The present invention relates generally to a rejuvenation system and kit suitable for rejuvenating textiles and fabrics, including constructed compositions which will enhance the body, luster and hand feel of the textile or fabric while brightening and cleaning each item thereof in the home.
Stains and soaked-in spots on textiles and fabrics including constructed compositions thereof such as garments and other apparel are often difficult to remove in a timely fashion or with given user requirements. The terms “textile” and “textiles” as used herein will apply to textiles, fabrics and constructed compositions thereof, such as garments or other accessories and also including household items such as drapes, furniture covers, pillow covers etc., whether made of natural or synthetic materials. Certain textiles have restrictions on the type of cleaning that can be used without damaging the material which limits user's choices in cleaning the textile such that professional cleaning is virtually required. Professional cleaning services, which provide cleaning for virtually all kinds of textiles are often time consuming, costly and historically use probable carcinogenic materials, which are soil and ground water contaminates, which ultimately can negatively affects the environment. The delay that is more or less inherent when using professional cleaning services is detrimental to stain removal. In addition, these professional cleaning services often use environmentally damaging or otherwise dangerous chemicals and processes to clean certain textile and constructed clothing. The delay involved in using professional cleaning services allows time for a stain to set so that is becomes harder to remove. In addition, over time, the traditional cleaning processes tend to wear down and give clothes a weathered or used look and feel. While some professional cleaning services use chemicals for treatments to help brighten and rejuvenate textiles, as noted above, professional cleaning services are inconvenient, expensive and use potentially toxic materials.
It would be desirable to have a rejuvenation system and kit that allows for prompt treatment of stains on any textiles regardless of the type of stain or material(s) involved and at the same time brightens and rejuvenates the textile in an at home setting.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rejuvenation system, kit and method that provides for prompt stain removal and textile rejuvenation on any kind of textile material to be used at home, including but not limited dry clean only textiles and constructed items. The system and kit provides for good stain removal and laundering for even fragile textiles while also using environmentally friendly materials. The terms “rejuvenation” and “rejeuvenate” as used in the present application include great spot removal and great general cleaning as well as brightening, whitening and providing textiles, including constructed ones, with their proper hand feel, body, luster and finish for even the most delicate of textiles including but not limited to silk, wool, cashmere and man-made compositions of synthetic nylons, rayon's and spandex textiles.
A rejuvenation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes at least one stain removing solution and at least one additive that when added to water rejuvenates and brightens the textile while enhancing the body and luster and hand feel of the textile while protecting fragile material thereof.
A rejuvenation kit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one stain removing solution, at least one additive that when added to water rejuvenates and cleans the textile while protecting fragile material thereof and a carrier configured to store and transport at least one stain removing solution, at least one stain removing tool and the at least one additive.
A method of rejuvenating a textile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes identifying a stain on the textile, removing surface stain matter from the surface of the textile, determining the composition of the stain, selecting and applying a stain removing solution based on the composition of the stain, adding at least one additive to water in a washing machine placing the textile in the water and additive in the washing machine and agitate the water and textile in the washing machine.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is described in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The system 100 (and kit 10) preferably also includes a softening conditioning agent (or softener) 20b that softens the material of the textile. This softening agent 20b, is also preferably provided in large container, but may be provided in a smaller container, or larger container, if desired. The softener 20b is used to maintain softness of the textile and to prevent static after the textile is laundered in water using the detergent 20a. It is preferable that the softener 20b be added to the washing machine after the wash cycle. The softener 20b is preferably added to the washing machine during the rinse cycle following the wash cycle. One non-limiting example of a suitable softener is Product Number 1840 from Caled Chemical of Wayne N.J. The softener 20b is also suitable for use in warm or cold water and for use on synthetic or natural fibers or textiles including both. The softener thus helps to rejuvenate the textile by aiding in restoring softness, which is necessary for the textile to be rejuvenated to its ideal hand feel and body
The system 100 (and kit 10) also preferably includes a retexturizer 20c or sizing additive, preferably also provided in a large container, but which may be provided in a container of any desired size. The retexturizer 20c aids the textile to maintain body. In an embodiment, the retexturizer 20c may be a liquid, unique composition of crosslinking agents which imparts a protective, virtually invisible file, which allows for easy pressing of the garment following cleaning. The retexturizer 20c is preferably also added to the washing machine after the wash cycle and preferably during the rinse cycle. Thus, the retexturizer helps to rejuvenate the textile by restoring body and crispness necessary for the textile to be rejuvenated to its original and ideal hand feel and body.
