Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Spotting > Spotting Basics > Flashcards

Spotting Basics Flashcards

(74 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Ammonia and Protein Remover are

_________. It may cause _______. However, it won’t _______.

A

alkalis; temporary color change or dye loss on protein fibers (silk, wool, angora); damage the fibers of a garment if used properly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

To test for color bleeding, first _______, second ________, third ________, and then ______.

A

put an unexposed seam of the garment over a white towel; apply the chemical you want to use; blot the area with another towel; check both the bottom and top towels for color.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

To test for color crocking (ie: colors that can rub off) first _____, second ______

A

apply the chemical you want to use to an unexposed seam; rub the area gently with another white cloth. If no color rubs off, rub a little harder to see if any color comes off.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The pH scale determines _________. The scale runs from ________.

A

the acidity or alkalinity of any chemical or stain; 1 to 14. 1 to 6 is considered acidic, with lower numbers being stronger; over 7 to 14 is alkali, with higher numbers being stronger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

A good rule to follow when spotting is to always ______

A

work a on stain with the weakest spotting agent first, moving on to more aggressive agents if some of the stain remains.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Fibers from animals are adversely affected by chemicals with a _______, while fibers from plants are adversely affected by chemicals with _______.

A

alkali pH (ie: protein stain remover, 28% ammonia); acid pH (ie: tannin stain remover, 28% acetic acid). When using such chemicals on these fibers, work quickly and don’t let the chems stay in the fabric too long.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The best way to apply mechanical action to a delicate or sheer fabric such as silk is _______

A

to apply light tamping with a padded brush (or bristle brush wrapped in cloth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How can you reduce the chance of color change when using wetside spotting agents?

A

Apply NSD (Neutral Synthetic Detergent) to the stain first before applying other wetside agents (ie: tannin remover or protein remover)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

After spotting a wetside stain with wetside spotting agents, what should you do BEFORE putting it in the dryclean machine?

A

Dry out the spotted area with the steam gun. Place the area over the vacuum, step on the vacuum and air pedals simultaneously and dry the area, starting from the outside and moving inwards.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

If you come across an old paint stain that doesn’t come out completely with POG, what should you do?

A

Apply some petroleum jelly to the stain. Let it sit for a few hours (or overnight). Apply POG and amyl acetate with mechanical action. If pigment from the paint remains, use a reducing(dye stripping) bleach (bisulfite or hydrosulfite for red/orange paint, titanium sulfate for blue/green)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is an insoluble stain?

A

A stain that cannot be removed with dryside or wetside agents. Examples include dirt and car exhaust.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the process for working on an insoluble stain?

A

Applying OTPR (Pyratex) and mechanical action. For really dug in stains, you can also use mineral oil and mechanical action followed by entering the garment in the dryclean machine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do you remove an old blood stain?

A

Old blood stains will appear either brown or black. First, moisten the stain and apply a digester. Let it set like this for awhile. Then, apply NSD and flush it out with steam. If any stain remains, apply protein remover, mechanical action and flush with steam. Follow this, if necessary, with ammonia. If any stain still remains, apply a mild bleach (3 % hydrogen peroxide for animal fibers and sodium perborate for non-protein).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Before applying a spotting agent, what should you do first?

A

Test the agent on a hidden seam of the garment. Look for any color change, shrinking of the fabric, etc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why are sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate called “Safety Bleaches”?

A

Because their bleaching effectiveness “dies” as the temperature of the water drops. Sodium perborate is the more milder of the two bleaches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the process for completely removing bleaching agents from a garment?

A

First, rinse the garment in water. Then, rinse in water containing some acetic acid. Last, rinse in water again. Doing this neutralizes the alkalis in the bleach.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

If sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate (ie: Oxygen “Safety” Bleaches) fail to completely remove stains from a white garment, you can try _______.

A

using sodium hydrosulfite (aka: reducing bleach). Sodium Hydrosulfite can impart whiteness to a white garment that has dulled or yellowed with age.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

A brown or tan stain with a diffuse outline or cross patterns is likely ________

A

an oxidized (ie: old) oil stain. These are harder to remove compared to an oxidized sugar stain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

A brown or tan stain with a hard/definite outline is likely ________

A

a beverage or oxidized (carmelized) sugar stain. If the outer edges of the stain are darker than the rest of the stain, it’s likely a beverage stain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the two types of drycleaning detergent and how are they different?

