LearningGuide

Common stains

29383 Identify and remove common stains / Level 3 / 6 credits
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Contents

Introduction

Stains and spots

Know your stain

How to identify stains

Different types of stains

How to read a stain removal chart

A spot test

Cleaning agents

Common procedure to remove stains

Spot mopping

Removing stains from hard floors

Carpet spotting

Stains on soft coverings

Extraction

Absorption

Agitation/tamping

Enzyme digestion

Chemical action

Possible problems

Special equipment required

Removing stains from soft coverings

Information on recurring stains

Common stains (US 29383) Learning Guide © Careerforce –Issue 1.0 – June 20161

Introduction

As a cleaner, what you do and how you do it makes a difference to cleanliness and hygiene for people working in, living in, or visiting the place you clean. It also makes a difference to other staff members and even to you.This learning guide gives you information about identifying and removing spots and stains on materials and surfaces.

How to use your learning guide

This learning guide supports your learning and prepares you for the unit standard assessment.

This guide relates to the following unit standard:

  • 29383 Identify and remove common stains(level 3, 6 credits).

This learning guide is yours to keep. Make it your own by writing notes that help you remember things, or where you need to find more information.

Follow the tips in the notes column.

You may use highlighter pens to show important information and ideas, and think about how this information applies to your work.

You might find it helpful to talk to your workmates or supervisor.

Complete this learning guide before you start the assessment.

What you will learn

This topic will help you to:

  • identify stains.
  • choose appropriate cleaning agents.
  • remove stains from materials and surfaces.

Stains and spots

Spots and stains may be found on hard surfaces such as walls, floors and bench tops, and on soft furnishings like carpets, curtains, textiles, cushions, sofas and chairs.

A spot changes the feel or look of the material. Astain is a dirty mark that is difficult to clean.

A stain can also be an area on the fabric or material that is a different colour from the rest of the fabric or material. For example: a brown stain on a black fabric.

Know your stain

Stains may be identifiable or non-identifiable.

An identifiable stain is a stain that you are able to identify. This means you know what caused the stain and can find out exactly what you must do to treat it.

When you know what type of stain it is and what type of floor it is, you can select the correct cleaning agent by:

  • reading the labels on the bottles of cleaning agent.
  • looking at the stain removal chart.

Sometimes it is not possible to identify a stain. If you don’t know what caused a stain, it is called an unidentifiable stain.

To remove an unidentifiable stain, you will follow a similar procedure for removing an identifiable stain. However, because you are not able to identify the stain, you will first have to do a spot test on the stain, to find a cleaning agent that will remove the stain.

/ Red wine stain

How to identify stains

It is important to identify the stain first, so you know how to treat it.

Some solvents are only used on water-based stains and other solvents are only used on oil-based stains.You may need to use a different method of stain removal for different types of stains.

You may need to use a number of different ways to identify a stain. These include: colour, smell (odour), appearance (sight), feel (touch), location and client input.

Colour

The colour of the stain may help you to identify it. However, the colour alone is sometimes not very helpful. For example, many stains look brown, ie coffee, tea, old lemonade stains, make up, and so on.

Odour or smell

Some substances have a strong smell. For example, you may be able to identify a coffee stain or an oil stain by its smell.

Appearance or sight

Sometimes it is possible to identify a stain, from just looking at it. For example, chewing gum is easy to identify from looking at it.For water-based stains, look for a ring that forms around the outside of the stain.

Feel (touch)

You may be able to identify a stain by touching it. For example, you can identify an oil/grease stain by touch.It may be greasy to the touch. It may look shiny. It may also have an oily smell.

Location

Sometimes the location where the stain is found may help you to identify a stain. It may give you clues. For example, black stains on the floor near a photocopier could be made by black toner from a toner cartridge. Brown spills on the chairs in the lunch room at an office may be tea or coffee stains.

Client input

Client input is information that a client tells you. The client may be able to tell you what caused the stain.

Different types of stains

You may have to remove many different types of stains. These may include: coffee, tea, chewing gum, tar, oil/grease, paint, mud/soil, ink, biro, crayon, twink (white out correction fluid), toner, wine, milk and blood. You may have a stain removal chart which you can consult.

Types of stains
Coffee stain / Tea stain / Chewing gum
Tar / Oil/grease / Paint
Mud/soil / Ink / Biro
Crayon / White out liquid (twink) / Toner
Wine / Milk / Blood

How to read a stain removal chart

Here is an example of how to find the directions for removing oil from cork floors.Look at the diagram and read ‘Instructions for reading a stain removal chart’ below.

