Chloride Salt Damage Chemical Facts Chloride salts are found in a number of substances encountered in wear. A high percentage of chloride salts are found in perspiration, antiperspirants, perfumes, colognes and after shave lotion. Chloride salts are also found in most foods and beverages. Any type of fabric can become damaged from its contact with chloride salts.
Fabric Problems Chloride salts, when left on a fabric, can bleed dyes, slowly discolor and eventually deteriorate a fabric. When chloride salts are mixed with alcohol, such as in colognes, perfumes, after shave lotion and hard drinks the damage to the fabric can occur more readily. Damage at the time of contact may not be noticeable but exposure to moisture in the atmosphere activates the chloride salts resulting in a discoloration and, eventually, deterioration of the fabric. Drycleaning, pressing and the heat necessarily used in these processes will accelerate the action of the chloride salts which has stained the fabric. Chloride salts can affect any fiber but will most readily damage silk.
Inspection Examine garments carefully at the counter for staining, bleeding and discolorations from possible chloride salt damage. Silk garments should be examined extra carefully. Check collar, underarm, back and waistline area for staining from perspiration, deodorants, colognes, etc. Check other areas of garment for stains from food and beverage. All staining should be marked with a tape or sticker and hung on the side for prespotting. Chloride salts are not removed in drycleaning but only by the use of wetside spotting. Point out any staining or discoloration to customer. Note damages on sale slip and process only with customers written permission.
Drycleaning Dryclean according to fabric, weave construction and trimming. Chloride salts should be prespotted before drycleaning. The heat of drycleaning can accelerate chloride salt damage.
WetcleaningUse the wetcleaning process according to color, fabric, weave and fiber content. Chemicals used for wetcleaning must be carefully rinsed from the fabric. When neutralizing bleach, acid or alkali, a last rinse must be used to remove chemicals. A sour should not be left in the fabric under any circumstance. Mild oxidizing bleach, such as sodium perborate, is often useful for removing excessive yellowing from perspiration and other chloride salts staining. If stained area has been degraded by chloride salts, even mild bleaches can cause further deterioration. Get customer release before bath bleaching or extensive spotting.
Spotting All silk garments should be flushed with water in the underarm area even if staining is not visible. Use a water gun or hold steam gun 6” from the fabric. The heat of the steam gun can accelerate chloride salts if held too close to the fabric. Use a levelling agent on wet area. Hang to dry and then dryclean. When attempting routine spotting on tannin and protein stains, chemicals must be thoroughly flushed and rinsed from fabrics. Acids (tannin formula, oxalic acid, general formula, rust remover) and alkali (protein formula, ammonia, neutralizer or rust remover) can result in chloride salt when used together. Hydrogen Peroxide and ammonia is often useful for removing last traces of yellowing from chloride salts. It must however, be carefully tested.
Finishing Routine according to fabric and fiber content.
Summary Chloride salts are found in perspiration, deodorants, perfumes and colognes. Many foods and beverages also contain chloride salts. When left on a fabric for a period of time the chloride salts can cause damage to the dye on a fabric as well as eventual deterioration of a fabric. Garments must be carefully inspected at counter. Staining must be marked for spotting and discoloration and pointed out to the customer. Chloride salts must be spotted before drycleaning. Use the water gun or steam gun hold safely away from fabric so heat of steam gun is not a factor. Rinse all spotting chemicals thoroughly from fabric. Use levelling agent and allow to dry before drycleaning.
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