Natural & Aromatic Oil Stain Removers
Natural and aromatic oil stain removers use terpene-type solvents of plant origin instead of petroleum distillates. Their solvency is strong, they carry a characteristic odour, and that odour is weighed together with ventilation when the product is chosen.
What does natural solvent mean here?
The solvent phase in these products comes from plant sources, the best known being terpenes recovered from citrus peel. They do the same job as petroleum solvents: drop the viscosity of the oil so the emulsifier can carry it into the bath.
Plant origin does not by itself mean harmless. Terpenes are flammable, they have a strong odour, and they add organic load to effluent. The difference lies in the source and often in the biodegradability profile. Product figures are read from the safety data sheet: pending from the client.
Which stains is this group used on?
It is chosen where solvency matters most. Typical targets are grease carried over from a stenter chain, compressor and hydraulic oil, fresh silicone droplets, and adhesive tape or label residue.
With silicone, timing decides the outcome. Fresh contamination that has not been through the dryer largely comes out. Silicone that has been heat-set on the stenter cross-links and no stain remover takes it out completely; at that point the problem moves from quality control to production planning.
How is the odour managed?
Terpene odour is strong and is not wanted on the finished cloth. It is handled at two points. A hot rinse after treatment removes most of the solvent. Whatever is left goes volatile during drying and stentering, so machine ventilation is checked.
Where spot application is done in a garment unit, bench ventilation is a separate matter; enclosed booths used for long shifts need local extraction.
How does it differ from the petroleum-solvent group?
Both work by the same mechanism. The difference sits in the origin and behaviour of the solvent.
|
|
Petroleum-solvent |
Natural / aromatic |
|---|---|---|
|
Solvency |
Varies with formulation |
Generally high |
|
Odour |
Weak or neutral |
Distinct and characteristic |
|
Source |
Fossil |
Plant |
|
Storage |
Set by flash point |
Set by flash point |
The choice often follows where the fabric is going. If a natural solvent is used on odour-sensitive articles, the rinse step is tightened.
Product comparison
Comparison
| Product | Description | Application | Dosage | Temperature | Flash point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK CLEAN L | Aromatic oil stain remover | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK CLEAN L 200 | Aromatic oil stain remover | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK CLEAN L 2000 | Aromatic oil stain remover | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
Products
- DK CLEAN L
Aromatic oil stain remover working with plant-derived terpene solvent instead of a petroleum distillate.
- DK CLEAN L 200
Natural-solvent stain remover used against stubborn oil marks in spot cleaning and in bath application.
- DK CLEAN L 2000
Aromatic stain remover with high solvency, the strong grade for polymerised silicone and aged oil staining.
Common questions
Does the odour stay on the fabric?
Not if a hot rinse follows the treatment. Skip the rinse, or run it cold, and the remaining solvent shows up during drying and can be smelled on the cloth.
Is a natural solvent better for the effluent?
The biodegradability profile is usually better, but the organic load is still there. Whether it helps a given plant depends on dosage and treatment capacity; product figures come from the safety data sheet.
Can it be used on elastane blends?
These solvents do not dissolve elastane, but at high dosage and long contact they also strip the finish applied to the elastane, and the handle can stiffen. Keep the time short on elastane goods and check on a sample first.
Other families in this category
Related applications
Guides on these products
Not finding what you need?
We develop custom formulations. Tell us your process, machine type and the result you are after, and the lab will set up a trial and send a sample.