A

Cationic and Anionic. Cationic is added to each load of garments entered in the machine, with the amount added based on the total weight of the garments. At the end of the cleaning, the detergent is absorbed by the garments or by the filter.

Anionic is added to the solvent tank in a specified ratio (expressed as a % charge). It helps remove water soluble stains, reduces chances of solvent developing an odor (from bacteria growth), provide additional lubrication in the wheel to help remove insoluble stains and keep zippers from breaking. Also, the detergent suspends soils loosened by perc, preventing the soil from re-depositing on garments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When deciding the best approach to remove a stain, you should consider a number of factors. Name those factors.

A

Fiber content (is it cotton, wool, polyester, etc), how the garment is woven or knit (plain weave, twill, satin etc), intensity and method of dye (is it dye, pigment or a print), and trim (shell buttons, plastic sequins/beads, etc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Stains containing alcohol (ie: perfumes or mixed drinks) as well as sweat can cause problems on protein fibers because ____

A

alcohol and sweat are both alkalis. This means the longer the stain is left on the fabric, the greater the chance of color change or color loss since protein fibers are sensitive to alkalis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is Volatile Dry Solvent (VDS)?

A

A dryside agent. Next to perc, it is the weakest dryside spotter. Removes fresh oil/grease well and helpful in removing old oil/grease or oil/grease not removed by the dryclean machine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

