Stain

A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. They are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials. Accidental staining may make materials appear used, degraded or permanently unclean. Intentional staining is used in biochemical research, and for artistic effect, such as in wood staining, rust staining and stained glass.

## Contents

* 1 Types
* 2 Formation
* 3 Properties
* 4 Removal
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 Further reading
* 8 External links

## Types

There can be intentional stains (such as wood stains or paint),[1] indicative stains (such as food coloring dye, and staining, the use of one or more substances to enhance visibility of samples in a microscope or other imaging device.[2] Numerous naturally occurring stains exist, such as rust on iron and a patina on bronze,[3] as do accidental stains such as from ketchup and oil on fabrics and other materials.

Stained waistcoat, originally that of a Royal Navy captain of the Victorian era Coffee stains

## Formation

The primary method of stain formation is surface stains, where the staining substance is spilled out onto the surface or material and is trapped in the fibers, pores, indentations, or other capillary structures on the surface.[1] The material that is trapped coats the underlying material, and the stain reflects backlight according to its own color. Applied paint, spilled food, and wood stains are of this nature.[4]

Finally, there can also be molecular attraction between the material and the staining material, involving being held in a covalent bond and showing the color of the bound substance.[5][failed verification]

## Properties

In many cases, stains are affected by heat and may become reactive enough to bond with the underlying material. Applied heat, such as from ironing, dry cleaning, or sunlight, can cause a chemical reaction on an otherwise removable stain.[citation needed]

## Removal

Various laundry techniques exist to attempt to remove or reduce existing stains. Stain removal is frequently a highly desired characteristic in laundry detergents and other types of cleaning products. Some products are designed to be applied directly onto stains. The removal of some types of stains requires chemicals or special techniques.[6]

Some techniques for wood stain removal, involve first removing the protective layer (for example varnish) if there is one, before sanding and refinishing.[7]

There are different techniques for removing rust stains, depending on the material this is on, for example clothing or concrete. Some housekeeping guides recommend using salt and lemon juice on clothing and specialist cleaners to remove rust from concrete, on areas such as driveways and patios.[8]

## See also

* Biodegradation
* Bleach
* Dye
* Foxing
* Permanent marker
* Weathering steel

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bob Flexner (1999). "Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish". Reader's Digest: 121. ISBN 978-0-7621-0191-7.
2. ↑ George Clark, James W. Bartholomew (1981). Staining Procedures Used by the Biological Stain Commission: Published for the Biological Stain Commission. Williams & Wilkins. pp. 32–33. ISBN 978-0-683-01707-6.
3. ↑ L. William Zahner (1997). Architectural Metals: A Guide to Selection, Specification, and Performance. Wiley. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-471-04506-9.
4. ↑ NACE International (1987). Materials Performance. 26. National Association of Corrosion Engineers. p. 33.
5. ↑ Max Alth, Simon Alth (1977). The Stain Removal Handbook. Hawthorn Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-8015-7071-1. https://archive.org/details/stainremovalhand0000alth/page/22.
6. ↑ "Stain Removal Guide". https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide.
7. ↑ "How to Remove Stain From Wood" (in en). https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-remove-stain-from-wood-6749848.
8. ↑ Helen, McCue (8 April 2021). "How to remove rust and iron mould stains" (in en-GB). https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a656980/remove-rust-and-iron-mould-stains/.

## Further reading

* Stain & Spot Removal Handbook: Consumer guide. by the editors of Consumer Guide. Skokie, Ill: Beekman House, 1981. 9780517316832
* Zia, Stephanie. Stain Removal. London: Hamlyn, 2005. Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Sterling Pub. Co., 2005. 9780600611240
* Soto, Anne MarieStain Rescue!: The A-Z Guide to Removing Smudges, Spots & Other Spills By good Housekeeping Institute (New York, N.Y.). Published by Sterling Publishing Company, 2007 ISBN
* Mendelson, Cheryl Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens Simon & Schuster, 2005 ISBN 978-0-7432-7145-5

## External links

* Stain removal guide, American Cleaning Institute
* Media related to Stain at Wikimedia Commons

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Laundry

List of laundry topics

Chemicals|

* Bleach
* Fabric softener
* Laundry detergent
* pods

Washing|

* Combo washer dryer
* Dry cleaning
* Tunnel washer
* Wet cleaning
* Washboard
* Wash copper
* Washing machine

Drying|

* Clothes dryer
* Clothes horse
* Clothes line
* Drying cabinet
* Hills Hoist
* Mangle

Folding|

* FoldiMate
* Laundroid

Finishing|

* Box mangle
* Clothes hanger
* Ironing

Concepts|

* Colour fastness
* Fulling
* Posting
* Shrinkage
* Stain

Organizations|

* Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance
* French laundries of California
* Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union
* Laundry Workers Industrial Union
* Project Laundry List
* Worshipful Company of Launderers

Culture|

* Dhobi
* Housekeeping
* Industrial laundry
* Laundry symbol
* Washerwoman

Accessories|

* Clothespin
* Dispensing ball
* Hamper
* Laundry ball
* Posser
* Washing paddle

Law|

* Barbier v. Connolly
* Kimball Laundry Co. v. United States
* Muller v. Oregon
* Pearson v. Chung
* Yick Wo v. Hopkins

Places|

* Baths and wash houses in Britain
* Dhobi Ghat
* Laundry room
* Lavoir
* Self-service laundry
* Tvättstuga

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