Michigan Institute of Laundering & Dry Cleaning

Know Your Stains

Other then lint and utility costs, they are the archenemy of laundry owners everywhere. And if you are one of the many store operators who also offer wash–dry-fold or commercial laundry services, stains are an everyday, year-around nemesis. 

As a result, we wanted to proved you with basic removal guidelines to specific strategies for tackling particular strains, from what a well-stocked wash-dry-fold arsenal should include to tailoring your laundering to a garment’s fabric.

The Basic Rules

First things first, there are two kinds of stains- water soluble, including most food and drink stains; and waxy, oil-based stains, such as makeup, cooking oil and ballpoint ink, which require a cleaning solvent.

Never use water and cleaning fluid together. Some stains, such as lipstick, gravy, oil-based paint and ballpoint ink, will require both methods. First, remove all of the wax with cleaning fluid and then attack the dye stain with water. Water applied initially on oil-based stains may release their dyes and make them permanent stains.

Here are some additional "rules" to follow regarding stain management. Maytag offers its clients a comprehensive "Stain Removal Guide," within which it cites the "Three P’s." 

The Three P’s of Stain removal

1. Promptness. Treat Stains as quickly as possible before laundering. Age and laundering before pre-treating can set some stains.
2. Patience. If the garment is worth saving (and a customer would not bring it to you if it wasn’t), it is worth a little extra time and effort to follow stain removal procedures.
3. Perseverance. Because some stains are difficult to remove, it may be necessary to repeat a procedure several times.

With those rules in mind, here are some general guidelines on exactly how to treat a stain:

• Don’t ignore "invisible" stains such as ginger ale, fruit juice or sugar just because they have disappeared into the fabric. Over time, they are likely to turn yellow and can attract dirt.
• Read the label. Before treating and garment, read its care label and follow it to the letter. Make sure you and your attendants are familiar with the fabric care symbols on clothing labels. Some major soap manufacturers publish free posters explaining these symbols. This rule also applies to detergents and pre-treaters. You can permanently set a stain, or even completely ruin its fabric, by using the chemical improperly.
• Always test a detergent or chemical on an inconspicuous area of a garment before applying it directly to the stain, to check for colorfastness. A clipping from the seam allowance is usually the best place. For testing, let the product stand for two to five minutes and then rinse. If the color is affected, do not use the treatment.  
• Treat a stain from the inside of the garment. One good method is to place the fabric face down on a paper towel. As you treat, change the paper towel regularly to prevent the stain from transferring back onto the fabric. 
• Always blot a stain, never rub. Rubbing on a stain can set it in permanently and also can permanently mark or damage the fabric.
• Don’t over soak a stain, or hand- or machine-wash a stained fabric for too long. This can cause soil to redeposit on the garment, and can fade colors. 
• To prevent a ring, moisten a piece of cheese-cloth with the water or cleaning fluid used. Wipe gently around the edges of the stain toward the center. 
• Always launder after treatment to remove the cleaning product as well as the stain. 
• Air-dry a garment until you are certain that a stain has been removed. Dryer heat will set the stain.

The Well-Stocked Laundry

The next step is to properly stock your store in order to give your wash-dry-fold staffers a fighting chance against the stains they will encounter. There are several types of commercial fabric treatments and cleaners that you should have on hand for stain removal.

• Detergents. Both powders and liquids are effective when used correctly. If you use them to pre-treat, you can use the liquid directly on the stain, or mix the powdered detergent with water to create a paste.
• Bleach. Chlorine bleach is a great help in removing stains, but it is very strong and can damage certain fabrics. Dilution with water (approximately 50/50) is usually safe when treating stains on bleach-safe fabrics. Oxygen bleach, usually called "all-fabric" bleach, can be used on a variety of different fabrics.
• Pre-spotter. These commercial sprays or liquids work well to loosen stains before laundering, and are safe for most fabrics.
• Cleaning solvents. Some stains may require commercial drycleaning or other cleaning solvents. These are effective on tough stains, but require special care. All traces of the solvent must be removed before drying the garment or returning it to the customer, as the vapors are often toxic or flammable. 
• Pre-soaking and soaking products. These commercial detergents contain enzymes or bleaching agents, and are used to soak a stain before laundering.
• Rust removers. These are powerful stain removers, but great care must be taken not to damage fabrics with this product. As a result, follow the directions carefully when using rust removers.
• Miscellaneous cleaners. Ammonia, oxalic acid crystals, white vinegar and club soda. 
• Other tools. It helps to keep items such as paper towels, sponges, white bar soap and a small scrub brush or toothbrush on hand to aid in stain removal.

We hope this rules and tips help in your stain removal. This information is from the December 2007 issue of The Journal.