Removing Stains from Fabrics DATE
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-^^ //sa /? & Removing Stains From Fabrics DATE. OF OUT IS information: PUBLICATIONcurrent most THISA Pacific Northwest Extension Publication OregonFor • Washington • Idaho PNW 166http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog • February 1976 Contents Immediate steps 1 Stain removal supplies 1 Treating stains 3 Testing stain removers 3 Work surface 3 Sponging DATE.3 Flushing 4 Tamping OF 5 Using a spoon 6 Removing stains from suede and leather 5 Removing stains from vinyl 5 Stain removal guide OUT 5 Stain index IS 12 Revised from USDAinformation: Home and Garden Bulletin 62, prepared by Textiles and Clothing Laboratory, Agricul- tural Research Service. Acknowledgment is made to the International Fabricare Institute for assistance in revising this bulletin. currentTrade names are used in this publication solely for the purpose of providing specific information. Mention of PUBLICATIONtrade names does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by Extension Services or an endorsement over other products not mentioned. most THIS For http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog Removing Stains From Fabrics This publication contains instruc- Use clean, dry, absorbent material concentration). Do not use alcohol tions for removing most stains at above and below the stain each with added color or fragrances. home. It tells what to do immedi- time water is added. Alcohol fades some dyes, so test ately when a stain occurs and what Oily stains should be sponged as the fabric for color fastness before follow-up steps to take. soon as possible with drycleaning using alcohol on a stain. It is important to treat stains solvent (see p. 3). If the stain is on For use on acetate, dilute alcohol promptly with the correct methods. a garment being worn, be careful with two parts water to one part With the wrong treatment, some not to let drycleaning solvent come alcohol. DATE. stains become more difficult or even in contact with the skin, because CAUTION: poisonous and flam- impossible to remove. Other stains drycleaning solvent can cause skin mable. Observe all precautions on are relatively easy to remove if they irritation. Use only a very small the label. are treated promptly but become amount, and place absorbent mate- permanently set if allowed to age. rial between the garment and the OF Ammonia In this publication, most stains skin. are classified into nine groups. Sep- Do not allow areas of clothing Use household ammonia. Do not arate treatment procedures are sponged with drycleaning solvent to use ammonia with added color or given for the stains that do not fall touch the skin until all the solvent fragrances. into the nine groups. There is also a has evaporated. Drycleaning sol- Ammonia changes the color of method for treating unknown stains. vent is poisonous and may beOUT flam- some dyes. To restore the color, To find the proper treatment for a mable; follow precautions given on rinse the color-changed area thor- stain, turn to the Stain Index at the page 2 as well as any precautions oughly with water and apply a few back of the publication. Before on the label. IS drops of white vinegar. Rinse well treating a stain, read the general in- If the staining material has the with water again. structions on pages 3 to 5. consistency of a paste, remove the excess with a dull knife or spoon, taking care not to force the stain IMMEDIATE STEPS further into the fabric. CARE LABELING When a staining accident occurs, it is always safe to absorb excess information:Before treating a stain on a gar- liquid with a clean cloth, a white STAIN REMOVAL SUPPLIES ment, read the information on the paper towel or tissue, a sponge, or If you keep on hand the supplies care label. Garments produced since absorbent cotton. Barely touch the listed in this section, you will be 1972 are required by law to have a drop of liquid with the tip of the ab- prepared to remove almost any permanent label giving instructions sorbent material to avoid forcing the stain. for proper care. staining material further into the Most of these items are ordinary Labels for washable items carry fabric. Do not apply any pressure to household supplies. Substitutes are information on washing method, the stained area. suggested for a few materials that water temperature, drying method, If the stain is not greasy, you currentmay be difficult to obtain. drying temperature, and whether may be able to removePUBLICATION some of the Follow carefully all precautions bleach can be used. Items that are liquid that has soaked into the fab- for the storage and use of hazard- washable are assumed to be dry- ric by adding a little water to it. ous chemicals. cleanable unless the label says "Do Water may cause spotting on satin, not dryclean." Labels