STAIN REMOVAL STAIN REMOVAL TECHNIQUETECHNIQUE

Stain is a mark of discoloration on Stain is a mark of discoloration on fabric left by contact or absorption of fabric left by contact or absorption of some foreign material.some foreign material.

Stain removal is both an art and a Stain removal is both an art and a science.science.

Entirely depends on the nature of the Entirely depends on the nature of the stain.stain.

They are usually classified acvcording They are usually classified acvcording to the substance that causes them.to the substance that causes them.

Identity of stain is its color, smell, feel Identity of stain is its color, smell, feel and appearance.and appearance.

CLASSIFICATION OF STAINCLASSIFICATION OF STAIN Protein stains – caused by egg, milk, Protein stains – caused by egg, milk,

blood, meat juice etc. Heat must be blood, meat juice etc. Heat must be avoided in their removal otherwise protein avoided in their removal otherwise protein will get fixed in the stain.will get fixed in the stain.

Vegetable stains – caused by grass , tea , Vegetable stains – caused by grass , tea , tomato ketchup, coffee and cocoa. These tomato ketchup, coffee and cocoa. These are acidic in nature and require alkaline are acidic in nature and require alkaline medium to remove them.medium to remove them.

Grease stain – may be just grease spots or Grease stain – may be just grease spots or some coloring matter with grease. Include some coloring matter with grease. Include oil, Butter ,paints, varnish etc. Grease oil, Butter ,paints, varnish etc. Grease solvents or absorbents are used to solvents or absorbents are used to dissolve or absorb grease before removal dissolve or absorb grease before removal of coloring matter.of coloring matter.

Dye and Mineral stains – rust, dye , Dye and Mineral stains – rust, dye , ink, medicine stains etc. These may ink, medicine stains etc. These may be acidic or alkaline. These are first be acidic or alkaline. These are first treated with acidic reagents.treated with acidic reagents.

Miscellaneous stains – include stains Miscellaneous stains – include stains like scorch , chewing gum , like scorch , chewing gum , grass .Though grass comes under the grass .Though grass comes under the vegetable stains , a but different vegetable stains , a but different method is used for removing method is used for removing chlorophyll.chlorophyll.

IDENTIFICATION OF STAINIDENTIFICATION OF STAIN

BY COLOUR BY COLOUR BY SMELLBY SMELL BY TEXTUREBY TEXTURE BY SPREAD AREA OF THE STAIN BY SPREAD AREA OF THE STAIN BY OCCUPATIONBY OCCUPATION BY LOCATIONBY LOCATION

METHODS OF STAIN REMOVALMETHODS OF STAIN REMOVAL FRICTION – stubborn stains are removed by FRICTION – stubborn stains are removed by

frictional force. Sometimes combined with the frictional force. Sometimes combined with the sponging and steeping method. Stains of paint , nail sponging and steeping method. Stains of paint , nail polish , curry etc requires such a process of polish , curry etc requires such a process of removal.removal.

DIPPING AND STEEPING – stained sample is dipped DIPPING AND STEEPING – stained sample is dipped into an appropriate reagent and left in it for into an appropriate reagent and left in it for sometime. Then it is taken out, scrubbed and sometime. Then it is taken out, scrubbed and washed well. Used for stains that are old & washed well. Used for stains that are old & stubborn.stubborn.

GREASE ABSORBENT METHOD – a dry cleaning GREASE ABSORBENT METHOD – a dry cleaning method. Work the absorbent powder onto the stain method. Work the absorbent powder onto the stain from right side of the fabric, rubbing gently with a from right side of the fabric, rubbing gently with a blunt knife. When paste discolors, shake it or brush blunt knife. When paste discolors, shake it or brush it off & repeat. Remove all traces of powder with a it off & repeat. Remove all traces of powder with a fresh cloth or soft brush. fresh cloth or soft brush.

SPONGING – usually used when the SPONGING – usually used when the cleaning liquid must penetrate the cleaning liquid must penetrate the fabric. Place a pad or blotting paper fabric. Place a pad or blotting paper under the stain & saturate with under the stain & saturate with cleaning fluid. Soak the fluid into the cleaning fluid. Soak the fluid into the stain by padding on the wrong side stain by padding on the wrong side of the fabric change the under-swabs of the fabric change the under-swabs & pads frequently whenever they & pads frequently whenever they appear dirty. Remove excess liquid appear dirty. Remove excess liquid with linen cloth & dry the cloth by with linen cloth & dry the cloth by blowing or waving the fabric.blowing or waving the fabric.

REAGENTS USED REAGENTS USED

ACIDIC REAGENTS – ACIDIC REAGENTS – acetic acid, used for steeping stains acetic acid, used for steeping stains

and to brighten the colour.and to brighten the colour. Oleic acid, used for spotting of Oleic acid, used for spotting of

grease and oil stains.grease and oil stains. Oxalic acid, used to remove rust and Oxalic acid, used to remove rust and

food stains.food stains.

