Stain Guide For Commercial Laundries

From hospitals and care homes to restaurants and hotels, every industry will encounter its fair share of difficult and stubborn stains. Getting rid of these stains isn’t just a matter of health and safety, but also a matter of business reputation. 

Fighting embedded stains is more than just the right detergent and cycle; there are a few preparatory steps to take to help you deal with them more effectively. 

In this guide, we will examine some of the most common stains and provide effective treatment methods. 

First things first, what is the difference between dirt and a stain?

Dirt: Dirt is defined as loose substances that accumulate on fabrics and typically include things like mud, soil, dust, and sand. Generally, dirt is easier to remove than stains. 

Stains: Stains occur when the presence of certain substances has caused severe discolouration. Some chemicals can cause staining within just a few seconds of coming into contact with fabrics.

Identifying Stains

The first step in learning how to treat a stain is to identify the type of stain. Is it water-based or oil-based? 

Stains such as curry are known as compound stains because they have both oily/greasy and water-soluble components. 

Water-based stains usually have a clearly defined edge. In contrast, stains with a diffuse edge, where there is no clear boundary, are often oil-based. 

Different stain types will react differently when exposed to the same temperature or detergent. 

Grease & Oils

Some foods, makeup, and other beauty products are notorious for leaving oily or greasy stains. These oil-based stains don’t mix well with water, making them more difficult to remove. 

Take the following steps for grease and oil stains:

•    Dab/blot away as much of the stain as possible using paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Do not rub the area, as this can cause the stain to become more ingrained into the fabric. 
•    Add an emulsifier to the stain with a brush. This will enable the chemical to initiate the stain removal process before entering the machine. 
•    Wash the item at the maximum recommended temperature. 

Protein-Based Stains

The most common protein-based stains are those from bodily fluids, including blood, urine, vomit, and sweat. Lovely. 

The molecular structure of proteins means they can easily bind to fabrics if left for too long or exposed directly to heat. 

Take the following steps on protein-based stains:

•    Remove any excess stain quickly and put it on a short, below 40 °C pre-wash cycle. 
•    If the fabric isn’t delicate, using a small amount of stain-removing powder can help lift the stain. 
•    You may need to dab/blot the stain and re-soak the fabric to lift any ingrained marks.
•    Wash the item on the suggested cycle with an enzyme-based biological detergent. 

Mud and Dirt

If your laundry room is located in a boarding school or involves animals, such as a veterinary clinic, kennel, or equine stable, grass, mud, and dirt are likely to be among the most common stains you’ll encounter. These can quickly build up and become ingrained if items are not cleaned regularly. 

Take the following steps for mud and dirt stains:

•    Let the stains dry out completely.
•    Scrape off any excess mud or dirt using a blunt instrument. 
•    Put the item on a pre-wash cycle to help lift the stain.
•    For particularly stubborn marks, repeat the above process or use a stain remover. 
•    Wash the item using the recommended machine cycle and more biological detergent. 

Food & Drink

These are likely to be the most common types of stains. It’s essential to identify the exact food or drink item that caused the stain, as this will determine how you address the stain. 

Take the following steps for each specific food or drink stain:

•    Chocolate and coffee stains should be either soaked or washed quickly to remove them. Stain removal powder can help lift stubborn stains.
•    Milk or cream can be removed by soaking or sponging with a borax solution before washing.
•    Wine or beer stains can be lifted with a solution of white vinegar and warm water, then rinsed in cold water and washed as usual.
•    Sugar-based stains, such as fruit juices or fizzy drinks, can be lifted with cold water soaking before washing.
•    Chewing gum should be solidified by wrapping it in a plastic bag and placing it in the fridge or freezer. It should then break off easily; however, you may need to treat the area with a stain remover afterwards. 

Factors to Consider:

Various factors can influence the effectiveness of a stain removal treatment. 

Time

Has sufficient time been allowed for the reagent to react fully with the stain? Remember, stains do not always respond immediately.

Temperature

Has the steam gun been used to raise the temperature? Would raising the temperature be appropriate? Most chemicals become more reactive as temperature increases, so using a steam gun may help to release the stain, but it also increases the risk of colour loss.

Reagent

Stains often respond only to the appropriate reagent, and if a stain does not respond, it may not have been identified accurately. If this is the case, try using other reagents. 

Fibre / Fabric Type

Some stains may have specific chemical or physical properties that cause them to adhere to particular fabrics. Oil usually responds well to spotting and dry cleaning, but may be difficult or even impossible to remove from a polyester fabric, which has a strong affinity for oil. 

It’s key that clothing, linens, and other fabrics are checked thoroughly before being put in a standard wash cycle with other items. If stained, there’s little point in washing them before treating the stains first; it’s inefficient and wastes resources.