ABSTRACT
Stains are local deposits of soiling or discolouration that exhibit some degree of resistance to removal by laundering or dry cleaning, thus creating critical issues in garment care. The presence of stains on a garment makes it dull, stiff and vulnerable to attack by insects. Stain removal is affected by the age, extent and type of stain and the type of fabric. The fibre content, fabric construction and the dye and finish characteristics should be considered before stain removal. Stains can be classified according to their characteristics as water- or solvent-soluble and insoluble. They can also be classified according to the method of removal as protein, tannin stains, oil-based stains, dye stains and combination stains. The most important thing to be considered while dealing with any kind of stains is to prevent them from setting. Once set, the staining material forms a chemical bond with the fabric, which is permanent and hard to remove.
