Why are stain removers used

Simple soapy water dissolves both oil and water stains, while simultaneously coating the stain so it is easy to rinse away. For example, heating a blood stain, as with hot water, may set the stain. Contact us today to get started with our uniform rental programs, letting us pick up your grease-stained uniforms, and return them looking like new! It is sold at grocery stores. Because ammonia affects some dyes, always pretest on a hidden corner of the stained article.

To restore color changed by ammonia, rinse the affected area with water and apply a few drops of white vinegar. Rinse with clear water again. Ammonia damages silk and wool; if you must use it on these fibers, dilute it with an equal amount of water and use as sparingly as possible. Caution: Ammonia is poisonous. Avoid inhaling its fumes. It will cause burns or irritation if it comes in contact with the skin or eyes.

Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach, as this will release chloramine, a highly toxic substance. Amyl Acetate. Buy chemically pure amyl acetate banana oil for use in stain removal. It is sometimes available at drugstores or may perhaps be ordered from them. It is safe for use on fibers that could be damaged by acetone, but it should not be allowed to come in contact with plastics or furniture finishes.

Caution: Amyl acetate is poisonous and flammable. Avoid contact with the skin and inhaling the vapors. Coconut Oil. Coconut oil is sold in drug and health food stores. It is used in the preparation of a dry spotter, which is used to remove many kinds of stains. If you cannot obtain coconut oil, you may substitute mineral oil which is almost as effective. Glycerine is sold generically in pharmacies. It is used in the preparation of the wet spotter, which is used to remove many kinds of stains.

Oxalic Acid. Effective in treating ink and rust stains, oxalic acid crystals may be found in pharmacies or special-ordered from them. Before using the crystals, you must dissolve them in water 1 tablespoon crystals to 1 cup warm water. You may also be able to purchase liquid oxalic acid at hardware stores, where it is sometimes sold as wood bleach.

Petroleum-base solvents can be used as a pretreatment before laundering. Petroleum jelly can help when water-based glues or adhesives are stuck to clothing. Rinse the fabric and reapply the jelly until all traces of the adhesive are gone, then wash in hot water. For ink stains, petroleum jelly can be used to form a barrier around the ink stain while it is being treated to avoid spreading the ink to adjoining threads.

Blotting petroleum jelly onto lipstick stains is also effective. Prewash spot removers are applied to garment stains before laundering. These removers work in a variety of ways. Cleaning agents or surfactants loosen stains and improve their ability to be carried away by water. Enzymes work on protein stains, such as blood, to make it easier for the laundry detergent to clean. Other pretreatments make the stain more alkaline so it can be more easily cleaned, while pretreatment bleach improves whiteness.

Prewash products are available in an aerosol, spray, stick, liquid, gel, foam, powder, or wipe. Rust is one of the most difficult stains to remove.

As with many other stains, it is important not to set the stain. Do not subject the fabric to a dryer or other heat. Because the products suspend the iron-oxide particles in the water, it is especially important to rinse the fabric well because those particles can be toxic.

Most rust removers should only be used on white or colorfast fabrics. Common white vinegar offers a number of solutions for stains in the laundry room. Here are some handy recipes to keep on hand to fight specific stain problems. Soak the stained garment for an hour.

Soak the stain for minutes, then rinse and launder as usual. Salt stains: Mix one part vinegar with three parts water, and wipe salt stains off shoes and leather garments with a cloth dipped in the solution.