WHAT WENT WRONG: READER ENQUIRY
INFORMATON UNDERLOAD:There is no mention of textile type here just to clean on a ‘Normal’ cycle
noticeable stains, so it did not require any stain pretreatment.
Probable cause of the fault This is a familiar problem and even without a physical inspection we can make some points useful to every cleaner. Colour issues and loose dyes have become more common recently, and we suspect this kind of problem might well be an under-reported issue and therefore of interest to many readers who have already suffered it. We understand from the cleaner that the main area of colour loss (see picture) was irregular and located on the lower left back panel of the jacket and was around 6cm across. The appearance of the colour loss areas is rather more consistent with contact with a general pre-spotting product, rather than a kit chemical (although the latter cannot be ruled out). It is also just possible that the colour loss had occurred during a previous dryclean and was successfully masked by that cleaner using a non-substantive colouring agent, and the colour has now been removed by the present cleaning. Unfortunately, if the colour loss had been camouflaged in this way, it could now be difficult to prove that this had happened. Some common contaminants, such as drinks containing alcohol, can loosen
dyes. When this happens, the item can look unstained going into the process, but when the loosened dyes are flushed away by the action of the drycleaning solvent the damage is revealed. The best way of identifying colour loss resulting from a drink spillage in use is from examination of the shape of the stain and the rim. Cleaners can usually recognise brush marks from application of a general pre-spotting mixture, or the characteristic shapes of addition of a stain removal chemical from a dropper bottle, to indicate when they have been at fault. Drinks containing a sugar, such as beer, wine or champagne, tend to leave a brown rim of caramelised sugar, which does not occur with professional chemicals.
Summary of training tips for handling high colour risk items It is important to note that materials such as cotton (especially dark corduroys), viscose rayon, linen, and silk may have a higher risk of being affected. Ensure these fabrics do not come into contact with pre- spotting soaps, whether undiluted or mixed with water.
The risk of colour damage is much lower if stains are removed on the spotting table, flushed away and feathered dry as opposed to being pre-spotted, because the cleaner can constantly monitor the procedure and check the colour.
Before a load is pre-spotted, colour sensitive items should be separated to ensure that there is no contact with the pre-spotted items, then placed last in the machine and the machine started
immediately. This should minimise the risk of cross contamination.
If colour sensitive items are checked/ inspected on the pre-spotting or spotting table prior to cleaning, clean the table first to ensure that it is free from pre-spotting products.
Many item types can be progressively at risk of colour loss or fabric damage if left for more than 30 min after pre-spotting. The longer spotting products are left on fabrics before they are cleaned the greater the risk of colour loss or colour change. Some spotting products are well known to be a potential problem in this respect. Items are very much at risk, if, late in the day, those that have been pre-spotted are left overnight before being cleaned. Both kit chemicals and general pre- spotting products are known to have been responsible for deep seated stains, or colour loss, if left on the fabric for a protracted period of time
Responsibility
Both drycleaners and wetcleaners should note that spotting product manufactures do not guarantee, or could be expected to guarantee, that their products are safe on the wide range of fibres and dyes that are used today or those that have been used in the past. Even products that are designed to be safe have been known to affect the colour. It is up to the cleaner, based on his practical and technical knowledge, to decide if a product is safe on any specific item and to use products in such a way as to minimise risks. We hope the tips given here will assist with this.
FADED PATCH: The cleaner reports not applying any stain pre-treatment or pre- spot soap to this garment, but it came out with a faded patch
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PATCHY COLOUR: The patchy colour loss on this brown linen jacket was the result of a cleaner’s attempt to remove a stain on the spotting table. The spotted area was masked with soap before drycleaning! With good stain removal techniques, the colour damage could have been avoided
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