Tip of the Month on Removing Tannin Stains (by Dan Eisen)

Tannin stains are defined as any wetside stain originating from something that grows from the ground, e.g., vegetable. This includes stains such as coffee, tea, juice, liquor, soft drinks, etc. We are taught to use a tannin formula or one long spotting procedure. This may be effective on many tannin stains, but many spotters fail to reach 95 percent and better on tannin stain removal. The fact of the matter is that in order to reach 95 percent successful removal, you must group tannin stains in sub-divisions and change your spotting methods accordingly. The sub-divisions vary in methods used because the composition of the tannin stain is varied.

Pure tannin

Examples: coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks

Chemicals used: acetic acid (28 percent). This acid is used because it is more effective than your prepared tannin formulas.

Oxalic acid. This acid is effective and can be purchased in crystal form. Dilute this 15 parts water to 1 part oxalic or purchase Rustaid which is a Laidlaw product.

Method:

1. Flush.
2. Neutral lubricant. (Laidlaw's neutral lubricant is Tergit)
3. Mechanical action.
4. Flush.
5. Prepared tannin formula.  (Laidlaw's tannin formula is BanTan)
6. Mechanical action.
7. Flush.
8. Acetic acid + neutral lubricant.
9. Mechanical action.
10. Flush.
11. Oxalic acid (Test color).
12. Heat.
13. Flush.
14. Rust remover (Test color).
15. Heat.
16. Flush.
17. Peroxide (3 percent) + ammonia (Test color).
18. Heat.
19. Flush.
20. Acid.
21. Flush.

Tannin plus alcohol

Examples: wine, hard liquor, beer.

Chemical facts: We introduced a general formula 209 which contains alcohol. This chemical is effective in removing tannin stains containing alcohol. This chemical must be tested for its safety on colors. Use General Formula after step 13 (above method) as was used in the Pure Tannin Stain Method.

Tannin and protein

Examples: coffee and milk, tea and milk, eggnog.

Chemical facts: We do not use General Formula in this method since it will set the protein portion of the stain.

Method:

1. Digest. (Laidlaw's digester is RSR)
2. Flush.
3. Neutral lubricant. (Laidlaw's neutral lubricant is Tergit)
4. Mechanical action.
5. Flush.
6. Prepared tannin formula. (Laidlaw's tannin formula is BanTan)
7. Mechanical action.
8. Flush.
9. Acetic acid plus neutral lubricant.
10. Mechanical action.
11. Flush.
12. Oxalic acid.
13. Heat.
14. Flush.
15. Rust remover.
16. Heat.
17. Flush.
18. Ammonia + neutral lubricant.
19. Mechanical action.
20. Flush.
21. Peroxide + ammonia.
22. Heat.
23. Flush.
24. Acid.
25. Flush.

Tannin and dryside

Examples: mustard, ketchup, grass. Although ketchup does not have oil in it’s original composition, the staining usually originates from a food that has oil in it such as meat. Grass stains react best with a dryside process using amyl acetate.

Method:

1. Oily type paint remover and amyl acetate.
2. Mechanical action.
3. Flush with a volatile dry solvent or dryclean.
4. Proceed with the same procedure as you would in the Pure Tannin Stain process.

Tannin, protein and dryside

Examples: chocolate.

Method:

1. Oily type paint remover and amyl acetate.
2. Mechanical action.
3. Flush with volatile dry solvent or dryclean.
4. Proceed using the same method as you would be treating a tannin and protein stain.

Dan Eisen recently retired as chief garment analyst for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association after 33 years with that organization. He writes a column in National Clothesline. 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