VDS can be used to test ______. Remember, however, that ______

A

plastic buttons, beads, sequins to see if they can withstand drycleaning; VDS is stronger than perc, which means trim that gets sticky from VDS may still be drycleanable on a short cycle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the procedure for removing an oil/grease stain?
Making sure the garment is dry, apply VDS followed by mechanical action (ie: rapid tamping). Apply more VDS, if necessary, followed by more tamping. Then, put the stain over the vacuum and flush out the VDS with perc.
26
When using POG to remove a dryside stain, you should apply ______ first because it ______.
VDS; allows POG to penetrate the fabric more deeply, enhancing stain removal. And, it aids in flushing out the POG later.
27
What precautions should you take with VDS?
Never mix it with alcohol. It can damage surface dyes/prints, pigments and designs., dissolve some fused or bonded fabrics, soften rubber-coated fabrics and faux-leather fabrics. For these reasons, ALWAYS TEST VDS on an unexposed area first.
28
POG is used to remove _____, _____, and ______. It is also used to remove the following stains:
paints, oils, and greases; cosmetic stains, inks, shoe polish, nail polish, waxes, ground-in soils, and some plastics.
29
How is POG different from VDS?
POG is a stronger penetrant and lubricant than VDS. And, unlike VDS, POG can suspend insoluble dyes/pigments and carbons in a stain so they can be flushed away.
30
What is the procedure for using POG to remove a stain?
First, apply VDS. Then, apply POG with tamping using short-rapid strokes that cause the brush to come down firmly and squarely on the stain. When the stains starts breaking up and spreading out, move to the vacuum, and flush out the stain with VDS or perc. Repeat as needed.
31
What precautions should be taken with POG?
As always, test POG before using it on a garment, especially on dyed acetates, coated fabrics and bonded fabrics, flocked prints (looks and feels like suede or velvet) drapes or slipcovers with acrylic backing. Test on any prints or beads/sequins before using. Test for colorfastness, especially on corduroy and velvet since colors can bleed easily when POG is applied.
32
Amyl Acetate is a _______ agent. It is stronger than _____ and ______
dryside spotting agent; VDS and POG.
33
Since Amyl Acetate is stronger than VDS and POG, it can help remove _______. However, Amyl Acetate's strength also means that _______
tough dryside stains that don't dissolve with VDS or POG; it's more aggressive on dyes, surface prints/designs, and trims. That means you should test before using Amyl Acetate and don't allow the agent to have prolonged contact with a stain.
34
Amyl Acetate is helpful in removing plastic-based stains such as ______
nail polish, lacquer, varnish, polyurethane stains , plastic glues/adhesives, White-Out, candle wax, gum, and plastic trim that may have melted on a garment.
35
Amyl Acetate can also be used together with POG to ______
remove heavy paint, ink and adhesive stains.
36
Amyl Acetate evaporates quickly. What can you do to slow evaporation to allow the agent to properly remove a stain?
Apply Amyl Acetate and then apply a drop of POG to slow evaporation.
37
To flush out dryside agents such as POG or Amyl Acetate, what do you use?
Flush them out with VDS or perc at the spotting board. Or, re-clean the garment in the dryclean machine.
38
Take the following precautions with Amyl Acetate:
test the agent before use on surface designs (ie: flocked prints, velvet, metallics, fusible/bonded or coated fabrics (as may be found in drapery backings and slip covers). Test also before applying to plastic, beads, buttons, other trim.
39
There are three wetside agents with neutral pH. Name them.
Water, NSD, Digester.
40
Sometimes, using the steam gun to test for color fastness can cause the dyes to run. Why is that?
Dyes (and sizings) tend to bleed faster in hot water as opposed to cold water. For that reason, if dyes are sensitive to hot water, flush out any wetside agents with cold water.
41
After you finish spotting a garment with wetside agents and flushing out that agent, it's important to ________
dry the spotted area. Otherwise, dye bleeding or transfer may happen.
42
How should you dry areas that have been spotted with wetside agents?
After flushing with water, press down the air and vacuum pedals and start drying from the outside and work your way in. This helps prevent rings.
43
Neutral Synthetic Detergent (NSD) works by ______
lowering the surface tension of fabric, allowing wetside agents to penetrate more deeply and increase stain removal.
44
Before applying NSD to a stain, what must you do?
Wet the stain with some steam.
45
How does a digester work?
It transforms insoluble protein stains (such as an old blood stain that won't dissolve with protein remover) into a water-soluble stain.
46
You can use a digester to remove ________ or _______
difficult to remove protein stains (ie: blood, dairy products, etc); protein stains from fabrics that have dyes sensitive to the alkaline of protein removers (usu. green/blue dyes in silk or wool)
47
There are four factors needed for digesters to work properly. What are they?
1. The area must be free of all spotting agents, wetside or dryside (except for water). 2. The area must be wet with water. 3. Proper water temperature. Most digesters work best when the water is within a certain temperature range. 4. Patience. Digesters need time to work. Try leaving the digester on for at least 15 mins.
48
If you are going to bleach soak a garment, don't use a __________. Instead, soak the garment in a ________.
metal container; a plastic container/bucket.
49
Why should you be wary of using alkaline spotting agents (protein remover, ammonia, sodium perborate) on white fabric?
The alkalinity of those agents usually reacts with the Florescent Whiteners (Optical Brightners) in the fabric, causing the fabric to yellow. If this happens, flush with water, then apply an acidic agent like tannin formula.
50
What is 3% Hydrogen Peroxide?
A medium strength bleaching agent. It is stronger than sodium perborate, weaker than chlorine bleach and acidic in nature. It's best used to remove the last traces of a stain on protein fibers (wool, angora, cashmere) as well as fabrics with alkali-sensitive Optical Brightners.
