Page 8 - Clothesline - November 2020

PAGE 8 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / NOVEMBER, 2020
THE SPOTTING BOARD BY DAN EISEN

Breaking down chemical reactions

f you understand true oric (rust remover)? Acid Used for Spotting spotting agent. The dyes on silks and wools
chemical action the proce- Answer: Acetic acid. Tannin formulas are pre- must be carefully tested.
Idures you undertake for Let’s start. In order to be a pared formulas consisting of Oxalic Acid is a useful Spotting Tannin Stains
stain removal will be easier chemical it must be soluble in a mild acid mixed with a acid in removing many types Tannin stains are veg-

and more proficient. Chemi- water and acid or an alkali. wetside lubricant. Tannin of tannin stains, especially etable or are obtained from
cal action is the changing of This means that drycleaning formulas are usually safe to berry, cherry and wine. It is plant sources. Examples of
the properties of the stain to solvents, amyl acetate and fabrics and are not as strong also effective on rust and tannin stains are coffee, tea,
make it either invisible or volatile dry solvents which as most acids used in its pure metallic stains. It is also a liquor, wine and soft drinks.
water soluble. Before we start are not soluble in water and chemical state. mild reducing agent which Tannin stains respond best to
understanding chemical ac- therefore cannot be termed Acetic Acid has a strong makes it effective on dye acids. Never use alkalis or
tion, why don’t we take a lit- chemicals. You may argue relationship to vinegar. Vine- stains. It is considered a more protein formula on tannin
tle quiz to test our this but we need this defini- gar is produced through the aggressive chemical and stains because the stain will

knowledge of chemicals. tion to explain how chemi- action of bacteria on yeast fer- should be tested for the become set and often impos-
If I put sugar in water, is cals work in spotting. mented brews. Vinegar can safety of dyes on fabrics. You sible to remove.
that a chemical action? be made of any plant that can can order oxalic acid from Flush.
Answer: No. You are only Acid Facts be fermented to form alcohol, your jobber in crystal form Neutral Lubricant.
changing the physical state Acids are defined as chem- which is subsequently con- and mix with 20 parts water. Mechanical Action.
of the sugar, but chemically it icals that release hydrogen verted to acetic acid. Acetic Laidlaw Chemical Co. sells Flush.

still remains the same sugar. ions in the presence of water. acid is more effective than oxalic acid as a rust remover. Tannin Formula.
This is an example of wetside The pH, or potential of hy- tannin formulas on some tan- The product is called Rustaid Mechanical Action.
solvent action. drogen, measures the nin stains such as wine and and is already mixed so it Flush.
Is the strongest acid bat- strengths of the acids. Any liquor. Some people do not makes it easier to use. Acetic Acid + Neutral Lu-

tery acid or the acid found in number under seven means like using acetic acid because General Formula is a mix- bricant.
the human digestive system? that the substance is acid in of its odor. Add a little neu-
ture of a lubricant, alcohol, Mechanical Action.
Answer: The digestive sys- nature. tral lubricant to the acetic and a mild acid. It is very ef- Flush.
Oxalic Acid
tem contains a stronger acid, Acids are used for tannin acid and the odor problem is fective on ink stains and dye
which is hydrochloric acid stains, inks, dyes and medi-
solved. When using acetic but not generally very effec- Test Fabric.
while battery acid, which is cines. Acids neutralize alkali. acid remember to order it at tive on other tannin stains. Be Heat.
sulfuric, is slightly weaker. Alkali are capable of causing 28%. It is also advisable to di- careful using it because the Flush.
Which is stronger – acids color change on fabrics. lute this down with a little alcohol content may be dan- General Formula.
used in tannin formulas for Acids neutralize the alkali water to bring the concentra- gerous to the dye on some Test Fabric.
r emoval of citrus stains or which in most cases can re- tion to about 20%. Acetic acid fabrics. General formula Mechanical Action.
acids found in citrus stains? store the color. may be safe and used as a should not be used if the Flush.
Answer: About the same. Heat accelerates all chemi- general spotting agent but stain is protein or albu- Rust Remover.
Which is more likely to cals which means a relatively when it is heated it may affect minous in nature. The alcohol Test Fabric.

cause color loss on a rayon safe acid can become much acetate fabrics. Besides using will set these type of stains. Heat.
and acetate fabric, either stronger
and dangerous tannin formulas learn to add Flush.
acetic acid (33%) or hydroflu- when heated. acetic acid as an additional Acid Used for Spotting Protein Formula to Neutral-
Rust Remover is hydroflu-
ize Rust Remover.
oric acid. This is effective not Flush.

only on rust stains but on Peroxide (3%) Plus Ammo-
many types of tannin stains. nia.
Rinsing is difficult and I have Test Fabric.
found that the best way to Heat.
flush and neutralize rust re- Flush.
mover is to use a neutral lu- Acid.
bricant or a protein formula. Flush.
This will not only aid in re- Feather.
moving it from the fabric but At any stage that the stain
it will neutralize any trace of is removed you would then
the rust remover. Keep rust stop the procedure.
remover away from metallic Protein Procedure:
fabrics, metallic ornaments Flush.
and glass. It is also advisable Neutral Lubricant.
to test the safety of this acid Mechanical Action.
before using on the fabric. Flush.
Protein Formula.
Alkali Facts Mechanical Action
Alkalis release hydroxyl in Flush.
the presence of water. Alkalis Ammonia Plus Neutral Lu-
e effective on protein and bricant.
ar
albuminous stains. It is also Mechanical Action.
effective as an aid in remov- Flush.
ing ground-in soil. It will Digest – If stain is stiff.
neutralize color change Flush.
caused by an acid. The pH of Peroxide (3%) + Ammonia
alkalis are measured in num- Test Fabric.
bers higher than seven. Heat.
Flush.
Alkalis Used for Spotting Acid.
Ready-made protein for- Flush.
mulas are mixed with a mild Feather.
Dan Eisen, former chief garment
alkali and a lubricant. It is
relatively safe and effective,
analyst for the National Cleaners
but should be tested on Association, can be reached at
wools and silks. (772) 340-0909 or (772) 579-
Ammonia (26) is used for 5044, by e-mail at
spotting protein and albu- [email protected] or
minous stains. It is stronger through his website at www.gar-

and more aggressive than mentanalysis.com.
To learn more, visit www.natclo.com/ads ready-made protein formulas.