SPOTS

CONTAINS & APPEARS

SOLUTION

BEER

Hops, malts, alcohol, albumin, tannin.

Colorless to light yellow, slightly stiff.

1. Apply detergent solution and blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot frequently. 3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

BLOOD

Albumin, fat, librin, iron

Reddish when fresh, dries to a dark brown with irregular edge.

1. Apply cool detergent sol, blot. 2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. 5. If spot remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.

BUTTER &MARGARINE

Vegetable dye, corn oil, milk, salt, preservatives, vegetable fats.

Greasy, yellowish-red, sometimes built-up.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

CANDLE WAX

Petroleum, animal fats and oils, vegetable fats and oils, basic dyes.

Stiff and built-up.

1, Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife. 2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 3. Apply POG, blot. 4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

CATSUP &TOMATO SAUCE

Tomatoes, salt, sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onions.

Reddish-brown, absorbed and built-up.

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4. If spot remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

CHEWING GUM

Chicle flavoring, sugar.

Grayish or pink, rubbery, sticky, built-up.

1. Harden gum with an ice-cube until it is brittle enough to scrape off with a dull knife or spatula. 2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent to remove remaining traces. OR use a commercial chewing gum remover. Blot.

CHOCOLATE

Oil, grease, cocoa, butter, coloring, sugar, milk.

Brown with irregular edge, absorbed or built-up.

1. Scrape off as much as possible with a spatula or dull knife. 2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 6. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.

COCKTAILS

Alcohol, tannin, sugar.

Colorless or light brown, absorbed.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

COFFEE

Tannins, sugar, fatty acids, alcohol, oils, milk, cream.

Brown with irregular edge, darkening with heat and age.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot (Use enzyme detergent if cream was present). 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4. Rinse with water, blot until dry. *Ammonia will set stains on wool and silk but may help in removal from other fabrics.

COUGH SYRUP

Honey, sugar, syrup, menthol, alcohol, flavoring, coloring matter.

Usually absorbed with an irregular edge, sticky when wet, stiff when dry.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

CRAYONS

Wax, grease, pigment, coloring matter.

Built-up, sometimes shiny.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

EGG

Albumin, oils, fats, coloring matter.

White and/or yellow, built-up, coagulates with heat.

1. Blot up as much as possible. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. Apply cold ammonia solution, blot. 4. If stain remains, apply enzyme detergent, blot. 5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

FOOD COLORING

Coloring matter, propylene glycol.

Absorbed irregular edge.

1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried spot will probably spread when wet. 2. Repeat step 1 until color is no longer transferred to the towel. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.

FRUIT JUICE

Tannin, acids, pulp, sugar, coloring matter.

Light yellow or characteristic color of fruit, absorbed and splotchy with irregular edge.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4. Rinse with water, blot until dry. 5. If spot remains, apply enzyme detergent, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

FURNITURE STAINS

Petroleum distillate, coloring matter.

Brownish or reddish, absorbed, with irregular edge.

1. Apply dry-clean-ing solvent. Blot 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Rinse with water and blot until dry. *This spot is almost impossible to remove completely.

GLUE (School)

Starches, gelatins, albumin.

Stiff and shiny, usually built-up.

1. Apply water, blot. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. If spot remains, heat the detergent solution slightly and repeat step 2. 4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

GRASS

Tannin, acids, oils, chlorophyll.

Green and/or brown smudges.

1. Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot. 2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot. 4. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 5. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry. *Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

GRAVY

Meat extracts, starch, proteins, milk, flour, seasoning.

Brownish, absorbed and built-up.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

GREASES

Tannin, acids, oils, chlorophyll.

Green and /or brown smudges.

1. Apply amyl acetate if available to remove chlorophyll, blot. 2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot. 4. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 5. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry. *Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

ICE CREAM

Cream, milk, egg, sugar, fruits, extracts, coloring matter.

Absorbed and built-up, stiff when dry.

1.Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 5. Apply small amt of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol. Use small amts to prevent poss damage to sizing, etc. * NOT GAS-OLINE LIGHTER FLUID, etc. 6. Blot until dry -weight down-allow to dry at least 6 hours.

INK (Ballpoint)

Basic or soluble aniline dyes, insoluble organic solvents, oils resins, gums, binding agents such as shellac, varnish or petroleum.

Can be any color, usually blue, absorbed.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply amyl acetate if available, or acetone (except on acetate fibers), blot. 5. If spot remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution. 6. Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

INK ( India )

Pigment (carbon black) dispersed in water with binder.

Absorbed, usually black.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

JAM & JELLY

Pulp of fruit, sugar, tannin preservatives.

