Wet-side Spotting Agents

Wet-side pre-cleaning/spotting agents are used to clean water soluble stains from clothing. Wet-side agents can be subdivided into three different classes: neutral, alkaline, and acidic.

 

Neutral Wet-Side Agents – Neutral spotting agents include water and neutral synthetic detergents (which contain surfactants). These agents are used to remove water-soluble stains, food, beverages and water-soluble dyes.

 

Alkaline Wet-Side Agents – Alkaline spotting agents include lye, ammonia, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and so-called protein formula home detergents. Protein formula detergents contain digester enzymes – Amylase, Cellulase, Lipase and Protease. Digesters can be used to remove: starch, cellulose, fats and oils, and protein stains.

 

Acidic Wet-Side Agents – Acid agents include acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid and sulfuric acid. Tannin or plant-based stains can be removed with wet-side spotting agents also known as tannin formula agents.