Sometimes stains that have been hidden by soil are revealed after cleaning.
These stains, which did not immediately cause discoloration, are usually
from spilled liquid containing colorless sugar that remained on the fibers.
After long exposure to the air, they changed to insoluble brown stains.
The stains may look like brownish discolorations but often they remain
unnoticed because of the accumulated soil covering them.
Other kinds of stains can be caused by water soaking through and absorbing
sizings, browning or fugitive dyes from the backs of the material. Because
the fibers act as wicks, moisture will rise to the surface to evaporate,
and discoloration will be left. Consumers who try to remove stains by
using the wrong cleaning compounds and procedures may only make the stained
areas more noticeable.
To lessen the possibility of stain damage immediate action should be taken:
thoroughly absorb all moisture and when possible, put a ½ inch
thickness of clean white absorbent material over the area, weighting it
down to remove the spot safely before it becomes a permanent stain.