30 FABRICARE Spotting Brushes A spotting brush incorrectly used can cause fabric and color damage. Damage such as chafing, fuzzing, pilling, and fabric rupture are common occurrences when brushes are used improperly. Dye or color damage is also common when brushes are used to “scrub” the fabric with a back and forth motion. Four things are important in use of the spotting brush: 1. The force you use. 2. The angle of the bristles 3. The surface the fabric is lying on. 4. Brushing dry without the benefit of a lubricant. If you use too much force you can distort or break yarns. If the bristles do not strike the fabric squarely (all bristles striking the fabric at the same time), uneven pressure is ap- plied and yarn slippage may occur. If the fabric is on a per- forated surface or towel, the uneven absorption of the blow can cause yarn slippage. Scrubbing the fabric with a back and forth motion is not recommended for most stain removal procedures. In fact, a scrubbing action is one of the worst possible ways to use the brush. Occasional brushing to gently break away large pieces of dried mustard, dried blood, and mud stains on the fabric surface is acceptable but even then fabrics can easily be dam- aged unless a detergent or agent is applied to supply ade- quate lubrication. To avoid damage use a light tamping action (lightly tap- ping the fabric with the brush in an up and down motion). Keep the bristles vertical when you tamp. If brushing the fabric is necessary, use only the edges of the brush, and do it lightly. Always tamp or brush with the fabric lying on the solid surface of the spotting board. Never brush or tamp with the fabric over a screen or with a towel under the fabric. Spatulas A spatula is used to work spotting agents gently into a stain to help loosen the stain. It is important that the spatula be smooth and free of rough edges. Lightly massage with the spatula, do not use it to scrape or dig out a stain. Hold the spatula with a side edge flat against the fabric and slide it gently back and forth over the stain in a light massaging action. Avoid the use of the spat- ula on the face side (shiny side) of satin fabrics because per- manent fabric damage may result. Why is the Spatula Pointed? Maybe you know someone who uses the pointed tip of the spatula. Or maybe you use the tip of the spatula. In ei- ther case, you are not alone. It seems once the spatula is held in the hands an uncontrollable impulse takes over: to rub the point of the spatula across the stain. So the obvious BULLE TIN NO. 764 All of the brush bristles should strike the fabric at the same time. Incorrect method of using the brush. Proper method of holding a spatula.