The detergent 20a, softener 20b and retexturizer 20c are preferably all added to water of a washing machine in which the garments are washed, regardless of the sensitivity of the material used in the textile. It is preferred that each of these substances is provided separately in either a wash or rinse cycle. These substances are all additives for water in a washing machine and provide for proper professional wet cleaning at home. These additives allow a user to wash a textile in the washing machine regardless of the specific material used in the textile, even if the textile is dry clean only textile and garment composition textile thereof.
The system 100 (and kit 10), preferably also includes a variety of stain removing solutions 20e, 20f and 20g, which are suitable for use in removing different types of stains. In a preferred embodiment, before a textile undergoes the wet cleaning procedures described above, any obvious stains are removed. In an embodiment, the stain removing solution 20e is used to remove “earth based” or tannin based stains which include alcohol/liquor, coffee, tea, fruit juices, vegetables, jelly, jam, syrup, honey and white wine. One non-limiting example of a suitable earth/tannin based cleaning solution 20e is tanecal. Tanecal is a product of Caled Chemical as well. While tanecal is suitable for use, any stain remover suitable for use on tannin based stains may be used. The second stain removing solution 20f is used to remove protein based stains such as dairy, blood, vomit and perspiration. One non-limiting example of such a protein based cleaning solution 20f is protecal. Protecal is a product of Caled Chemical as well and is suitable for use in the system 100, however, any stain removing solution suitable for use on protein based stains may be used. The third stain removing solution 20g is preferably a more universal cleaning solution and useful for removing oil based stains, including mineral oils, petroleum oils and vegetable oils. One non-limiting example of this material is ZUDS, which is also a product of Caled Chemicals, however, any stain removing solution suitable for use on oil based stains may be used. The stain removing solutions 20e, 20f, 20g are illustrated as stored in smaller containers (see
The system 100 (and kit 10) also preferably includes a bleach 20d, preferably also provided in a large container, but which can be provided in any desired container. The bleach 20d is preferably provided in powder form and can be added to water to activate the bleach in a liquid form that should be used immediately and then rinsed out of the textile. One non-limiting example of suitable bleach is sodium perborate. The system 100 (and kit 10) preferably includes an empty bottle 20h in which the bleach 20d (preferably a powder) is mixed with water. Warm water may be used to strengthen the bleach. After mixing with water, the bleach is useful in removing any stain material that remains after the textile is treated with one or more of the stain removing solutions 20e, 20f and 20g discussed above. The empty bottle 20h is preferably a smaller container, however, may be of any suitable size. The bleach 20d (power) is mixed with water and is an oxidizer to provide for deep cleaning of stains from the textile to remove stubborn stains. In general, the bleach 20d will preferably only be used in situations where the other cleaning solutions 20e, 20f and 20g have been used and the stain remains. The bleach may also be used as an additive to any wash cycle desired to add more whitening ability if desired based on what is being cleaned. It should also be noted that all of the aforementioned stain removing solutions will all rinse out with water in the wash cycle and or just with water rinse.
In an embodiment, the system 100 (and kit 10) also include at least one scrubbing brush 30 (see
All of the materials of the system 100 may be incorporated into the kit 10 by storing them in the carrier 40, which preferably includes a handle 43 to make it easy to transport. A lid 45 may be moved from an open position (see
When a user stains his or her clothes, or other textile, the system 100 (and kit 10) includes all of the substances, materials and tools necessary to remove the stain and launder the textile even if it is made of a sensitive of fragile material (including silk, wool, cashmere and any composition thereof) that would normally require professional dry cleaning.
In the next step 201, excess surface stain matter is removed from the textile, which may be accomplished using the brush 30 or the tool 32, or even a user's finger, as desired. In a third step 202, the user classifies the composition of the stain, that is, the composition of the matter forming the stain, i.e. earth/tannin based, protein based or oil based. Classification may use the characteristics discussed above. In step 204, the user selects and applies one of the stain removing solutions 20e, 20f, 20g based on the composition of the stain. It is preferred that that a white towel be placed under the stained portion of the textile on a flat surface. The white cloth will absorb, and show the stain matter transferring onto the cloth as it leaves the textile. In a preferred embodiment several drops of the selected specific stain removal formula are applied to the stain based on the stain category (Tannin, Protein, Oil) that has been identified. The stain removal formula may be worked into the stain tamping the formula into the stain with a brush, •working the formula into the stain using a bone (tool 32) or using the user's finger to massage the formula into the stain. To increase effectiveness, the stain removal formula may be left on the stain for a period of time, the longer the better. Also, additional mechanical action may be applied along with additional stain removal formula, if necessary. These methods will allow the stain removal formula formula to break down the composition of the stain and will assist in transferring the stain matter into the cloth. Be sure to readjust the white towel when removing a stain so that the stain matter on the towel does not re-apply itself to the textile.
