Outdoor grilling and barbecuing have always been an American tradition during the warm weather months. The resulting stains caused by the spillage of barbecued food can prove to be a challenge to remove. While most barbeque sauces may differ in taste, their basic ingredients are usually the same (a tomato base, high fructose corn syrup or sugar, molasses, food coloring, spices, mustard, and vinegar). Since stains from barbecued foods contain will also contain grease (from the meat that was barbecued), this type of stain is considered to be a “combination stain”, that will require the following procedures, done in this order:

First Step: Dryside Stain Removal Procedure:

1. Apply O.T.P.R or P.O.G

1. Apply Volatile Dry Solvent (VDS) (optional)*

1. Mechanical Action (Tamp with a spotting brush and gently work in with a spatula) 

2. Apply amyl acetate with O.T.P.R or P.O.G **

3. Mechanical Action (Tamp with a spotting brush and gently work in with a spatula)

4. Flush with steam or VDS (depending on the type of OTPR or POG used). 

*V.D.S. will often aid in the solubilization of dryside stains 

**Amyl acetate will dissolve vegetable stains that contain chlorophyll, or vegetable-based stains that contain oxidizing oils (from beans or seeds). Do not use if the fabric contains polyurethane or acrylic

Second Step: Tannin Stain Procedure (since prepared tannin formulas contain neutral lubricants, the sweet stain procedure can be omitted).

1. Flush with steam 

2. Apply a prepared tannin formula (neutral lubricant + 28% acetic acid can be substituted) 

3. Mechanical Action- Tamp with a spotting brush a work it with a spatula (“spotting bone”)

4. Repeat if necessary

5. Flush and feather if the stain is removed

If the stain remains: 

1. Apply Oxalic Acid or a Rust remover that contains oxalic acid (do not use a rust remover that contains hydrofluoric acid since they are extremely corrosive and may damage many fabrics and dyes (consult the manufacturer’s safety data sheet for chemical content). Test with heat from the spotting gun on an unexposed area of the garment before working on the stained area)

2. Apply heat with the spotting gun-no mechanical action

3. Apply General Formula (test with heat from the spotting gun on an unexposed area of the garment before working on the stained area)

4. Mechanical Action

5. Flush with steam

 Third Step: Protein/ Albuminous Procedure 

1. Mist the stained area with water

2. Flush with steam 

3. Apply a Protein Formula or (Neutral Lubricant + 26⁰ Ammonia)* 

4. Mechanical Action- Tamp with a spotting brush a work it with a spatula (“spotting bone”)

5. Repeat if necessary

6. Flush and Feather if the stain is removed

If the stain remains: 

1. Apply 3% Hydrogen Peroxide*

2. Apply heat from the spotting gun (No Mechanical Action)** 

If the stain remains:

1. Apply 3% Hydrogen Peroxide + 26% Ammonia*

2. Apply heat from the spotting gun (No Mechanical Action)**

3. Neutralize with 28% Acetic Acid

*Test for color fastness on an unexposed area of the garment when applying ammonia or hydrogen peroxide

**Test for colorfastness on an unexposed area of the garment when applying ammonia with hydrogen Peroxide, using heat from the spotting gun.