Dear Stain Wizard,
The following story is true.
One of my customers over indulged on Christmas wine, fell into the Christmas tree and broke her nose. She bled profusely onto the green tree skirt.
Approximately three years later, she brought the stained tree skirt in to be cleaned…The Blood Had Turned Black, and it was everywhere!
You advised me to use the SoGo1, digester and soak the skirt, which I did. I actually had to soak it overnight because there was so much blood. IT WORKED…!
(The Christmas tree skirt was a family heirloom and the customer’s mother had recently passed away. That’s why it was so important to restore this piece).
Thank you so much for your help!!
Signed, Marti in California
Now that Christmas is over, sometimes Mrs. Claus will send Santa’s suit to the drycleaner. If you get a Santa suit to be cleaned, proceed with caution!!
Some suits are extremely well made and wouldn’t pose any issues…Most are not. Take some time to test before you begin.
Is there a care label?
Even if there is a care label, many times, they are inaccurate. If there is no Care Label…Get a release.
The manufacturer will take a core garment, attach the care label, but then add “extras” to the garment. (Such as glued on items, additional trims, etc.)
Inspecting the garment.
Velvet is extremely delicate and problematic to work with. The fabric can be disturbed easily, by pressing, stain removal, water, etc. Know what fabric you are working with, before starting.
Check the cuffs…The white fur on the cuffs, how is it attached? Can it be removed easily?
Does the red sleeve extend into the cuff, on the inside? If so, the chances for dye transfer is probable.
How badly is it stained? Can you spot clean the garment?
Testing the garment.
I would follow the same procedure for Santa suits, as we do for black and white garments that contain spandex.
Place a clean, white towel on the nose of your spotting board.
Place the garment on the towel. On an unexposed area, steam the garment and gently rub, to see if dye is removed. If the dye is stable, you might be able to wet clean on the shortest, most gentle cycle you have.
If dye comes off onto the towel, we need to dry clean.
Place suit in a 100% cotton pillowcase, tie off, clean in a bath for approximately three minutes. Then extract.
It will not bleed to this short of a cycle, but if it does, it will bleed into the pillowcase and not onto itself.
If the garment is relatively clean, but needs to be refreshed, simply place on the Susie with steam and air. Not every garment needs to be subject to a full dry clean/laundry cycle, every time.
If the garment fails…
Let’s say you did everything right, and the garment still failed, and the trim has now turned pink…
Dye stripper (YellowGo) is safe on all fabrics. (Before using YellowGo or any bleach, read the directions, wear gloves and safety glasses).
Remember: When working with fugitive dye bleeds, use a reducing bleach first because using an alkaline soap or oxygen bleach can set the dyes, you are trying to get rid of!!
If the affected areas can be removed, remove and soak just those pieces in dye stripper bath.
If trim pieces cannot be removed, dip the area into the bath. As soon as the fugitive dye has been removed, rinse the fabric well to stop the bleaching action.
Some spotters I know will take a brush and brush on the YellowGo, directly onto the area, then by adding RustGo, flush the dye away.
Many cleaners simply refuse to take in problem garments, sending their customers out to their competitors. Strange, but true.
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.
