Drycleaning chemicals

Getting the best from drycleaning chemicals

1 May 2011



Suppliers talk to Janet Taylor about the role that the various chemical additives play in the drycleaning process and the sources of advice and information available to drycleaners to help them to get the best performance from these products and use them safely


The drycleaning process is a solvent-based cleaning system but to get the best results drycleaners will also use additional chemicals that assist the solvent in removing dirt or soiling and/or improve the finished result.

Chemicals are available for several specific tasks but the core product here is the detergent.

Both the detergent and the other additional chemicals used will generally be formulated to work with a specific solvent class and the suppliers will have products to suit both perc and the various alternative systems such as hydrocarbon, cyclosiloxanes and wetcleaning.

Detergents can make a contribution to the cleaning process and can also affect the finished results. Richard Cole, managing director of manufacturer Cole & Wilson, says that a main objective for all products designed for cleaning or stain removal is to carry water to the fabric, remove water-based stains and stop redeposition of dirt.

Jörg Schwerdtfeger at the German manufacturer Büfa explains that there are two main compounds used in detergents, anionic and cationic.

Anionic compounds have a much greater cleaning power and can hold much more water while cationic compounds provide antistatic properties and improve the textile’s finish.

So both compounds will often be combined in one detergent.

Modern detergents will also be formulated to absorb odour, make ironing easier, add a pleasant scent and ensure the textiles have the right feel.

Hemant Zavery, technical consultant at Seitz, points out that all detergents have generic features. These include an anti-static function, an ability to boost cleaning power, giving the finished garment a pleasant fragrance and an ability to restore the fabric’s texture.

Zavery adds that during the cleaning process, the chemicals will react with the textile to make it cleaner, vibrant in appearance and to give a good handle.

Cole at Cole and Wilson points out that the chemicals in daily use will include not only a detergent but also a pre-spotter and stain removers.

The pre-spotter, sometimes referred to as pre-brushing agent, is applied to heavily-soiled areas before the garment or textile goes into the machine.

Stain removers cope with specific stain classifications and may sometimes be used after the machine process.

The relationship that a cleaner develops with the chemicals supplier is a critical one.

Alex Reid is the exclusive distributor for all Kreussler products in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Operations director Andrew Lambert stresses the company’s ability to offer a full technical service to back-up its products and support its customers. The company can help customers to get the best from the products it supplies.

As managing director Darren Walker pointed out when interviewed by LCN recently, the company has an experienced and skilled technical team led by Steve Tolley, who has been in the drycleaning industry for many years and whose role includes training.

When necessary a technician will visit the customer to discuss specific problems but in addition free technical help is always available over the phone or via e-mail. Information is also provided on the web and in the company’s brochures.

Schwerdtfeger at Büfa sees the relationship between cleaner and chemical supplier as crucial to maintaining good quality in the drycleaning industry, so helping to improve the image of the industry as a whole.

While modern products combined with the right procedure will clean most textiles, technical knowledge and expertise are essential. Cleaners need up-to-date information on topics such as the different fabrics on the market and developments in drycleaning technologies. This is where the supplier can help.

Büfa provides its customers with a variety of information. It holds seminars and practical training sessions where the aim is to pass on as much of its knowledge as possible. The company sees its educational role as part of its marketing strategy.

Cole at Cole & Wilson also stresses the importance of providing technical back-up and says this is always available to ensure that the company’s products are used correctly and achieve the best results. For example, he says that regular checks on the doser to make sure that it is pumping the correct amount of chemicals into the machine will help to keep standards high and costs low.

A drycleaner’s customers will expect stains to be removed and the company supplies detailed charts on this process and will also offer individual advice on removing stubborn stains.

Zavery at Seitz says that his knowledge of the drycleaning industry covers both the technical and practical aspects of the process and in this way the company can help drycleaners to give customers a high standard of service.

This will include phone and personal advice and he can arrange training, which may include instruction on specialised techniques and advice on using more specialised products to deal with delicate fabrics or heavily-soiled garments.

The supplier’s educational role is especially valuable for those that are starting a drycleaning business or who are relatively new to the industry.

Safety first

Chemicals can be hazardous if used incorrectly and therefore safety information is essential.

Lambert at Alex Reid advises that the main source of safety information is the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), which provides detailed information on a chemical product’s properties.

This can be used as the first step in training staff in safe procedures.

Cleaners should also read the technical leaflet before using the products.

The company advises newcomers that the most commonly used chemicals will be detergents, general pre-brushing agents and a stain removing kit.