Stain Type / Type of Hard Floor / Directions
Alcoholic Beverage
Blood
Ink

Oil / Resilient Tile / 1Remove as much oil as possible with paper towels or a spatula.
1Rub with a cloth dampened in detergent and warm water.
2If this does not work use a concentrated commercial cleaner and then rinse well.
Wood and cork floors / 1Remove as much oil as possible with paper towels or a spatula.
2Put a cloth saturated with dry cleaning fluid on the stain for five minutes.
3Then wipe the area dry and wash with detergent and water.

Instructions for reading a stain removal chart

For this type of table you read all the information going across a row.

  • Go to the Headings (the top line). Find the heading ‘StainType’.
  • Move your finger down this column until you find the stain type you want. In this example, you are looking for oil.
  • Once you have found the stain type, move across the row to the next column. Find the ‘Type of Hard Floor’. Some stains will have different directions for different types of hard floors. In this example, you want to remove oil from cork floors.
  • Once you have found the type of hard floor, move across the row to the next column ‘Directions’. Read the directions

Common stains (US 29383) Learning Guide © Careerforce –Issue 1.0 – June 20161

A spot test

When you can’t identify the stain, it is difficult to choose a stain removal cleaning agent to remove it. So, you need to try different types of stain removal cleaning agents on a small part of the spot or stain to find one that will safely remove the stain without damaging the surface or material. This is called a spot test.

There is a correct order for trying different cleanings agents on an unidentifiable stain. You must always follow this order.

Make sure that you always neutralise a stain removal cleaning agent before trying the next one on the list. Check the label to find out what to use to neutralise the stain.

If none of these standard treatments remove the spot or stain, you should talk to your supervisor and the client before trying a specialty treatment.

Once you have chosen a cleaning agent, you should still do a colourfast test on an area of the fabric or material that is not visible.

Key words
solvent / usually a liquid, which removes a stain
detergent solution / detergent solutions remove stains

1 Volatile dry solvent

Alwaysstart a spot test on an unidentifiable stain by using a volatile dry solvent (VDS) like Perco or Dry Fabric Cleaner. It is called a volatile solvent because it evaporates easily. Reasons for starting with volatile dry solvent are that:

  • it will not set the stain (it will not make the stain permanent).
  • VDS will not create a barrier so you can try another stain removal cleaning agent if it does not remove the stain.

Volatile dry solvent can be used on the following stains - light oils, grease, tar, gum, asphalt, carbon, copier toner, fresh paint and general spots.

2 Non-volatile dry solvent

If a VDS doesn’t remove the stain, try a non-volatile dry solvent (NVDS) next. Examples of non-volatile dry solvents are: P.O.G, Visicol Red, Grease Breaker, Wet Solvent, Dry ‘N Wet Spotter. A non-volatile solvent spotter will remove paint, oil, grease, oxidized oils, inks, dyes, plastic, lipstick, lacquer, glue, varnish and nail polish.

To neutralise NVDS, rinse it with a volatile dry solvent.

3 Neutral detergent solution

If a non-volatile dry solvent doesn’t remove the stain, try a neutral detergent solution (NDS) next. This is a neutral pH foaming detergent. Neutralise the NDS after you have used it and before trying a different type of stain removal cleaning agent.

4 Alkaline detergent solution

The next stain removal cleaning agent to try is an alkaline detergent solution. It will remove acid based stains, food spots, blood, albumin, protein spots, fatty acids, perspiration, saliva and some cosmetics (make-up).

If alkaline detergent solution doesn’t remove the stain, neutralise it with an acid solution.

5 Acid detergent solution

Acid detergent solution, (tannin spotter) is used to remove spots caused by coffee or tea. These are called tannin spots. Acid detergent solutions also remove the following stains - wine, soft drinks, urine (wee), and faeces (poo). If this doesn’t work, neutralise it with an alkaline solution, before trying another stain removal agent.

Cleaning agents

Solvents

A solvent is a substance (usually a liquid) that removes a stain. Different types of stains need to be treated with different solvents. Common solvents are detergents, bleaches, pre-treatment products, alcohol, ammonia, dry cleaning fluid, nail polish removers, rust removers.

Some solvents are only used on water-based stains and other solvents are only used on oil-based stains. So, it is important to identify the stain correctly.

When you use a solvent, alwaysuse the least damaging solvent for that type of stain, first. If this doesn’t work, you may need to try a stronger solvent.

When using any solvents, try to stop them from soaking too deeply into the fibres. Solvents soaked into the backing can dissolve (melt) latex, cause delamination and encourage ‘wicking’. Wicking is the upward flow of moisture on fibre surfaces during drying.

Always apply your spotting agent (water or solvent based) to a white towel first, then to the spot. This will avoid driving the stain deeper into the carpet or fabric and will help you control the amount of chemical used. Also if you notice stain transfer onto the towel, you will know you have the correct chemical cleaning agent.