ALKALINE REAGENTS ALKALINE REAGENTS Sodium carbonate, used to remove Sodium carbonate, used to remove

stains of scorch.stains of scorch. Borax, used to remove stains of tea and Borax, used to remove stains of tea and

coffee also used as a bleaching agent.coffee also used as a bleaching agent. Ammonia , used to remove stains of Ammonia , used to remove stains of

blood and grease.blood and grease. GREASE SOLVENTS, petrol, carbon GREASE SOLVENTS, petrol, carbon

tetrachloride , acetone, turpentine oil, tetrachloride , acetone, turpentine oil, methylated spirit.methylated spirit.

VARIOUS STAINS AND THEIR VARIOUS STAINS AND THEIR METHODS OF REMOVALMETHODS OF REMOVAL

VEGETABLE STAINS VEGETABLE STAINS Tea ,coffee ,cocoa aerated drink - Tea ,coffee ,cocoa aerated drink - • Spread borax over the stain and pour Spread borax over the stain and pour

boiling water.boiling water.• Steep in a glycerin solution over Steep in a glycerin solution over

nightnight• Bleach with javelle water.Bleach with javelle water.• Wash, rinse and dry in sun.Wash, rinse and dry in sun.• Don’t iron.Don’t iron.

Food juice -Food juice -• Treat the stain with oxalic acid and Treat the stain with oxalic acid and

neutralize it with borax or an alkali. neutralize it with borax or an alkali. • Wash rinse and dry in sun.Wash rinse and dry in sun.• Avoid javelle water as it fixes the iron Avoid javelle water as it fixes the iron

containing stain.containing stain. Tomato ketchup – Tomato ketchup – • Soak the stain in glycerin. Wash with Soak the stain in glycerin. Wash with

warm water.warm water.• Bleach with javelle water. Wash & Bleach with javelle water. Wash &

dry in sun.dry in sun.

Haldi –Haldi –• Wash with detergent solution & Wash with detergent solution &

bleach in the sun & stain disappears.bleach in the sun & stain disappears.• Bleach with javelle water or water. Bleach with javelle water or water.

Wash rinse well & dry in sun.Wash rinse well & dry in sun. PROTEIN STAINSPROTEIN STAINS Egg , blood & milk Egg , blood & milk • Soak in cold water or dilute sodium Soak in cold water or dilute sodium

hydroxide solution with gentle hydroxide solution with gentle rubbing.rubbing.

• Bleach with hydrogen peroxide.Bleach with hydrogen peroxide.• Wash & rinse well. Dry in sun.Wash & rinse well. Dry in sun.

GREASE STAINSGREASE STAINS Curry –Curry –• Wash with hot detergent & bleach in sun.Wash with hot detergent & bleach in sun.• Sponge with grease solvent over blotting Sponge with grease solvent over blotting

paper.paper.• Bleach with hydrogen peroxide. Rinse well Bleach with hydrogen peroxide. Rinse well

& dry in sun.& dry in sun. Lipstick , nailpolish –Lipstick , nailpolish –• Sponge with grease solvent (acetone) over Sponge with grease solvent (acetone) over

a blotting paper with face down.a blotting paper with face down.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash & rinse in warm water & dry in sun.Wash & rinse in warm water & dry in sun.

Ball Pen –Ball Pen –• Sponge with grease solvent.Sponge with grease solvent.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash with hot detergent solution. Wash with hot detergent solution.

Rinse & dry in sun.Rinse & dry in sun. Motor Grease –Motor Grease –• Sponge with grease solvent.Sponge with grease solvent.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash with hot detergent solution.Wash with hot detergent solution.• Wash – rinse well & dry in sun.Wash – rinse well & dry in sun.

Paint Enamel –Paint Enamel –• Scrap off as much as possible.Scrap off as much as possible.• Soak in mineral turpentine or enamel Soak in mineral turpentine or enamel

solvent with gentle rubbing.solvent with gentle rubbing.• Bleach with reducing bleach if Bleach with reducing bleach if

necessary.necessary.• Wash – rinse well & dry in sun.Wash – rinse well & dry in sun. Shoe polish –Shoe polish –• Scrap off as much as possibleScrap off as much as possible• Sponge with grease solvent.Sponge with grease solvent.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash & rinse well and dry in sun.Wash & rinse well and dry in sun.

Grease –Grease –• Sponge with grease solvent with face Sponge with grease solvent with face

down.down.• Wash and rinse well. Dry in sun.Wash and rinse well. Dry in sun. Pickle – Pickle – • Wash in hot detergent solution & dry Wash in hot detergent solution & dry

in sun after rinsing.in sun after rinsing.• Sponge with grease solvent petrol or Sponge with grease solvent petrol or

CClCCl4 4 repeat step 1.repeat step 1.• Bleach if necessary.wash , rinse & Bleach if necessary.wash , rinse &

dry in sun.dry in sun.

