IDENTIFYING SPOTS AND STAINS
Once you have learned the basic uses of the equipment, tools, and chemical agents, you must be able to determine what the spot or stain is before you try to remove it. Through experience as a spotter, you will be able to easily identify spots and stains. Until you learn, you must be careful because if you try to remove a spot or stain before properly identifying it you may damage the clothing by using the wrong chemical or spotting technique. Listed below are several ways to identify a spot:
Sight- Sight is the most important and the quickest way to identify a spot or stain. Is the spot built up, built up and absorbed, or absorbed and visible on the back side? What is its shape? Is it dull or shiny, smooth-or rough-surfaced, or is it rugged with uneven edges? What is the color?

Feeling- Is the spot hard, soft, sticky, or brittle? Does it become white when scratched?

Odor- Sometimes the odor is so prominent that positive identification of the spot or stain is possible without the use of other guides. Sometimes a drop of water or a feather of steam is required to intensify the odor so you can positively identify what it is.

Location- Food spots are usually found on the front of the garment and on the underside of cuffs and sleeves. Perspiration stains are found under arms, across the back and shoulders, knees, and the seat of trousers. Leg makeup, mud, and shoe polish are found on the lower part of the skirt and coats or legs and cuffs of trousers.

Solvent test- Solvent tests are used to determine whether the spot or stain should be removed by water or dry solvent. If the appearance indicates the spot or stain was spread

Table 6-3.- Chemicals Used in Spotting

Table 6-3.- Chemicals Used in Spotting- Continued
by oil, solvent may remove the spot or stain. An indicates the presence of tannin. Wine and berry ink spot may be tested as follows:
. Add a drop of water to the ink spot. If the ink bleeds easily, it is considered to be water soluble.
. Add a drop of ammonia to the spot. More color should bleed from the spot.

. Add a drop of acetic acid to the spot. If no more color bleeds, then remove the ink spot by a water and ammonia process of bleeding and flushing until spot is completely removed.

. If water does not bleed the ink spot, add dry solvent. If the ink bleeds, then the ink spot is ball-point, marking, Mimeograph, or printing ink, which must be removed on the dry side.
Continue bleeding and flushing until spot is removed.

Chemical tests- Litmus paper indicates the presence of acid or alkali. Tannin can be discovered by applying a drop of ammonia to a spot or stain and noting whether the color turns tan or brown. The change to tan or brown stains are distinguished from ink stains by a discharge of color. The color of wine and berry stains will change from blue to red and back to blue with alternate applications of ammonia and acid.

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