Stain Removal Products and Tips
Stain Removal Products and Tips:
Before attempting any stain removal on your garments there are four key factors to evaluate before proceeding.
1) Identify the type of stain – remove any excess stain before applying stain remover.
2) Color of garment – test colorfastness in a hidden area with stain remover before attempting any stain removal.
3) Type of material – determined the amount of heat and/or agitation that can be applied to the material and color before proceeding.
4) Which product to use – By identifying the type of stain now you can determine which product to use and how the product will affect the previous factors mentioned.
Wash Information:
- The hotter the water temperature the stronger the cleaning solution. Every increase in temperature of 15 degree Fahrenheit doubles the strength of the cleaning solution.
- After applying a pre-spotting to a garment lightly tap it with a brush to help it penetrate in to the stain, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before washing.
- Check the stain after washing, before putting the garment into the dryer. Many stains need to be treated multiple times to be removed completely. The heat from the dryer may permanently set the stain if not completely removed.
—– PRODUCTS —–
These products were chosen for there ease of availability.
They are not necessarily the greenest products available.
Enzymes:
- Use as a direct stain remover for all types of protein and tannin stains.
- Use as a soaking solution for large or multiple stains. Enzymes work on a wide variety of stain such as blood, wine, vomit, urine, foods, beverages, grass, egg, perspiration, feces, liquor, mold, mildew and much more.
Borax:
- Use along with your detergent as a soaking solution to create a general stains remover. Soak difficult to remove stains for several hours before washing.
- Add to the wash to boost strength of detergent.
White Vinegar:
- Use it in the wash to lower the pH of water thus preventing color loss from garments. Approximately 1oz per 3 gallons of water.
- Use directly on stains as a stain remover. Apply directly to acid and tannin stains such as fruit juice, wine, spaghetti sauce, coffee, grass, liquor, unidentifiable yellow stains, mild mildew-mold, perspiration, and more.
Simple Green:
- Use as a direct stain remover for oil and grease stains. Apply directly to oil stains such as salad dressing, lip stick, mascara, peanut butter, shoe polish, hand lotion, ink from ball point pen, and more.
Oxiclean Liquid:
- Use as a stain remover with slight bleaching action for unidentifiable stains, general food stains, protein and tannin stains.
Spray n Wash:
- Use as a stain remover for unidentifiable stains, food stains, protein stains, general dirt stains, such as ring around the collar and cuffs, mud, grass, ground in soil, and more.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
- Use as a stain remover with a slight bleaching action. Use on stains such as blood, urine, perspiration, wine, curry, mustard, tea, slight iron burn marks, slight oxidization, and more.
Baking Soda:
- Use in the wash to remove odors, boost strength of detergents and as a fabric softener.
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid:
- Use this as a pre-spotting soap for general stains and dirt remover as well as for oil stains. Mix in a spray bottle with 1 part Dawn and 5 parts water. Spray on stains before washing. Apply directly to oil stains before washing. Rinse area before washing in a front load machine due to the amount of suds it will produce.
Karl Huie
Pacific Heights Cleaners in San Francisco and Sausalito is your green dry cleaner serving you with non toxic alternatives.
The first dry cleaner in Marin and San Francisco to be green business certified by the Bay Area Green Business Program and San Francisco Environment. Using the Wet Clean dry cleaning system that is EPA approved as environmentally friendly.
Green Cleaning Products Contact:
Emily Schaffer – Offering Shacklee Products
http://emilyschaffer.myshaklee.com/us/en/category.php?main_cat=HomeCare&sub_cat=GetCleanLaundry
415.302.6450
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