What Dry Cleaners Should Know

In professional garment care, success at the spotting board is not about shortcuts. It is about control, judgment, and knowing your tools.

While commercial spotting agents remain essential, there are a few common household products that can support stain and odor removal when used correctly and carefully. Used improperly, however, these same products can create irreversible damage.

This article outlines how experienced cleaners use certain everyday products as support tools, not replacements, in professional spotting workflows.

Why Household Products Can Play a Role

Some household items have chemical properties that make them useful in specific situations. When paired with proper testing and technique, they can help address:

• Residual protein or tannin staining

• Light scorch marks

• Persistent odors

• Minor cosmetic color loss

The emphasis is always on precision, restraint, and fabric safety.

Common Products Used by Professionals

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)

A mild oxidizer, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to help remove light protein, tannin, scorch marks, and some inks or dyes.

• Best for finishing or refining results

• Must always be tested first

• Not suitable for all dyes or fabrics

Higher-strength peroxide solutions exist but require significantly more caution and experience.

Glycerin

Glycerin acts as a non-detergent lubricant, which makes it useful during certain bleaching or digesting steps.

• Helps prevent uneven lightening

• Does not leave detergent residue

• Especially useful on light-colored fabrics

Because it evaporates slowly, glycerin offers greater control during spotting.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild alkali that can support certain spotting formulas.

• Can help accelerate peroxide action

• Can be combined with neutral lubricants for gentle protein treatment

• Should never be used aggressively or without testing

Odor Neutralizing Sprays

Some spray-type odor removal formulas contain antimicrobial agents that neutralize odor-causing bacteria rather than masking smells.

• Effective for certain garment odors

• Must be applied from a safe distance

• Over-wetting can cause blotching or rings

These products are tools, not cures for underlying contamination or improper cleaning.

Chlorine Bleach Pens

Bleach pens allow precise application of chlorine bleach in very limited situations.

• Useful for trace stains on appropriate fabrics

• Avoids spills and overuse

• Never used on wool or silk

• Always requires testing

Precision matters more than strength.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is sometimes used for cosmetic correction, particularly on delicate fabrics like silk.

• Can help visually mask color loss

• Applied carefully with an applicator or in a controlled solvent bath

• Not a repair, but a visual enhancement

The Most Important Rule: Test First

Every fabric, dye, and stain behaves differently. Even products considered “mild” can permanently alter a garment.

Professional best practice includes:

• Pre-testing every product

• Using the smallest effective amount

• Controlling moisture and dwell time

• Understanding when not to proceed

The Bottom Line

Household products are not shortcuts. In professional hands, they can be useful support tools at the spotting board. In untrained use, they increase liability and risk.

Precision, patience, and proper training protect the garment and your reputation.

When in doubt, less is more.