National Clothesline

A crowd of attendees at the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association’s Expo 2002 show gathered for a lively presentation of common spotting mistakes on Sept. 22.

Mike Achin of the Laidlaw Corporation discussed common sins that occur on the spotting board and outlined “The Ten Commandments For Spotters.”

Achin explained that the first thing drycleaners should realize is that they must practice patience on the spotting board. He advised spotters to try everything they know before putting a “sorry tag” on a garment. He also added that sometimes pride can be a burden to cleaners. “All stains do not come out,” he said.

Other tips Achin delivered were: “Safety to fabric and color must be first in mind” and “Do not mix dry-side and wet-side agents.”

“You have to know what chemicals you’re using and what fabrics you’re using them on,” he emphasized.

He also noted that even though stains may belong to the customers, if you damage the fabric or remove the color, the stain belongs to you. During the spotting process, Achin explained, begin by flushing out the stained area first. Start with the mildest spotting agent, then proceed to stronger ones.

Attack with dry-side agents before wet-side ones in order to avoid accidentally setting the stains with moisture, he added. The same is true of tannins, which should be applied prior to proteins because tannin formulas do not set protein stains.

It is also important not to leave any spotting agents in the fabric, he said, and bleaching should only be considered as a last resort.

Additionally, Achin relayed to the audience that seldom used or hazardous chemicals should not be left on the spotting board; they should be stored at a separate location.

Achin also denounced several “spotting sins” that are quite common in practice, such as trying to flush out oily type paint removers with the steam gun and using perc instead of amyl acetate to test buttons and beads.

Another sin too often committed is that cleaners don’t really know the chemicals they use. “A lot of people don’t have a clue what’s on their spotting board,” he said. “Learn what your chemicals are. It makes a big difference.”

To avoid the improper use of a steam gun, Achin advised testing the temperature cautiously with your hand in order to gage how far the steam gun should be placed from a garment to avoid burning.

Another sin that “burns” Achin up is drying garments in the boiler room. “The boiler room is the hottest place in your plant,” he said. “It’s like playing Russian roulette. Someday you’re going to shrink something.”

Achin also believes it’s a mistake for cleaners to post signs that declare: “Not responsible for... buttons, beads, trim, etc.” because it projects a poor image for cleaners, implying they aren’t willing to be responsible for anything.

Other careless sins include placing garments under the spotting table and eating near the spotting table. Cleaners should try to avoid unnecessary accidents. “Don’t make your job tougher than it has to be,” he said.

A personal pet peeve of Achin’s is the improper use of leveling agents, which often results in rings and redeposition marks. Don’t get careless and throw wet garments into the machine, he noted.

Achin concluded his discussion by saying that the pointy end of the bone scraper is not for digging out stains. “You really should be using the other side,” he said. “Don’t dig it in. Light abrasive action will break up the stain enough.”