Neutralisers

Alwaysneutralise the cleaning agent, after you have removed the stain. A neutraliser neutralises the cleaning agent, stopping it from continuing to work. You need to neutralise the cleaning agent because:

  • it prevents damaging the surface or material.
  • it prevents causing a chemical reaction between two types of cleaning agent.

Read the instructions on the label, to find the correct neutralising agent.

There are two types of neutralisers:

1alkaline based neutralisers - if you are using an alkaline based cleaning agent, you would use an acid based neutraliser.

2acid based neutralisers - if you are using an acid based cleaning agent, you would use an alkaline based neutraliser.

Key words
neutraliser / a neutraliser neutralises the cleaning agent, stopping it from continuing to work

Common procedure to remove stains

There is a common procedure for identifying and removing stains. The actual method, equipment and cleaning agent used will depend upon what the stain is and the material or surface the stain is on.

1Identify the type of material or surface the stain is on.

2Identify the stain andwhether it is oil-based or water-based.

3Select the appropriate cleaning agent by:

  • reading the labels on the bottles of cleaning agent.
  • looking at the stain removal chart.

4Put on your personal protective equipment (PPE).

When handling cleaning agents, including detergent solution, wear safety goggles for eye protection and wear rubber gloves for hand protection.

5Prepare the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This means that you must read the label on the bottle of cleaning agent and follow the instructions carefully.

If you need to mix the cleaning agent, follow the instructions on the label of the cleaning agent.

6Select your equipment and do a safety check of all equipment.

7Put out a warning sign, cordon or barrier. Make sure that you put it in a place that will not cause a hazard and where people can read it.

8Do a colour fast test before you use a cleaning agent. Apply a small amount of cleaning agent to a small area that is not visible.

9Apply the cleaning solution to the stain according to manufacturer’s instructions.

10Neutralise the cleaning agent by rinsing the cleaning agent from the surface with a neutralising agent.

11Rinse.

12Clean your equipment and store it away.Store solvents in a separate area from other cleaning agents witha flammable chemical sign.

13Dispose of any soiled solutions down a cleaners’ sink or down the toilet. Do not empty cleaning solutions down storm water drains or in the gutter.

14Report the outcome to your supervisor or the client. Both successful and unsuccessful stain removal results should be reported.

Spot mopping

Spot mopping is to remove spots and spillages from hard floor surfaces.

Spot cleaning of spillages is to be done as soon as possible after spillage has occurred. Most liquids will not stain if attended to before they dry.

Select and safety check equipment

The equipment you will use includes:

  • personal protective equipment.
  • warning signs.
  • microfibre cloth.
  • microfibre mop.
  • wet mop pad.
  • dry mop pad.
  • bucket.
  • detergent solution.

Apply the cleaning solution

Use the cloth to absorb the spillage.

Detergent solution is to be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction. Safety rules for handling chemical must be observed.

Mop or wipe with water/detergent solution, taking care not to spread soil any further.

Always work from the outside of soil or spillage towards the centre.

Leave area as dry as possible.

Spots and marks on fabrics should NOT be cleaned by this method.

Clean and store equipment

Microfiber cloths and mops may be sent away for laundering. If not, wash and rinse out and leave to dry.

Wash all equipment and hang up to dry. Store the bucket upside down.

Chemicals are to be stored as directed.

Signs to be stored for future use.

Removing stains fromhard floors

Follow the common procedure for removing stains.

Scrubbing brush / Scraper

Select and safety check your equipment

Select your equipment you will use which includes:

  • a stain removal chart.
  • a mop.
  • cloths.
  • a bucket or bowl.
  • a scraper.
  • the appropriate cleaning agent.
  • soft scrubbing brush.

Do a colour fast test

Apply a small amount of cleaning agent, to a small area of hard floor that is not visible.

Follow the instructions on the label. The instructions will tell you how long to leave the cleaning agent on.

If the hard floor changes colour, or is damaged, DO NOT use the cleaning agent on the rest of the hard floor.

Cleaning

To remove the stain, follow the instructions on the bottle of cleaning agent, and apply according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Neutralise the cleaning agent and rinse the floor.

Clean and store equipment

Store solvents in an area that has a flammable chemical sign and in a separate area from other cleaning agents.

Carpet spotting

Carpet spotting removes spots from carpets.Spots and spillages should be attended to as soon as possible after they occur.
The longer the delay the harder it will be to remove them.

Select and safety check your equipment

The equipment needed to do the task includes:

  • lint-free absorbent cloth.
  • small hand bristle brush and scraper.
  • bucket.
  • spray bottle.
  • carpet cleaner.

Inspect carpet before vacuuming and spot clean if necessary.Pick up large items by hand. Use brush and pan to pick up dry, loose soils.

Always use the simplest methods first. Most spills can be removed with water or a carpet cleanser.

When the stain or spillage can be identified, look up a list of recommended cleaners to be used for that liquid or substance.