Stain Removal Methods Used By Linen Rental Services

By Author: Maria Hatchell
Total Articles: 1
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Biological stains and chemical stains leave health hazardous traces if not removed properly. Linen rental services have learned over time effective stain removal processes that make commonly thrown away linens salvageable for re-use. These treatments remove all traces of the stain leaving a pristine and healthy linen or garment behind.


Blood

When handling blood stains it is important to begin stain removal as soon as possible. Linen rental services will soak the stained material in cold water for at least an hour before transferring to a lukewarm solution of water and enzyme based detergent for another 30 minutes. After the linen has been properly soaked and no traces of blood remain the linen rental service will then launder the item per usual procedure. This remedy is also effective on chocolate and cocoa stains.


Urine

To remove urine stains from linens and garments a linen rental service will apply ethyl alcohol to the stained area allowing it to evaporate after application. After the ethyl alcohol is dried linen rental services will then apply chloroform, ...
... also allowing for evaporation. They will then launder the item per recommended directions. This method is effective for perspiration stains as well.


Iodine

Linen rental services will cover iodine stains with a starch paste allowing the paste time to absorb the iodine completely. The item will then be laundered accordingly.


Chewing Gum

Linen rental services will use a blunt knife to remove as much of the chewing gum as possible before treating. They will then apply ice to the remaining gum for several minutes before submerging the item in ice water for a period of at least 10 minutes. The linen rental service will then launder the item per directions.


Coffee & Tea

Linen rental services will apply a 50/50 solution of borax and water to the stained area before laundering. For large stains, the item will be completely soaked in the borax solution for about 30 minutes before laundering.


Fruit Juice

Linen rental services will launder white fruit juice stained items with bleach and sodium hypochloride. Colored items require a little different treatment; colored fabrics will be soaked in a borax solution for 10 to 15 minutes before laundering.


Ball Point Pen

To remove ball point pen from linens, linen rental services will soak a cotton cloth in denatured spirits and rub on the stain until gone and then launder accordingly.


In Closing

While these remedies are not all of the tricks of the trade, they are the most common stains found throughout the linen rental service industry and usually in personal homes as well. The cleaning products found in these stain treatments can be found in commercial cleaning supply outlets, but an easier way would be to simply rent your linens and let your linen rental service do all of the hard work.

Maria Hatchell is a freelance writer for ImageFIRST, healthcare laundry specialists. To learn more about imageFIRST as a provider of health care uniform and linen rental services, please visit us on the web.