What Stains Can Dry Cleaners Remove?
Stains are inevitable—from coffee spills and wine splashes to ink marks on your favourite shirt. Find out which everyday stains dry cleaning can remove, saving you the stress of last-minute DIY treatments and a permanently stained item.
Download our Stain Removal Cheat Sheet to see which stains we can be professionally removed by dry cleaners.
- How does dry cleaning remove stains
- Protein-based stains
- Oil-based stains
- Tannin-based stains
- Colour and Dye-based stains
- FAQs about stain removal
How Does Dry Cleaning Remove Stains
Dry cleaners will follow a specific process to lift stains from your fabrics, using special solvents depending on the fabric material and type of stain. The dry cleaning stain removal methods include:
- Pre-treatment: Spotting solutions and chemical agents are used based on the type of stain.
- Solvents: Non-water-based cleaning agents are used to dissolve fats, oils, and grease.
- Heat and Steam: Used to loosen stains and improve solvent penetration.
It’s important to note that when you send in your item for dry cleaning, you should always let the dry cleaner know what type of stain is on your item to make sure they use the most efficient kind of solvents and processes to remove them.
Protein-Based Stains
Protein-based stains are organic stains are caused by blood, sweat, urine, and deodorant residue.
Can dry cleaners remove protein stains: Yes
- If treated early, protein-based stains have a high success rate of being removed.
Removal process:
Dry cleaners can effectively lift most stains caused by blood, sweat, urine, or deodorant residue using the following chemicals:
- Enzyme-based spot cleaner: Dry cleaners will spot-treat a specific area using enzymatic solvents which can effectively break down organic stains into tiny pieces and make them easier to remove during a wash cycle.
- Perchloroethylene(Perc): If an item is dry-clean only, Perc is the go-to solvent in dry cleaning thanks to its ability to penetrate organic stains and break them down without using water.
- Hydrocarbon solvents: More delicate materials and fabrics like silk and wool which can’t withstand Perc will need hydrocarbon solvents to lift protein-stains.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains are caused by cooking oil and grease, certain types of makeup, motor oils and oil paints.
Can dry cleaners remove oil stains: Yes
Dry cleaning can dissolve greasy residue, especially if treated quickly. Oil and grease stains are difficult to remove at home since water runs the risk of setting them in and making them worse.
Removal process:
- Perchloroethylene (Perc): Perc is efficient at removing oil stains due to its ability to break down the oils without the need for water.
- Hydrocarbon solvents: These solvents are less (intense) that Perc, and are used on delicate fabrics to avoid causing damage
Tannin-Based Stains
Tannin-based stains are normally caused by a range of foods and drinks including coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine
Can dry cleaners remove tannin stains: Yes
- Most tannin-based stains are easily removed by dry cleaners, however the longer they sit, the more difficult they become to remove – especially if the fabric has become discoloured over time.
Removal process:
- Tannin Spotting Agents: Dry cleaners use acidic solutions (usually acetic acid or tannin spotters) to break down the natural plant compounds that make up most tannin stains.
- Perchloroethylene (Perc): Helps further remove residual oils and solids after treating the tannin stain.
- Alkaline Detergents: After using acid-based agents, an alkaline detergent might be used to neutralize and ensure the stain is entirely lifted.
Dye and Colour-Based Stains
The most common type of dye and colour-based stains come from dye-transfer, which usually occurs when dye is passed from one fabric to another during a wash. Other types include artificial ink and paint.
Can dry cleaners remove dye-based stains: Yes, but it’s not always guaranteed
- Caution is taken during the cleaning process especially for fabrics prone to bleeding.
- These types of stains can take longer to be removed due to needing a longer process.
Removal process:
- Oxidising Agents (Hydrogen Peroxide): Helps bleach out dye stains on lighter fabrics without damaging the material. Peroxide is commonly used to treat ink and dye stains.
- Reducing Agents (Sodium Hydrosulphite): Can break down and lift dye-based stains by reducing the chemical bonds in the stain before putting an item in the wash
- Solvent Spotters (Dry Cleaning Fluids): Used in combination with spotting agents to target dye transfer and restore fabric coloration.
Frequently asked questions about dry cleaning stain removal
Our stain removal dry cleaning experts have answered the most common queries to guide you in your search for the right stain removal process.
Will dry cleaners always remove a stain?
While dry cleaners will always use special solvents and follow the right processes to remove stains, it’s unfortunately never a 100% guarantee that a stain will come out. A number of factors, like how long the stain has been on the fabric, the type of material it’s on, and whether it’s been washed or attempted to be treated previously can all affect how well a stain can be lifted.
Can dry cleaning remove stains if I’ve washed my item?
Stains are most efficiently removed if the item hasn’t been washed previously, as water can cause the products to set deeper into the fabric.
Can dry cleaning remove armpit stains?
Ammonia solutions and enzyme cleaners are used to break down sweat armpit stains, However, the efficiency of lifting the stain will depend on how long the sweat has been on the item and whether it’s been washed before.
Can dry cleaning fix bleach stains?
Regular dry cleaning solvents can’t remove permanent bleach stains from fabric, but some dry cleaners may use colour-restoring techniques using dye and fabric pens. Always let your dry cleaner know if your stain is caused by bleach.
Can dry cleaners remove stains from silk?
Yes, dry cleaners can remove stains on silk fabrics by using a range of solvents made for delicate fabrics, and avoiding traditional washing methods which can cause abrasion or agitation.
How do I find the best dry cleaners near me for stain removal?
If you have an item you’d like to send to professional dry cleaners, an on demand collection service can take the hassle away from searching for dry cleaners near you. Simply let us know your preferred time slots, and state your order notes what type of stain you have on your clothes. We’ll come and collect, and our experts will treat your stain the right way.
ihateironing is a network of professional dry cleaners providing the finest dry cleaning and laundry service with convenient collection and delivery at any times that suit you. We operate in London, New York, Brighton, Edinburgh, Oxford, and beyond.