Cleaning up after the storms
lorida suffered four devastating hurricanes this
season producing extensive damage to both property and
garments. Cleaners in Florida and other areas are swamped with
water-damaged garments. Museums have called me in to examine
their water damaged textiles for correction of water damage and
mildew.
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One of the museums I went to was the
Elliott Museum located on Hutchison Island, FL. The cleaning of
mildew and other water damage requires using correct solvents
and proper wetcleaning procedures.
Mildew stain removal
Mildew is a fungus growth of
vegetable-like structure which forms in the presence of warmth,
dampness and lack of fresh air. Mildew appears as a stain in
many colors. Most common colors are brown, tan, yellow and
black. The stain is characterized by an unpleasant and musty
smell. When mildew is caught in time and just on the surface of
the fabric, it can usually be corrected. When left in the
fabric for a long period of time the fabric will eventually
deteriorate.
Water damaged garments brought into your
store
When garments are brought to you with
mildew, you should bring them outside the store and brush them.
Never brush mildewed garments inside the store because the
mildew spores will spread causing an unhealthy environment.
Drycleaning (perchloroethylene)
Mildew-infested garments should be
drycleaned with perchloroethylene solvent. The other
alternative solvents do not destroy the mildew spores as well.
Wetcleaning
When mildew has not penetrated the fiber,
a routine wetcleaning will usually remove the mildew. Use the
hottest water temperature possible.
The use of oxygen bleaches such as sodium
perborate or sodium percarbonate are also effective. When
drying use the highest drying temperature allowed.
Bleaching
When mildew has penetrated the fiber
causing heavy staining, the most effective bleach for removal
is sodium hypochlorite or household bleach.
Procedure (board method)
Put 10 drops of chlorine bleach in the 6-
or 8-ounce spotting bottle and fill with water.
Use with an eye dropper or q-tip.
Heat with feather of steam.
Steam gun flush.
Apply any acid with a lubricant to remove
last traces of bleach. The acid causes the bleach to accelerate
and decompose.
Procedure (bath method)
Use 1Ž4 ounce of bleach per gallon of
water.
Add a synthetic detergent.
Soak 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse.
Use an acid (oxalic or acetic). Use 1
ounce per gallon of water with a synthetic detergent.
Caution using hypochlorite
Cannot be used on wool and silk.
Cannot be used with ammonia.
Usually not safe to colored fabrics.
After rinsing, it must be given an acid
bath or an antichlor (reducing bleach).
Mildew removal for wool and silk
The most effective bleach for mildew on
animal fibers is potassium permanganate.
Procedure (board method)
Use q-tip or eye dropper when applying to
stain.
Heat with steam gun.
Flush.
Remove last traces with any of the
following:
• Hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid.
• Oxalic acid.
• Sodium hydrosulfite.
• Add neutral lubricant and flush
with steam gun thoroughly.
Procedure (bath method)
Dissolve bleach in water. Determine
concentration by the intensity of color. For example, a dark
colored water solution would be stronger than a lightly tinted
water solution.
Add 1Ž2 ounce synthetic detergent per
gallon of water.
Soak up until 10 minutes.
Rinse.
Remove last traces by making up a bath of
peroxide and acetic acid or sodium hydrosulfite.
Caution
Strong oxidizing bleach.
Comes in purple crystals or found in
liquid form in some ink removers.
Must be tested.
Forms a brown discoloration after using.
Last residue can be removed chemically
(see board method).
Dan Eisen recently retired as chief
garment analyst for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association after
33 years with that organization. He is available for seminars,
consultations and independent garment analysis. He also has
published a book, “The Art of Spotting,” which is
an indexed compilation of articles he wrote for National
Clothesline and NCA over the past three decades. He can be
reached at (772) 340-0909. His address is 274 NW Toscane Trail,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986. His e-mail address is cleandan@adelphia.net.
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