TABLE TOP: Pre-spotting table with chemical resistant surface.

I would refer readers to The Removal of Difficult Stains articles which started in the March 2023 issue of LCN.

Equipment

There is a wide variety of spotting tables and cabinets available and while all are capable of doing a good job there are advantages and significant drawbacks It is therefore important that those who are about to invest in a new business or equipment are aware of the specifications that affect production rates and the hands-on process of stain removal.

PRO SET-UP: A fully equipped professional post spotting table.

Inspection and pre-spotting Spotting cabinets

Cabinets combine the examination and pre-spotting procedure with the process of stain removal and at best are a compromise, best suited to production areas with limited space. They are normally equipped with a light, high pressure sprays, a spotting arm and a steam/air gun, vacuum and an air extraction fan facilitating the removal of any vapour from pre-spotting products. investors should be aware of the following practical problems of spotting cabinets.

Spotting cabinet with air extraction.
  • The preparation side of cabinets quickly becomes coated with pre-spotting detergents and soaps which can then be inadvertently transferred to clean items and to the spotting arm.
  • Few cabinets are equipped with a support tray below the spotting arm. Coupled with the small support surface of spotting arms, even with a support tray handling and examining cleaned stained items efficiently is problematic.

A table at least 90 x 122cm with a chemical resistant or stainless steel top is ideal.

Spotting tables

There are a variety of post spotting tables available, basic spotters which are known as cold tables and come with a support tray, vacuum, and an air gun. The best tables are equipped with the following options which are absolutely critical to enable staff to remove stains efficiently and develop the hands on skills and knowledge associated with ttemperature.

  • A steam gun with variable steam volume, is essential for the efficient removal of a wide variety of stains, for feathering out and the removal of dye and colour stains which require the use of a bleach.
  • A sleeve arm with vacuum, these facilitate the flushing out and removal of stains from difficult to access areas such as sleeves and trouser legs.
FEATHER LIGHT; After feathering out with steam, hot air from the steam gun is used to dry damp area on a satin gown.

In some businesses sprays are used for the application of spotting products; but they are mainly used for removing small stains, stains on heat sensitive fabrics, flushing out spotting chemicals and feathering out following the removal of stains on some fabrics such as silk and taffeta.