Stain Removal
Types of Stains
- Ink can be a challenging stain. Removal is best accomplished when the stain is fresh. We treat ink with the latest techniques and chemicals in order to secure limited color loss and potential damage to skins. No method can guarantee complete removal, but we are very confident in our ability to improve most spots.
- Beverage Spills can be safely removed using our process. We carefully treat the affected areas with several remedies. In most cases, we are successful, but factors like time and heat may set the stains.
- Food particulars are treated in the same manner as beverage spills are treated in the same manner as beverage spills. Knowing what the content of the stain is very helpful. Addressing the stain in a timely fashion is essential.
- Alcohol is present in a variety of stains including perfume, cologne, and beverage stains. We use a special chemical that neutralizes alcohol. Color loss may occur, but we use caution to treat these types of spots.
- Grease removal is approached using a series of chemicals. We start with a mild detergent and some agitation to loosen the stain. In most cases this will remove grease. For more stubborn stains, we add some stronger chemicals to further remove stain. Heat and time affect the success rate for complete removal.
- Make-up can usually be removed with soapy water and a little scrubbing. The same technique that works on a person's face usually helps. Heavier amounts of make-up may require more grease removing chemicals. Lipstick is a tough one. It contains Grease and Dye that may require the same techniques fo ink removal.
- Glue stains are often removes using a chemical spectrum from mineral spirits to lacquer thinner. Type of glue varies tremendously. The remedy for super-glue is usually acetone or finger nail polish remover. Special precautions should be taken with acetone. It generally pulls color and damages some linings.
- Oxidation and Sun fade are chemical reactions that occur when a garment is exposed to atmospheric conditions. They may be helped during the cleaning process, but may not be fully corrected.
- Blood may be removed when handled in a timely fashion. Complete removal may not be possible if the stain has a chance to set in.
- Paint comes in several different formulas. Latex paint is treated in a different manner than Oil paint. Both forms may present problems for our spotting system if they are not treated in a timely manner. Full correction may be obtained on smooth leather by refinishing with our custom match leather finish.
- Dye Bleed or Fade is a tough situation. The conditions that cause dyes to transfer cannot be fully eliminated during cleaning. Every precaution is taken to ensure that conditions will not worsen. We can sometimes remove dye transfers, but no process works in every situation.
- Rust is hard to handle on leather and suede. Most chemicals that neutralize rust are unsafe to use on leather. We are limited to agitation and mild detergents to safely remove this type of stain.
- Soil is removed in most cases using pre-spotters to loosen soil. The agitation and detergents in our cleaning process will remove most soil, but safe removal of ground in dirt is not always possible.
- Mildew and Water stains are neutralized in our cleaning system by combining special odor chemicals and Ozone technology. Mildew may be neutralized by chlorine bleach. There are NO safe circumstances for using bleach on leather items. Hurricane Katrina ripped through our area in 2005. We cleaned more mildew and water damage with an extremely high success rate. (about 95%)--- The earlier this situation is handled, the better the chance for full restoration.
- Fire and Smoke are eliminated in our state of the art Ozone Chamber. In addition,we use chemical deodorizers to fully restore damaged garments.
- Tobacco Odors are hard to remove. A house fire is a one-time event. Tobacco odors are absorbed over a long period of time. We use Ozone technology and chemical deodorizers to help the situation, but 100% removal is not always possible.
- Urine stains are difficult to neutralize, especially cat urine. Cat urine has some strong chemicals that can linger, even after being cleaned several times. The longer urine is allowed to sit in a garment, the worse the situation may become.
- Safe removal of stains is our goal in cleaning leather and suede. No method or process can guarantee 100% removal, but our years of experience have provided much success on even the most stubborn stains. We apply leather and suede sprays and dyes which often improve or hide the stain that may not be fully removed.
