Spills

30 November 2000




Spill markings

When a dissatisfied customer returns complaining that a garment has marking on it and the customer is certain the marking was not there before cleaning, it is always difficult for the cleaner to explain the problem. This applies especially if the problem is spillage in normal use. Why was the damage not visible when handed in?

Many common household fluids contain components that are powerful enough to damage one or more of the dyes used, although neat gin, perfume and baby bottle steriliser fluid lead the field!

The problem is that it is only when the damaged dyes are flushed clear by drycleaning fluid that the damage can be seen. The cleaner can recognise the problem by the shape, size location and edge characteristics of the mark and has to maintain the customer’s confidence whilst this is explained and justified.

Not in the pink

Problem: After a good quality plain grey wool jacket had been cleaned, an area of pinkish discolouration could be seen on the right front. The owner is certain it was not there before cleaning.

Cause: Examination of the area under ultraviolet reveals no trace at all of any application of stain removal chemicals or pretreatment detergents. The problem here has been caused by an extensive spillage in use, probably of a strong clear alcohol such as gin or vodka. This has caused localised dye damage. The damage is not particularly severe which is why the edges are so blurred, but where the dyes have been affected they have been flushed out by the perc solvent to reveal the problem now seen. The probable reason for the area being pinkish is that it is primarily the blue component of the grey dye recipe that has been lost.

Responsibility: The responsibility is more likely to lie with the wearer in this instance.

Rectification: This would appear to be a prime candidate for airbrush recolouring. A quotation should be obtained.

Blaze away

Problem: A pink and white mark became visible on a black wool blazer following drycleaning.

Cause: Examination of the marking under magnification with good lighting revealed residues of white paint or white typewriter fluid lodged securely into the yarns. The main whiteness has been caused by paint that has not been removed in the drycleaning machine process.

There was nothing visible under ultraviolet light so the marking does not appear to have been treated by the cleaner.

Responsibility: The blame here is far more likely to lie with the wearer as paint splashes are far more likely to have been acquired in everyday use than during the time this coat spent at the cleaners.

Rectification: This coat is a good candidate for airbrush recolouring which might produce an almost invisible repair on this plain background, so making the garment wearable again.

I didn’t spill it

Problem: After a green-blue acetate viscose jacket had been drycleaned, three pink marks became visible. The owner is certain they had not been there before cleaning.

Cause: Examination of this marking under ultraviolet light reveals no trace of stain removal reagents or pretreatment detergents. However, the dyes on this jacket are susceptible to mild oxidation. This sort of fault is revealed if the jacket sustains a mild spillage in normal use. Baby bottle cleansing fluid is a common cause of damage of this type, as is the strong alcohol found in gin or vodka. The problem is very frustrating for the owner because frequently the damage is only revealed when drycleaning flushes out the damaged dyes. Nevertheless this is a problem for the owner; there is nothing wrong with the dyeing or with the cleaning.

Rectification: Professional airbrush recolouring might just be economic, but a quotation should be obtained first.



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