Pre-Spotting

IMPORTANT

Before proceeding with spotting and the research of the kind of stain we have to remember these simple rules:

1. Do not spray steam onto the stain if you are not sure of its nature because it can be fixed.
2. Try to pour a little bit of cold water onto the stain to recognize whether the stain is non-greasy or grease.
3. If you don’t understand the kind of stain use always a SPOTTING AGENT for PROTEIN STAINS as FIRST in order to eliminate all fixable parts with the other spotting agents.

NON-OILY STAINS

These stains can be easily removable with water and surfactants. Nevertheless they present difficult substances to remove such as pigments, tannins, sugary components and coloured components. In order to eliminate these elements it is necessary to use the specific spotting agent.
Laundry wash can remove the majority of non-oily stain (with the exception of its pigment part) while dry cleaning can’t eliminate it.

To remove these stains safely it is possible to use: D5 Magre

FAT STAINS

Fat stains are usually composed by triglycerides, synthetic and natural oils or fat acids. Their structure, mainly apolar, makes them hydrophobic. In order to remove them it is necessary to use surfactants or degreasing solvents.

They are easily removed during wash with solvents, while we can find some problems during laundry.
In order to eliminate fat stains during wash it is possible to use a very concentrated pre-treating agent. We have to use a degreasing agent which can remove the fat part and possible associated components.

Tintolav suggests PREZYM. The new BI-ENZYMATIC degreasing pre-treatment. Pre-spotting agent without comparison, active against all kind of stains. We can use also Oxon Foam.

PROTEIN STAINS

Protein stains, also called enzymatic, are composed of proteins. Proteins, if denatured, (change process of the protein structure caused ba an external agent) become insoluble. So proteins can fix irreversibly to the garment and stain it irreparably.

Proteins can be denatured in different ways: very acid pH, heat, chemical oxidation (Sodium hypo chlorite).
In order to avoid this process it is better to start the spotting eliminating the protein part.
After you can use the other spotting agents to remove other components.

In order to remove protein stains it is necessary a spotting agent full of enzymes. For this application Tintolav developed D4 Proteiche, the spotting agent for protein stains. Because it is an enzymatic product in order to remove the stain it is sufficient to apply it and leave enzymes work. Enzymes are catalysts which little by little disintegrate the stain.

BLOOD STAINS

Blood stains are of protein origin. The typical red colour is due to a protein (haemoglobin).This protein, if denatured, is fixed irreversibly onto the garment leaving the red stain forever.

In order to eliminate this stain we suggest to use the spotting agent D4 Proteiche. Then, to hygienize laundry we recommend to use a powerful hygienising such as Hygienfresh® OXON (on white garments it is possible to use also hypo chlorite or hydrogen peroxide)

OXIDISABLE STAINS
Oxidisable stains usually have brilliant colours. The typical colour of these stains changes between red and yellow. The coloured part usually is given by metallic oxides, such as rust, or by coloured chemical photoactive compounds which absorb a specific visible light wave.

Rust stains are originated by the oxidation of iron pieces, that in contact with garment can transfer this oxide. Ferric oxide (Fe2O3) is solubilised by very acid compounds and particular substances.

Tintolav said NO to compounds which derive by fluorine because they are very toxic for the users.
For this reason our laboratories have developed D2 Ruggine.

WINE STAINS
They are included in the oxidisable stain category. The problem of these kind of stains are linked to the colour left onto the garment. This problem is due to the tannins contained in the wine. Indeed tannins were dyes used in the past.
Tannins are composed by different polyphenols developed by plants. These compounds are generated to avoid the attack of some predators and insects.

It is possible to proceed in two different ways:
• In case of garments with very expanded stains it is better to add Hygienfresh Oxon directly into the wash
• In case of localised stains it is possible to use Hygienfresh Oxon foam.

SWEAT AND URINE STAINS
Sweat and urine stains are usually composed by salts released by human body, volatile and non volatile organic compounds (such as Urea, pheromones). The saline component can be eliminated with water but organic components (which create the yellow halo and odour) are difficult to eliminate.
The degradation of pheromones and fat part released during sweating creates the intense sweat odour and yellow halo.

In order to remove these stains we have to use balanced spotting agents which remove both saline part and organic part.
• D1 Sudore → Specific spotting agent for old sweat stains and characteristic odours. Thanks to its formula it is possible to use it even for sauce and chocolate stains.
• Toglisudore → it is excellent for a wide range action. Useful above all for pre-treating of sheets and hospital and community garments etc...

FAT-SOLUBLE STAINS
Fat-soluble stains are stains dissolved thanks to a solvent.
In this category we can find also: ball-point pen, lipstick, wax, dyes stains etc..
Fat-soluble stains are stains not soluble in water (so hydrophobic) for this reason we have to use an appropriate spotting agent which can eliminate the part removable with solvent and the pigmented part that can release colour halos.

Tintolav suggests D3 Vernice: the specific spotting agent for all fat-soluble stains or solvent based stains. Super active spotting agent for the following stains: glue, lipstick, varnish, cosmetics.