Q - Jim,
Need your help if possible. We have a customer that has a fabric that we got blood on, just one small spot. I need to know the best way to clean this safely. The fabric is 100% viscose. The cleaning code is "P". The fabric is from Robert Allen.
If you can help, please advise.
Thank You
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A – The blood isn't the problem, the viscose is.
Viscose is another name for rayon, and you'll find that it loses color and water marks easily. If it weren't for the fact that blood needs removed with water based materials, I'd say dry clean it.
Was the fabric protected? If it was, you MIGHT have a chance of getting reasonably good results. If not, your chances are slim.
That said, this would be the procedures I'd recommend:
- Inform the customer that most wet spotting procedures can remove color and potentially distort the texture of rayon. Your process may also cause puckering and shrinkage, depending on the construction of the fabric. (A sturdy, rough weave construction could respond well).
- Once you have her written approval, try to simply rinse the entire cushion with Fab Set, diluted 1 ounce per gallon of water. An acidic rinse agent like Fab Set rarely removes blood, but if it had a protector applied, you might have some success. The main reason to do this first is that by evenly dampening the fabric with Fab Set, and using this simple rinse step, you will prevent water marks and perhaps color loss.
- If blood remains, apply Avenge spotter to a towel, and VERY GENTLY blot the blood stain. Do NOT rub it, as viscose is much weaker wet than dry and you will cause distortion otherwise.
- If the Avenge spotter does not remove the blood, apply Protein Spotter to a towel and gently blot the stain. You will likely remove color with this procedure, so this is why a signed, specifically worded agreement is critical. You might remove the blood and not the color, and if you are so fortunate as to do so, be sure to rinse the fabric again with Fab Set to remove residual Avenge and Protein Spotter.
- If the Protein Spotter does not remove the blood, you may try 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Blot and watch for a color change.
- If you get reasonably good results, the fabric was probably protected when it was purchased. If it wasn't protected, you will likely remove the blood stain, the original dye, and distort the fabric as well. Patience and limited applications of spotting agents might limit this damage, but its nearly impossible to avoid some color and texture damage when cleaning viscose.