51
Sodium perborate and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide are safe ________, but may cause ________.
on all fabrics; color loss. Fortunately, both these bleaching agents work slowly, so any color loss will appear gradually.
52
Like sodium perborate, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide can remove the last traces of _______. However, it can also help remove ________ and can ______
all soft drink stains, fruit juices, mixed drinks or coffee and tea; sweat and urine stains, as well as blood and mustard; be used to whiten yellowed garments.
53
You should NEVER USE ________ to increase the bleaching power of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Instead, use only ________.
ammonia; heat
54
Unlike sodium perborate and 3% hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite (aka Chlorine Bleach) isn't _______. In fact, you should never use Chlorine Bleach on ____, ___, and _____.
safe on all fabrics; silk, wool, and nylon. Applying chlorine bleach to these fabrics will cause yellowing and weakening of the fibers.
55
If there is slight yellowing on a fabric from a light concentration of chlorine bleach, how can it fixed?
Flush the area with water. Then apply a reducing bleach (sodium bisulfite or sodium hydrosulfite). This may fix the problem, but no guarantee.
56
After using chlorine bleach to remove a stain, what should you do?
First, flush the area with steam. Then, apply an anti-chlor to neutralize the bleach. You can use sodium bisulfite (reducing bleach).
57
If Chlorine Bleach causes the fabric to yellow, how can you fix it?
The bleach has likely reacted with a resin applied to the fabric. To fix, apply sodium bisulfite (a reducing bleach and anti-chlor) and a drop of 28% acetic acid).
58
How can one remove mildew from a garment?
If the garment is not made of silk, wool, or nylon, use a chlorine bleach bath. The chlorine will deodorize, de-color, and kill mildew. If the garment is made of silk, wool, or nylon, try bleaching in 3% hydrogen peroxide. However, hydrogen peroxide will only work temporarily.
59
Why is it usually easier to get an ink stain out of silk compared to cotton?
Cotton absorbs the ink more deeply into its fibers, making it harder to remove in spotting.
60
Why are sweat stains virtually impossible to completely remove?
If the sweat has yellowed the fabric, that's a sign that it is old and the older a stain is the harder to remove. Also, sweat stains mixed with anti-perspirant will make removal impossible since the chemicals in the anti-perspirant will mix with the sweat and fuse on to the fabric.
61
Fresh sweat is easy to remove with ______ and _____.
NSD and steam
62
Fresh sweat is ______ but turns _____ as it ages. That's why sweat stains can often cause _______.
acidic; alkaline; color changes.
63
Describe what Volatile Dry Spotter (VDS) is.
Dryside agent. It can be flushed out during dry cleaning. Evaporates quickly and is quick-penetrating. (aids in touch-up spotting to avoid recleans). Can remove fresh oil/grease well and helps in removal of old oxidized oils. Effective in removing many glues, waxes and adhesives. But more aggressive on dyes/prints than perc. Can also be used to test plastic buttons, beading for safety in dry cleaning.
64
VDS or perc can be used as a ________ for POG. This means ________
wetting agent; it allows the POG to better penetrate a stain and aid in flushing out the POG later.
65
Paint, Oil, and Grease Removers are also known as _______. It contains a mix or _______, _____ , and _______. If not flushed out prior to dry cleaning, POG can _____. POG is great at ______
Oily-Type Paint Remover (OTPR); penetrants (much stronger than VDS), lubricants, and suspending agents; serious dye and color loss; holding insoluble dyes/pigments and carbon stains in suspension so they can be removed.
66
POG can remove a variety of paints, oils, and greases. It can also remove ________. Before first applying POG to a stain, apply ________.
some cosmetics and inks, shoe polish, nail polish, waxes, and ground-in soil, and some plastics; VDS, as it can help POG penetrate a stain better and make flushing out the POG afterwards easier.
67
What should you be wary of with silk?
It's damaged by sunlight, sweat, salt water, strong alkalis and chlorine bleach. Alcohol, such as found in cologne or perfume, bleeds dye. Protein remover and ammonia can cause yellowing, color loss and/or color change. Often has dyes that are water soluble and solvent soluble. May have florescent brighteners, which can yellow from light exposure and long contact with protein remover.
68
Wool can be damaged by ______. And shrinkage can happen with _______, _____, and ______.
strong alkalis and chlorine bleach; heat, moisture and mechanical action can cause permanent shrinkage.
69
While wool is often dry cleaned, it can also be ________ and ________ as well as have ______ applied.
wet cleaned and air dried; digesters applied. This wet cleaning ability comes in handy for removing wetside stains.
70
When using the spotting brush to tamp a stain, use ______ and always work over a ______ but make sure you only use _____ and always tamp over ______.
light, rapid tamping with short strokes; puddle of liquid; just enough spotting chemical as needed; a solid surface (ie: not over a towel or over the vacuum screen)
71
You should pre-spot stains that can become set with ____. These include _______. You should also pre-spot stains that contain _______
heat; beverage stains, fruit juice stains, and stains containing sugar;; insoluble pigments/dyes, which can't be removed in the dry cleaning machine.
72
Oftentimes, small oil grease, cosmetic stains, and wax stains are removed easily in _______
dry cleaning alone.
73
Don't allow dryside agents (ie: VDS, amyl acetate, POG) to remain too long on ______
surface prints/designs or deep colors.
74
Fresh water-based paint stains can be removed with ______. Once the paint dries, however, you should treat it as an _____
NSD and tamping; oil-based stain (dryside stain).

Spotting (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions