The Stain Wizard’s February Letters
Dear Stain Wizard,
A customer brought in a Christmas table runner, with a large curry stain. How can I remove the stain, without affecting the glitter and glued on design?
Signed, Captain Keith,
Captain Keith’s Classic Cleaners, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Dear Captain,
Curry is considered a combination stain because it has elements of wet side and dry side. Tannin in origin, and dye with an oily component. (The oil of the curry is not a liquid, but a solid at room temperature. In parts of India, coconut oil is added to many curry dishes).
Apply Laundry TarGo directly to the stain. Let sit overnight. Launder per directions. The laundry based P.O.G. (Paint, Oil, Grease) remover will remove the oil, dyes and tannin, from the stain.
If slight residual stain remains, apply Hydrogen Peroxide.
Dear Stain Wizard,
A customer brought in a brand new, $500.00 Louie Vuitton sweatshirt.
We processed it per the care label, but the black trim still bled into the white portion. Please help.
Signed Mark,
Midtown Cleaners, Houston, Texas
Dear Mark,
You might not feel lucky, but you are! The garment doesn’t contain Spandex and the affected areas of dye bleed, are white. The other good things are….You didn’t panic and reprocess this garment (that could set the unwanted dye, making removal almost impossible, nor did the pressers continue finishing the garment.
(In the future…you have to STOP and test the trim for bleeding, before processing. This was almost a $500.00 lesson).
We can fix this, but it’s going to take some time and some patience.
Wear gloves and eye wear.
Using a Q-tip, carefully apply dye stripper (YellowGo) directly to the affected area.
Apply RustGo and flush with steam.
After unwanted dye is removed, flush well and air dry each area.
The unwanted, fugitive dye will be removed.
After unwanted dye is removed, flush well and air dry each area.
The unwanted, fugitive dye will be removed.
Remember: When in doubt, TEST the garment before processing.
If a garment comes in without a Care Label…Get a customer release.
Remember: When in doubt, TEST the garment before processing.
If a garment comes without a Care Label…Get a Customer release
Jeff Schwarz “The Stain Wizard” has been in the drycleaning and laundry industry since 1991. He represents A. L.Wilson Chemical Company covering 18 states and Western Canada.
Jeff has been part of several drycleaning associations and conducts seminars and in-plant training across the United States.
He wears his stained lab coat as a tribute to Doris Easley. He writes for various trade publications as a tribute to the legacy of his closest friend Kenney Slatten.
Jeff can be reached at (201) 240-9446 or email: JeffSchwarz@Alwilson.com.
Jeff Schwarz “The Stain Wizard” has been in the drycleaning and laundry industry since 1991. He represents A. L.Wilson Chemical Company covering 18 states and Western Canada.
Jeff has been part of several drycleaning associations and conducts seminars and in-plant training across the United States.
He wears his stained lab coat as a tribute to Doris Easley. He writes for various trade publications as a tribute to the legacy of his closest friend Kenney Slatten.
Jeff can be reached at (201) 240-9446 or email: JeffSchwarz@Alwilson.com.
