Fault:: The customer splashed a droplet of very rusty water on the front of this coat. The cleaner treated the mark first with a tannin remover to remove vegetable dyes, then with a protein remover and finally with a dry-side, solvent based spotter. However, the stain remained and machine drycleaning did not have any effect.
Cause: Rust marks, whether caused by rusty water or by the haemoglobin in old blood, will not respond to normal stain removers .
Responsibility: If the stain was described as a rust mark when the garment was brought in and the cleaner did not have a rust remover, then he should have issued a disclaimer at that point, as this is the only way to remove these marks.
Rectification: The iron must be converted into iron fluoride using hydrofluoric acid or ammonium bi-fluoride solutions. It can then be safely flushed off the cloth. With this treatment, the mark will be completely removed immediately. However it is important to remove the reagent swiftly because it will quickly rot many fabrics, if it is left in place. Rust marks can usually be post-spotted successfully but pre-testing is still essential.
