Spot Treatment Technique (Sponging) for Apparel Fabrics

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Spot Treatment Technique (Sponging) for Apparel Fabrics

A spot treatment confines the stain to a small area and keeps it from spreading. This method is sometimes called "sponging." For spot treatment you need a supply of absorbent material such as, clean rags or paper towels, and a drycleaning solvent, spot remover, or aerosol pretreatment spray.

Follow these steps:

Pad the working surface with clean rags or paper towels that can be stained as you work.
Place the stained area or spot on the garment face-down over the padded surface.
Dampen a small white cloth with solvent.
Use the dampened cloth to pat the stain from the wrong side. Feather the edges of the stain working from the outside toward the center to keep the stained area from getting larger.
As the stain transfers to the absorbent material beneath, move it to a different place on the absorbent material so the stain has a clean place to exit into.
Repeat this procedure until all traces of stain are gone. Launder to remove any ring that might be left by the solvent.

Special thanks to Iowa State University for allowing us to reproduce this information.

Reproduced with permission from the Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011.

Prepared by: Janis Stone,
Textiles and Clothing Specialist,
Iowa State University

No endorsement of companies or their products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies or their products not mentioned.

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Clothing Care and Fiber Content Labels
Fabrics Labeled "Dry-clean Only"
A Note about Modern Fabrics
Garments with Contrasting Colors or Trim
Removing Stains from Washable Fabrics:
Spot Treatment Technique (Sponging) for Apparel Fabrics
Chemical Solvents and Supplies
Follow These Safety Precautions
Classification of Stains
What to Do if You Don't Know
Stains Needing Unique Treatment Methods
Common Remedies to Avoid
How to Identify and Prevent
Additional Stain Removal References