The technical leaflet that accompanies the detergent will advise on correct concentrations while stain removal charts will show how the kit products should be used successfully and safely.

Lambert also says that in addition to those chemicals for regular use, a drycleaner should have a product for neutralising and maintaining solvents. Any business that cleans leather on site should have a product for re-oiling the leather.

Schwerdtfeger agrees on the importance of making sure that drycleaners know how to use products safely.

Both new and established customers will receive a safety briefing on Büfa’s chemicals and this, in conjunction with the MSDS, should give a good overview of the risks involved in using chemicals.

If a cleaner then has any specific questions about using a product, the company will provide additional advice. He explains that in addition to the solvent, a drycleaning shop will need at least a detergent for the machine, a pre-brushing agent, a set of spotters and a neutralising agent to keep the solvent in good order. This group of additional chemicals will allow the cleaner to provide a satisfactory result .

Additionally the company can provide a variety of specialist additives that can boost performance in specific tasks.

Such products include leather oil, leather dyes, sizing and softeners. While they are non-hazardous customers are always advised to be careful about using any additive.

The most recent introduction to Büfa’s specialist range is the Lotus series of water-proofing and stain-repellentproducts. These are sprayed from inside the machine directly onto the garments.

At Seitz, Zavery says that the company will advise newcomers individually on the chemicals needed. Generally these will include spotters, pre-brushing agents, and products for use in the pre-wash and main wash.

An MSDS and instructions for use are supplied for all products and the company stresses the importance of following safety guidelines. It can supply products for use with all solvents, including perc and alternative solvents, and for wetcleaning.

Cole & Wilson advises that on a daily basis a drycleaner will use a general pre-spotter, a detergent plus four or five specific stain removers for dealing with the most commonly occurring stains.

However, Richard Cole says that some products will prove invaluable even though they may be used less frequently. Bactericides will keep the solvent fresh while deodorisers will remove unwanted smells such as those left by smoke damage.

Products such as water- or stain-repellants may only be used rarely but they can solve a problem or allow the business to extend its range of services. Leather oil is another product that falls into this category.

Cole & Wilson manufactures a full range of chemicals to assist in the cleaning and finishing processes and covers the different solvent types including perc, hydrocarbon, cyclosiloxanes and carbon dioxide.

Detergents include Sultrapron EU, which is described as an economic detergent that can be used both in the machine and for pre-spotting. It gives clothes a crisp finish and a pleasant scent.

For a specific pre-spotting product the company suggests its Prespotter P which can be used neat or diluted with an equal measure of water.

Sultrasoft products, which include an HC version for hydrocarbon, are concentrated cationic detergents that combine cleaning, finishing, anti-static, anti-greying and deodorising properties. Sultrasoft HC2 is a concentrated detergent combining bacetericidal and anti-static properties.

Specialist products include Cleaner IA, a mild spotter designed specifically for removing stains from sensitive fabrics.

At Expo Detergo 2010 Büfa introduced several developments including the Lotus series of water-proofing and stain-repellent products, which are designed for use with all the main organic solvents and also in water.

In developing the Lotus range the company was able to reduce the level of fluorocarbon resins, making it environmentally friendly while also improving the performance.

In addition, the company has plans to introduce a further development in detergents for use with perc. Secapur Mega Plus features improved anti-static, odour absorption and finishing properties.

From Alex Reid’s point of view the latest development is the K4 drycleaning system, which Kreussler launched at the Milan show. This is based on a halogen-free solvent that has a cleaning power comparable to that of perc but at the same time is environmentally friendly and has not been classified in Europe as either a hazardous material or hazardous substance.

It is biodegradeable and has been dermatologically tested with good results.

As well as the Solvon K4 solvent the system includes the Clip K4 detergent, the Prenett K4 pre-brushing agent and the Vinoy K4 water and stain repellent.

A K4 machine has been developed by Firbimatic/Union.

The system has been extensively tested in Europe and the USA and Alex Reid is seeking a UK trial site, which it hopes to have in place in the near future.

Seitz highlights two particular products from its range.

EnviClin touch is a cationic detergent that is biodegradable. It is said to produce excellent cleaning results while minimising the dose needed, which reduces distillation sludge. It is also designed to prevent electrostatic charges.

The use of Polysol Odosorb pre-brusher and Preclin Odosorb in the pre-wash will ensure good results on heavily-soiled garments.

Easy Soft is a detergent and finishing agent which combines cationic and non-ionic surfactants and additives to improve the feel of garments. Its “fresh” system removes odours and gives the garments a pleasant scent.




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