Carbon paper –Carbon paper –• Sponge with dry cleaning solvent.Sponge with dry cleaning solvent.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary. DYE AND MINERAL STAINSDYE AND MINERAL STAINS Blue ink –Blue ink –• Rub lime with salt or apply citric acid Rub lime with salt or apply citric acid

followed by borax.followed by borax.• Steep in warm solution of KMnOSteep in warm solution of KMnO4 4

followed by dilute oxalic acid alternately.followed by dilute oxalic acid alternately.• Wash in soap solution. Rinse & dry in Wash in soap solution. Rinse & dry in

sun.sun.

Red ink –Red ink –• Rub in glycerin gently & rinse.Rub in glycerin gently & rinse.• Wash in dilute ammonia solution.Wash in dilute ammonia solution.• Steep in solution of KMnOSteep in solution of KMnO4 & dilute 4 & dilute

oxalic acid alternately.oxalic acid alternately.• Wash and rinse well. Dry in sun.Wash and rinse well. Dry in sun. Dye –Dye –• Steep in dilute ammonia solution or Steep in dilute ammonia solution or

soap solution.soap solution.• Remove with oxidizing or reducing Remove with oxidizing or reducing

bleach.bleach.• Wash ,rinse well & dry in sun.Wash ,rinse well & dry in sun.

Rust –Rust –• Rub in dilute oxalic acid (40%) & Rub in dilute oxalic acid (40%) &

then neutralize in borax solution.then neutralize in borax solution.• Bleach with javelle water.Bleach with javelle water.• Wash , rinse wejj & dry in sun.Wash , rinse wejj & dry in sun. Iodine –Iodine –• Apply starch pasted to the stains.Apply starch pasted to the stains.• If dry stains steep in dilute solution of If dry stains steep in dilute solution of

sodium thiosulphate.sodium thiosulphate.• Wash ,rinse well & dry in sun.Wash ,rinse well & dry in sun.

Medicine –Medicine –• Wash immediately when fresh.Wash immediately when fresh.• Soak & rub in glycerin & rinse well.Soak & rub in glycerin & rinse well.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash , rinse well & dry in sun.Wash , rinse well & dry in sun. MISCELLANEOUS STAINSMISCELLANEOUS STAINS Felt pen –Felt pen –• Sponge with methylated spirit face Sponge with methylated spirit face

doen.doen.• Steep in warm solution of KMnOSteep in warm solution of KMnO44 & &

oxalic acid alternately.oxalic acid alternately.• Wash, rinse & dry in sun.Wash, rinse & dry in sun.

Katha –Katha –• Bleach with warm solution of KMnOBleach with warm solution of KMnO44

& 10% oxalic acid alternately.& 10% oxalic acid alternately.• Wash rinse & dry in sun.Wash rinse & dry in sun. Chewing gum –Chewing gum –• Sponge with grease solvent face Sponge with grease solvent face

down.down.• Sponge with ice.Sponge with ice.• Bleach if necessary.Bleach if necessary.• Wash rinse & dry in sunWash rinse & dry in sun

Coal tar –Coal tar –• Sponge with solvent face down.Sponge with solvent face down.• Rub in kerosene oil.Rub in kerosene oil.• Wash & rinse in hot soapy solution.Wash & rinse in hot soapy solution.• Bleach if necessary. Wash rinse & dry in Bleach if necessary. Wash rinse & dry in

sun.sun. Mud –Mud –• Scrap off dry deposits.Scrap off dry deposits.• Wash off with soapy solution.Wash off with soapy solution.• Bleach in hot solution of KMnOBleach in hot solution of KMnO44 & oxalic & oxalic

acid alternately.acid alternately.• Wash rinse & dry in sun.Wash rinse & dry in sun.

Eyebrow pencil –Eyebrow pencil –• Wash with dilute ammonia solution Wash with dilute ammonia solution

after a hot soapy solution.after a hot soapy solution.• Wash rinse & dry in sun. use bleach if Wash rinse & dry in sun. use bleach if

necessary.necessary. Scorch –Scorch –• Bleach with Bleach with HH22OO22 . Keep it steeped . Keep it steeped

for few minutes.for few minutes.• Soak in sodium carbonate with some Soak in sodium carbonate with some

detergent (2-3 hrs).detergent (2-3 hrs).• Rinse well & dry in sun.Rinse well & dry in sun.

Grass –Grass –• Steep in kerosene. Rub firmly.Steep in kerosene. Rub firmly.• Rinse well & dry in sun.Rinse well & dry in sun.

STAIN REMOVING MACHINESSTAIN REMOVING MACHINES

Stain gun –Stain gun –

Stain removing machine works on Stain removing machine works on the cold spotting principle.the cold spotting principle.

• Can be operated even by unskilled Can be operated even by unskilled worker.worker.

• Easy availability of spare & Easy availability of spare & comprehensive service.comprehensive service.

• Stainless steel body prevents rust & Stainless steel body prevents rust & distortion of fabric.distortion of fabric.

• Indigenous machine with imported Indigenous machine with imported spares.spares.