DIY Network

Royal Road Trip: Dial Center for Innovation Royal Road Trip: Dial Center for Innovation From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-132

Figure A

It takes trial and error to come up with the correct recipe to remove a spot or clean a countertop, and for every load of laundry that goes into the washer there is usually one stain that commands special attention (figure A). Detergent doesn't always have the strength to remove stubborn stains. That's when you need high-powered help.

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Creating stain-removing recipes is all in a day's work for the staff at the Dial Center for Innovation, where they practice the science of stain-removal. The process begins with a consumer phone call to the center for information on stain-removal. Consumer input is key in the input of new products; if several people call requesting information on similar stain problems, the staff notifies Dr. John Billman, who with his staff of experts begins work on the solution to the problem.

Figure B

In order to create an effective spot-remover, it has to work on the 16 most common spots. The most frequent stains and spots are tomato-based, including tomato sauce and ketchup. Next come animal blood, ink, grass, dirt, chocolate and condiment stains, fats and oils, coffee, grape juice, makeup, lipstick, very heavy ring around the collar, tea and motor oil (figure B). The doctor and his team not only have to stay one step ahead of the favorite food that will eventually land on a favorite outfit, they also have to deal with stains on new types of fabrics, which also pose challenges.

First, a new stain-removal solution is mixed in the lab from only safe ingredients. Most removers are composed of detergent and polymers, with enzymes added for cleaning. Next, scientists in the lab add fragrances and thickeners, and with a promising formula in hand they head to the laundry room for product testing. In the laundry room, they have stains on poly-cotton fabrics (the stains are not intended to be removed -- instead, they're intended to show the cleaning difference between products).

	Figure C
	Figure D

The stains are treated with the new stain-remover solution. To test the fabric the way it would be washed at home, 10 identical machines wash 100 loads a week, testing 25,000 stains a year (figure C). When each load is finished, the swatches are evaluated under multiple lighting situations (figure D). The stains are still there, but they are supposed to be; these super stains allow evaluators to compare how one stain-remover performed against another.

This visual inspection is backed up by a digital inspection. A technician scans the swatches in multiple areas to record an accurate set of readings. If the stain tests go well and a recipe gets rid of the stain entirely, the recipe then goes through a stress test to make sure it can stand up to transpiration and storage. The solution is frozen and thawed five times, then heated to 120 degrees to make sure it doesn't break down in different conditions. Even the bottles are tested to make sure they spray correctly. Team members also test the bottles in their shipping boxes to simulate their trip to the neighborhood store, making sure they survive the trip intact.

When the product-development team feels confident it has a winner, consumer testing takes place. The stain remover is created in batches large enough for a 500- to 1000-person test. At the end of this lengthy testing process, if the testers like the stain remover, it is produced in volume and ends up on grocery-store shelves. Then the customer-information center staff gets to relax -- until people come up with the next food or fabric stain brings new phone calls and a fresh challenge.

Q: How do you remove permanent marking-pen ink from fabric car upholstery?

A: As the markers state, this is often a permanent stain. Try rubbing alcohol on the stain. If that doesn't work, try denatured alcohol in an inconspicuous spot. Or purchase a product called Ink Away and use according to directions. Flush the stained area with club soda after using stain-removers to remove any residue.

Q: What's the best way to clean soiled leather chairs?

A: Wash the leather with a moisturizing bath soap. Do not rinse the leather, just keep applying soap with a clean cloth until the surface is clean, then buff with a clean, dry cloth. The moisturizers in the soap will help condition the leather. You can also use a product called Leather CPR, which is a cleaner and conditioner that can be used on any color leather.

Q: How do you remove graphite from white carpet?

A: First, never rub when trying to remove graphite from carpet: rubbing pushes it deeper into the carpet fiber. The best approach is to use the suction hose on the vacuum cleaner. Never use the beater bars, which also drive the stain into the carpet. Apply a good carpet spotter or try 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide combined with 1 teaspoon ammonia. Apply, allow to set on the stain, then blot the area.