Reddish or bluish, absorbed and built-up.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot. 4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

LIPSTICK

Pigment or dye in fat, waxes and oils.

Red, pink, orange, soft and greasy.

1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife. 2. Apply POG, blot, make sure not to reapply spot onto fabric. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply detergent, blot. 5. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 6. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 7. Rinse with water, blot until dry. *Try to avoid wet cleaning on wool. Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible.

MILDEW

Grayish or brownish fungus with black spots.

*May permanently damage fibers.

1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot. 4. Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate) *Do NOT use chlorine bleach on wool or silk. Blot. 5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

MILK

Fats, albumin, water.

Usually white, sometimes lighter in center with heavier buildup around edges.

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 4.Rinse with water, blot until dry. 5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry. 7. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

MUCILAGE

Albumin, animal proteins and gums.

Either built-up or slightly absorbed, stiff with an irregular edge when dry.

1. Apply hot enzyme detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

MUD

Soil with greases and oils, clay, iron.

Grayish, brownish, or yellowish, absorbed and built-up.

1. Brush or scrape off as much as possible. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. 5. If spot remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

MUSTARD

Mustard seed, vinegar, salt, turmeric, oils, spices, flavorings.

Yellowish, absorbed or built-up.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 4. If spot remains, rust remover (oxalic acid solution) or bleaching may be necessary. *Do NOT use ammonia or alkalis.

NAIL POLISH

Red dye or pigment in a liquid cellulose acetate base, solvent, plasticizer.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply amyl acetate if available, or nail polish remover - PRETEST FIRST. 4. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry. 5. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 6. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

OILS

Petroleum distillate or vegetable oil, polyglycerides, methyl silicate, preservatives.

Circular, elongated or cross-shaped, darkening with age.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Alternate dry-cleaning solvent and POG, blotting frequently. 4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 6. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

PAINT (Oil)

Pigments, drying oils, resins, gums, volatile solvents.

Usually built-up and stiff.

*Check label on paint for specific thinner or solvent OR

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Alternate steps 2 and 3 until spot is removed. 5. If spot persists, weight down the spot with towels dampened with dry-cleaning solvent for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent. 6. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the spot, blot. 7. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 8. Alternate steps 2, 3, and 6 until spot is removed. 9. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

PAINT (Water)

Water, latex, pigments, emulsifiers, preservatives.

Absorbed or built-up, stiff when dry.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Rinse with water, blot until dry. 4. Apply POG, blot. 5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

RUBBER CEMENT

Rubber (synthetic or natural), resin, solvent.

White or clear, built-up, possibly sticky or shiny.

1. Roll the glue off if it has hardened sufficiently. 2.Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 3. Apply POG, blot. 4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 5. Apply detergent solution, blot. 6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

RUST

Oxides of iron.

Reddish-brown, absorbed or built-up.

1. Apply rust remover or warm oxalic acid solution. 2. Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes. 3. Repeat with hot solution. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

SHOE POLISH

Waxes, resins, solvents, dyes, shellac, alcohol, tannin.

Usually black or brown, absorbed or built-up.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. 7. If spot persists, bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

SOFT DRINKS

Tannin, sugar, vegetable coloring, flavoring, fruit extracts.

Colorless, yellowish, reddish, or brownish, darkening with age.

1. Apply cold detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

SOOT

Carbon, sulphur compounds, sometimes grease.

Black spots or smudges.

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

TAR & ASPHALT

Coal tar or petroleum, sulphur compounds.

Black, shiny, built-up or absorbed, distinctive odor.

1. Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife. 2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent. Apply POG, blot. 3. Apply detergent solution, blot. 4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

TOOTH-PASTE

Soap, bleaching compound, flavoring, fluoride compound.

Whitish or greenish, absorbed and built-up.

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

URINE (Wet) FRESH

Urea, uric acid ammonia, organic acids, pigments, cholesterol, albumin, proteoses.

1. Blot up as much as possible. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

URINE (Dry) OLD

Urea, uric acid ammonia, organic acids, pigments, cholesterol, albumin, proteoses.

1. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 2. Apply detergent solution, blot. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until spot is removed. 4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry. 5. If spot remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution. 6. Bleaching with hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary. *Urine spots may cause permanent dye removal from fibers.

VOMIT

Food, mucus, albumin, acids.

Various colors, absorbed and built-up.

1. Blot up as much as possible. 2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

WINE

Alcohol, sugar, tannin, coloring matter.

Reddish or purplish, absorbed.

*If wet still and a red wine: Neutralize pH by applying same amt white wine and proceed with the following: 1. Apply detergent solution, blot. 2. Apply vinegar solution, blot. 3. Apply ammonia solution, blot. 4. If nec, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate. 5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.