Got Milk Stains?

Need help removing milk stains on a garment?  

Milk stains contain albumin, a component in many foods of animal origin. Eggs, milk, blood, urine, perspiration, certain types of glue, and gelatin have high contents of albumin. Fresh albumin stains are water-soluble and easily removed with wetside stain removal agents, such as steam. The longer the stain remains on the garment, the more difficult they are to remove.
 

The following procedure is proven to safely remove albumin stains:

1. Flush thoroughly with steam.

2. Apply neutral synthetic detergent; tamp and flush with steam.

3. If the stain persists, try protein formula or ammonia 26°.

4. Tamp and flush with steam.

5. If the stain remains, use a digester.

Note: If a protein formula or ammonia is used on silk or wool, the fabric must be flushed thoroughly and, if necessary, neutralized with tannin or 28 percent acetic acid to prevent discoloration.

Suggested Reading

DLI Silver, Gold & Premier members may learn more about this and many other topics on DLI's Encyclopedia of Drycleaning Online.

• TABS No. 440: Protein Albumin Stains
• Technical Operating Information (TOI) Nos: 700-704: Stain Removal 101, Parts 1-5 (Also available in Spanish)