It is noted that if a stain is composed of different types of matter, more than one of the stain removing solutions 20e, 20f, 20g may be applied in step 204. In a preferred embodiment, the solution 20g is applied first. If the stain remains, the solution 20e is applied. If the stain is still not removed, the solution 20f is applied. This is the same sequence that is used in the event the composition of the stain is unknown. At step 206, a determination is made as to whether the stain has been removed, after application of any and/or all of the cleaning solutions discussed above. If so (YES as step 206), the mild detergent 20a is added to water in a washing machine in step 207 and the textile is added to the water and detergent in step 208. When removing a stain the user should always follow with a water rinse. This may be done by taking an empty bottle, filling it with water, and rinsing any remaining particles and stain removal formulas from the stained area of the textile. If the stain has gotten lighter, but has not been completely removed, the user may repeat the steps above.
Thereafter, the textile is agitated and/or soaked at step 209, preferably by activating the washing machine to generally launder the textile while not damaging even the most fragile material. If the stain was not removed using the stain removing solutions (No at step 206), the user may apply the bleach 20d to the stain to attempt to further clean the stain at step 210. This step may include combining the powdered bleach 20d with water before applying the mixture to the stain. Preferably, the bleach is mixed such that 2 parts warm/hot water are added to 1 part bleach powder in the empty bottle, creating a paste. The paste is applied to the remaining stained area with the bone (tool 32) and is set aside to sit for 20 minutes before being added to the wash cycle of a washing machine. Light-colored garments can be placed in a higher temperature wash cycle for more effective results. The remaining bleach paste may be added to the wash cycle, if desired.
Thereafter, the textile is laundered as in steps 207-209. Step 206 may be skipped, if desired such that after the stain removing solution is applied, the textile is laundered as in steps 207-209 regardless of the status of the stain. All stain compositions may not be from one single stain group/category and any stain with more than one stain group is considered a combination stain. An unknown stain can include up to all three stain group properties (1—Earth based stains, 2—Protein based stains and 3—oil based stains), however, following the above steps in their order will ensure good results. If an unknown stain and or any combination stain is not addressed methodically in the proper steps and sequences discussed above, using the wrong formula out of sequence may actually set the stain and prevent proper removal.
There are several common staining substances that represent combinations stains. The following Table 1 identifies these substances and the preferred stain removing formulas to use in removing them as well as the preferred order of application of the formulas.
In a preferred embodiment, the softener 20b and/or retexturizer 20c may be added to the washing machine as desired, preferably after the detergent 20a has been rinsed, i.e. after agitation in the washing machine, however, they may be added with the detergent 20a, if desired. This may be done with the detergent 20a, or after a wash and rinse cycle with the detergent has been completed. In this manner, the textile is rejuvenated at home both in look and feel using a conventional washing machine in a manner that is safe for even sensitive or fragile materials that usually require and or professional dry cleaning methods. The system 100 (and kit 10) includes all of the materials necessary to allow a user's washing machine to be used to provide professional dry cleaning results and rejuvenation of textiles without the cost of professional cleaning. As a result, textiles such as garments can be cleaned faster and there is less chance for stains to set in, even if they are made of a dry clean only material. Thus a more efficient, environmentally friendly and greener way of rejuvenating any textile material.
The system 100 (and kit 10), therefore allows a user to use dry cleaning type cleaning agents and tools and to provide professional cleaning results at home, or any other location, without the additional cost and time required when professional dry cleaners are used for cleaning. Thus, the user has the option to immediately or at least quickly attack a stain and further launder the textile regardless of the content of the textile. In addition as it is customary for most dry cleaners to dry clean your items first with staining matter on your textiles where it will undergo a long rigorous cleaning cycle of at least 15 to 20 minutes which will create unnecessary mechanical action which wears out ones textiles and shortens the life expectancy by over half the normal life expectancy in addition in the drying cycle which is even longer 30 to a minimum of 45 minutes will also add to not only the shortening the life expectancy of your textiles but the extreme heat from the drying cycle will set in most stains when they can easily come out when they are recent and fresh.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.