However, the removal of stains can be hazardous to the fabric - and to the person attempting to get the stain off. To be successful, care and caution must be exercised. Old Stains There is often the effect of time upon a stain: the older the stain, the harder it is to remove.
While you might be looking at the garbage can with despair, take comfort in the fact that most stains, even hair dye stains, can be removed even after they've set in. That isn't to say that getting it out is going to be easy. It will take a bit of work.
But have you ever stopped to consider why stain removal is so necessary? The truth is, it goes far beyond simply making something look better. Stains can harbor bacteria, attract pests, and even damage the fabric or surface they're on.
The best technique for removing stains is to blot at it with a clean white cloth so that the staining material does not get pushed furher into the fibers or other surface. Instead, when you blot your goal is to transfer as much of the spill or drip into the white cloth you are blotting with.
Amongst all the golden rules for stain removal, acting quickly is by far the top of the list. The longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to remove. As soon as the stain lands, we recommend getting onto it. How quickly and speedily you get to the stain determines how successfully it is removed.
There are two major factors which are responsible for ensuring correct stain removal. One is the stain removal agent and the other is the method of stain removal.
It is important to allow the stain to stay in contact with cells for the minimum amount of time so that cells have sufficient time to absorb the stain. Leaving the stain on for a few additional seconds will not affect the result.
Old Stains There is often the effect of time upon a stain: the older the stain, the harder it is to remove. Drycleaners who are trained in stain removal prefer to work on fresh stains which have not had time to "set" or react with the fabric, dyes, finish, or atmosphere.
Before you apply stain, wait 4-8 weeks after your new deck is built. Start your project by sweeping away any leaves or other debris.
Typically a deck stain does fade over the years from UV exposure but this varies based on the stain brand and type of stain that is being used. Most penetrating deck stains that are of high quality will fade lightly through the years and that is normal.
Often this means going through the various stain treatment cycles (see graphic) more than once (and not simply flinging a garment in the laundry basket in defeat). "The good news is that almost any stain will come out eventually," says Mr. Macpherson.
Rubbing. Frantically rubbing a stain can make it spread further and also damage the weave of the fabric. Try gently dabbing the stain away first.
Spray directly into the spot or stain until saturated. Let stand for 5 minutes or up to a week depending on the severity of the stain. For fabrics that are prone to color change, do not let stand longer than 5 minutes.
Stain removers often contain alcohol which acts as a solvent for both water-based and oil-based stains. Hydrocarbon solvents, such as gasoline, may be used to dissolve some stains. The rule here is that "like dissolves like". Basically this means you want to use a solvent that is chemically similar to your stain.
The general rule is that 'like dissolves like,' which means that using a solvent that is similar in chemical composition to the stain can dissolve it faster. So, if you have an oil-based stain, an alcohol solvent works; water-based solvents can be removed with soapy water or club soda.
Unfortunately for everyone, some stains are permanent. They simply become part of the fabric. Continued attempts to remove them will cause dye loss or fabric damage, known as chafing or fraying. Many stains are removed by the dry cleaning machine and require no additional effort from the cleaner.
Soak item for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1-quart lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon ammonia, and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Gently rub stain from the back, then soak for an additional 15 minutes. Rinse the item, then soak in Oxy-Clean solution for at least 30 minutes, or until the stain is gone. Launder normally.
Why is time an important factor in simple staining? Time is important because it creates a contrast between the bacteria and the stain. If you over or under stain you won't be able to see bacteria.
Cover the smear with methylene blue and allow the dye to remain in the smear for approximately one minute (Staining time is not critical here; somewhere between 30 seconds to 2 minutes should give you an acceptable stain, the longer you leave the dye in it, the darker will be the stain).
The thickness of the smear used in the Gram stain will affect the result of the stain. The step that is most crucial in effecting the outcome of the stain is the decolorizing step.
The most common technique for stain removal is rubber cup polish called Motor Driven Coronal Polish: It is a slow-speed hand piece with attached rubber cup and polishing paste.
Other factors of importance are ionic strength of the dye medium, concentration of dye, nature and affinity of the dye, fixation and other chemical modification of the protein, temperature, diffusion, rate of staining, and the chemical and physical characteristics of the protein.