A stain-resistant tablecloth should be resistant to commonly used foodstuffs, such as coffee, tea, red wine, fruit juices, ketchup, etc. All these stains should be easily removed from the surface of the material with water and a little detergent. However, due to the multitude of potential soils, there may be stains which, after prolonged exposure to the soil on the product, will be more difficult to remove. The staining agent should be removed from the surface of the material as quickly as possible, and then the tablecloth should be washed in accordance with the maintenance regulations.
When using and maintaining products with a stain-resistant finish, we advise you to adhere to the following recommendations: the staining agent should be removed from the surface of the fabric in the shortest possible time (preferably immediately) with a paper tissue or kitchen paper (in such a way as not to additionally indent the staining substance into the fabric), after preliminary removal of dirt, the fabric should be washed in accordance with the maintenance regulations, also as soon as possible (up to 24 hours), after washing, the product should be ironed each time to restore the properties of the finish, stains fixed by high temperature before washing may turn out to be impossible to remove. Stain resistance does not mean that the fabric is completely protected against the penetration of a staining agent into it, and it does not ensure 100% stain removal. In particular, greasy (oil) stains may prove difficult to remove completely, especially after being left on the fabric for a long time.
Stains, depending on the raw material composition of the fabric, can wash off to a different degree, e.g. it is easier to wash dirt from a polyester fabric, which is more hydrophobic than cotton fabric - hydrophilic, absorbing liquids and oils faster. An interesting test that checks the quality of a stain-resistant finish is the so-called Tchibo test developed by Huntsman - a supplier of chemicals for stain-resistant finishes. Soiling factors are selected for the test: hot coffee, tea, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, red wine and sunflower oil, then the fabric sample is dirty and initially assessed: the so-called test 0 and after washing at a fixed temperature (40ºC is recommended for PES) and ironing to restore the properties of stain-resistant finishes.
The assessment is made according to a 5-point gray scale, where a result of 5 means that the stain was completely washed off, and a result of 1 means that a fairly significant stain remained on the fabric of the substance. Where did the evaluation of stains on fabrics come from? - it could seem that all the dirt will wash off the stain-resistant finishes. Well, it is related to the tightening of regulations on the use of prohibited substances that are harmful to health, life and the environment. The best results were achieved with the use of stain-resistant C8 (8-carbon) fluorocarbon compounds, which have been banned and withdrawn. From then on, both suppliers of chemicals and manufacturers of stain-resistant products are forced to use compounds based on 6-carbon fluorocarbons or natural products, and these - both - do not give such good washability, especially difficult oil stains.
The Tchibo test allows for an agreement between the manufacturer of the stain-resistant fabric and the user of tablecloths, saying that a slight stain may remain, eg according to the gray scale, rated as 4. If the stains are larger, the product will be subject to complaint.
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