Drycleaners are offered a wide range of spotting formulations from manufacturers along with spotting procedures taught to them by various spotting instructors.
 | ||
Manufacturers’ protein formulas
A protein formula is used to take out body stains such as blood, milk, egg, perspiration and urine. Manufacturers usually use a mild alkali that is not ammonia-based. It is made up by using a mild alkali mixed with a neutral lubricant.
The formulations are relatively safe but can affect bright and vivid colors, especially on wool and silk. When heated with the steam gun, the chemical action is increased and the problem of color loss is also accentuated.
Ammonia-based protein formulas
The students in spotting classes are taught to remove protein stains with ammonia and neutral lubricant. Ammonia is far more aggressive on stains and dyes than manufacturer’s products. Ammonia is capable of causing color loss most readily on the dyes of wool and silk.
When you order ammonia, the strength of the ammonia should be diluted to half its normal strength.
Summary. If an alkali causes a color change on a fabric, it should be immediately flushed with water and neutralized with an acid.
Manufacturers’ tannin formulas
These formulations are made up with an acid mixed with a neutral lubricant. The formulation is used to take out vegetable-based stains such as coffee, tea, fruit, vegetable, liquor, soft drinks and many medicines. The formulations are relatively safe on all fibers and most dyes.
Acetic acid tannin-based formulas
Drycleaners are taught to remove tannin stains with acetic acid and a neutral lubricant. These products can be more effective on many stains than manufacturer’s products, such as wine.
Acetic acid is relatively safe if used at the proper concentration. When purchasing, it is important to know that it comes in 28, 56, or 99%. The only safe concentration is 28% which will not dissolve acetate fabrics.
When teaching the use of acetic acid, I tell students to dilute it to 14% by adding half water. 28% acetic when heated can still affect the dye on acetate fabrics as well as having a odor problem,which is sometimes difficult to rinse out.
Summary. When acids cause a color change, they should be flushed and neutralized with a mild acid such as ammonia or a prepared protein formula.
Liquid enzymes
Manufacturers offer a large range of liquid enzymes which are used as a safe method for taking out protein or albuminous stains.
The makeup of these agents may vary according to the manufacturer. Some agents are dark colored, which are harder to rinse from heavy and thick wool and cotton fabrics.
Some manufacturers offer liquid enzymes with a built-in leveling agent.
Liquid enzymes have a protected coating which makes them more resistant to chemicals and heat than powdered enzymes. These agents are safer than alkaline-based protein formulas but still may affect some color sensitive dyes.
Powdered enzymes
These agents are the safest way to take out protein stains from wool, silk and bright vivid colors. The enzymes have to be used properly with the correct time, heat and absence of all chemicals. These enzymes have no protective shell and can be destroyed easily if used improperly.
Rust remover (hydrofluoric acid)
This is the strongest acid used and most effective on rust and metallic stains. It is also the most effective acid used in conjunction with titanium stripper. It reduces the residue left by stripper making it colorless.
It cannot be used on glass and metallic fabrics. It can also cause serious chemical burns if left on any area of your skin.
This acid must be flushed thoroughly and neutralized with a protein formula or ammonia to make sure it is removed from the fabric.
Rust remover (oxalic acid)
This rust removing compound is sold as a safe rust removing compound. It does work on rust and metallic stains but very slowly. It is also effective on many tannin stains that do not respond to tannin formulas and acetic acid. It does not work well in conjunction with titanium sulphate.
It must be tested before using but is generally safe to most dyes.
General formula
This is a spotting chemical made up by manufacturers for removing tannin and ink stains. It is made up with the formulation consisting of a wetside lubricant, acid and alcohol.
The alcohol content of this formulation makes it dangerous to use on colored fabrics consisting of silk and acetate. It also has the drawback of possibly setting protein and albuminous stains. It should not be used on unidentified stains that may have a protein source.
More to come in February.
No comments:
Post a Comment