant plus acetic acid
- Mechanical actionFlush
- Oxalic Acid – Test fabric
- Heat
- Flush
- General formula – Test fabric
- Mechanical Action – General formula has a lubricant built into its formulation
- Flush
- Rust remover – Test fabric
- Heat
- Flush
- Peroxide and ammonia –Test fabric
- Flush
- Acid to neutralize
- Flush
Protein Procedure
- Flush
- Lubricant-anionic, nonionic or glycerin
- Mechanical action
- Flush
- Lubricant plus ammonia
- Mechanical action
- Flush
- Digester
- Peroxide and ammonia – Test fabric
- Heat
- Flush
- Acid
- Flush