may indicate crepe, taffeta, silk or rayon moire, that drycleaning only is recom- Absorbent materials gabardine, and velvet. mostIt is safe to mended. Items that cannot be use water if the care label says the You will need an ample supply of washed or drycleaned may be la- garmentTHIS is washable. If the article clean absorbent materials, such as beled "Wipe with damp cloth only" is not washable or there is no care absorbent cotton, white paper tow- unless they cannot be maintained label, test the fabric first in an in- els, white facial tissues, and soft by any method. conspicuousFor place. white cloths. Sponges are also use- Stores that sell piece or yard Place clean, dry, absorbent mate- ful, but test them with stain remov- goods are required by law to in- rial under the stained area. Sprinkle ers to make sure they will not be clude an appropriate care label with a few drops of coolhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog water on the damaged. each piece of fabric sold (except stain and blot immediately with remnants). If you sew, be sure you more clean, dry, absorbent mate- Alcohol get these labels, then attach them rial. Repeat until no more stain ap- Use rubbing alcohol or denatured permanently. pears on the absorbent material. alcohol (70-percent or 90-percent For use on wool and silk, dilute care label for cautions regarding CAUTION: Poisonous. Avoid pro- ammonia with an equal amount of the use of bleach and read the label longed contact with skin. Observe water. on the bleach container. Test the all precautions on the label. fabric in an inconspicuous place be- ■ CAUTION: Poisonous. Avoid in- fore you use bleach on the stain. haling ammonia fumes. Ammonia Detergent Do not use chlorine bleach on fab- Use liquid hand dishwashing de- will cause burns or irritation if it ric with a fire-retardant finish unless comes in contact with the skin or tergent. Detergents for automatic the care label states that chlorine dishwashers, heavy-duty household eyes. Observe all precautions on the bleach is safe. label. detergents, and laundry detergents The resin in some special finishes may contain alkalies that could set absorbs and retains chlorine, which some stains. Amyl acetate weakens and yellows the fabric. Amyl acetate (banana oil) is sold Some fabrics do not show evidence in drug stores. Ask for "chemically of damage until they are ironed; Drycleaning solvent pure amyl acetate." then they may be severely weak- Drycleaning solvent is sold in If you cannot obtain amyl ace- ened or discolored. See "Chlorine" drug stores, grocery stores, variety tate, you may substitute fingernail in the Stain Index (p. 12) for a stores, hardware stores, and auto- polish remover. Do not use oily- method of removing chlorine from mobile service stations. It may con- type nail polish remover. such fabrics. Chlorine stains on tain DATE.any or all of the following in- Amyl acetate is a strong solvent silk, wool, or spandex fibers cannot gredients: petroleum solvent; pe- for plastics. Do not allow it to come be removed. troleum hydrocarbon; petroleum in contact with plastics or furniture Do not use bleach in metal con- distillate; 1,1,1-trichloroethane; per- finishes. tainers or with metal objects, be-OF chlorethane; or Varsol. cause metal may speed up the ac- CAUTION: Amyl acetate is poi- tion of the bleach enough to cause CAUTION: Poisonous; may be sonous and flammable. Do not fiber damage. Also, metal in con- flammable. Store drycleaning sol- breathe the vapors. Avoid contact tact with bleach may tarnish and vent in tightly capped unbreakable with the skin. cause additional stains on fabrics. containers. Store it out of the reach Avoid spilling or spatteringOUT bleach of children and where it cannot be Brushes on garments and nearby surfaces. ignited by flames or sparks. Brushes are used for a stain re- Drycleaning solvent gives off poi- CAUTION: Poisonous. Chlorine moval procedure called tamping. IS sonous fumes and can be poisonous bleach will cause burns or irritation The most suitable brush is the type on contact with the skin. When using if it comes in contact with the skin used for applying shoe polish, usu- drycleaning solvent, work outside or eyes. Observe all precautions on ally sold in a package of two. or in a well-ventilated room, and ar- the label. Brushes used for stain removal range work so that fumes are blown should be new and should not be away from you. Do not lean close to used for any other purpose. It is Coconut oil your work. Use only a small quan- best to have two brushes, so that Coconut oil is sold in drug stores tity at a time. Do not pour solvent one can be used for stain removers and healthinformation: food stores. It is used in into a bowl. Do not allow children that contain water and the other for the dry spotter solution (see below), or pets into the room.