#2 Removing stains from rainwear

A customer consulted us that when wearing the Yamamichi UL Rain Hoody Pertex Pro, he had applied Vaseline to his skin to prevent chafing, and the applied area on the jacket had become stained and could not be removed even after washing.

When we looked at the actual garment, we could see a clear stain that had penetrated from the back side to the front side. We tried 1. washing by leaving the stain in warm water, which is said to be effective in removing oil and Sabum stains, 2. partial washing by applying detergent directly to the stain, and 3. washing at a dry cleaner, but the stain did not disappear.

Therefore, we decided to conduct research furthur on the matter. By figuring this out, we can remove and clean old products that was ruined by sabum stains after frequent use! (the darkening of the collar and cuffs of worn-out nylon products is thought to be caused by sebum in many cases).

Pertex Shield Pro is a hydrophobic porous membrane made of polyurethane. Porous membranes have a mesh-like structure with numerous microscopic pores (holes) in the membrane. We have found that when oily creams or liquids such as Vaseline adhere to the membrane when worn, the oil or fat penetrates the microscopic pores and permeates through the membrane from the skin side to the outer fabric, causing stains. Pertex shield is very prone to this type of stain due to its 2 layer structure of membrane, exposed with no protective layer on the inside.

On the other hand, Pertex Shield is a hydrophilic non-porous membrane with no pores, so oil only adheres to the surface, and stains can be remedied with proper washing at home.

We also shared information with Mitsui Bussan Aifashion co. , distributor of the Pertex Shield pro, about the stains, and received information about “Dry Solvee” and “Sun Dry,” two professional-use (Japanese) stain removers, as a way to deal with the problem.

Dry “Solvee” and “Sun Dry” can be purchased over the counter (in-Japan) and often used in sewing factories where machine oil such as sewing machine oil tends to cause stains.

For oil and grease stains that cannot be removed by washing with general laundry detergent or kitchen detergent, by partial washing, or by washing at a dry cleaner, we recommend the use of these special oil and grease stain removers.

We have also examined laundry care for various stains on nylon material wear, such as rainwear and down jackets, and will introduce them here.

There are three main categories of stains.

Of these, only water-soluble stains can usually be washed out with everyday methods, but oil stains and insoluble stains become stains are a different story.

In addition, stains may be a combination of factors 1-3. For example, stains from bicycle chain oil are not just oil stains; they are “oil stains + insoluble stains” because iron powder is mixed in with the oil. In the case of such stains, a two-step washing process is used, first removing the oil stain and then removing the insoluble stain caused by the iron particles.

We tried various of cleaning methods for using Yamatomichi staff members garments as examples. We hope you will find the following laundry care tips useful, using items you have at home or can obtain at a nearby drugstore. Please be sure to test the care on an inconspicuous area to make sure there is no color fading or discoloration.

This is a phenomenon often seen in puffies and such. Where the cuffs, pocket area, collar, etc. have become darkened. Even washing and cleaning often do not improve this condition, and you may have garments that are worn less often due to these type of stains, even if they are functionally fine.

We tried partial washing with “Utamaro Soap,” which is highly rated by many households for its resistance to dirt and sebum.

Utamaro Soap contains a fluorescent bleach, so care must be taken when using it on colored fabrics, but Utamaro Liquid, a neutral detergent, is non-fluorescent and can be used safely on colored fabrics. This time, we applied “Utamaro Liquid” to the stained area and scrubbed it with a toothbrush to wash the area.

When riding a bicycle without a chain guard, chain lubricant often sticks to the hem of pants. Since the lubricant is mixed with iron powder and mud, it often does not come off even with the above-mentioned oil-based stain remover like “Utamaro soap,” and many people give up at this point.

Cleansing oil for makeup removal is actually very useful for such stains. First, the cleansing oil dissolves the oily dirt components derived from lubricating oil, and then the remaining dirt from iron powder, etc., can be scrubbed off with a toothbrush or similar tool.

Leaving the cleansing oil on the garment for a long time may cause new oil stains, so after treatment, remove the cleansing oil thoroughly with hot water of about 40°C (104°F), and then machine wash.

These are just a few examples of stain removal.

Once you understand how to care for stains according to their characteristics, you will be amazed at how even stubborn stains that you had previously given up on can be cleaned. Although laundry care is often thought of as a hassle, I was reminded once again that it is a profound and creative process.

We hope that you will enjoy the exhilarating feeling of cleanliness and revival through laundry care, and that you will use your favorite items for many years to come.