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A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. Stains are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials. Stains are used intentionally in a variety of fields, including in research
Research

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of matter. The primary purpose for applied research is discovery , interpretation , and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe....
 (biochemical staining
Staining (biology)

Staining is an auxiliary technique used in microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image.In biochemistry it involves adding a class-specific dye to a substrate to qualify or quantify the presence of a specific compound....
), technology
Technology

Technology is a broad concept that deals with an animal species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects an animal species' ability to control and adapt to its Natural environment....
 (metal staining), and art
Art

Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music and literature....
 (wood staining, stained glass
Stained glass

For the Blackford Oakes novel, see Stained Glass The term stained glass can refer to the material of coloured glass or the craft of working with it....
.)

e can be intentional stains (such as wood stains or paint), indicative stains (like food coloring or adding a substance to make bacteria visible under a microscope), natural stains (such as rust on iron or a patina on bronze), and accidental stains (like spilling ketchup on your shirt.) While the types of stains are very different in application, they all form in the same basic ways:

The primary method of stain formation is surface stains, where the staining substance is spilled out onto the surface or material and is trapped in the fibers, pores, indentations or other capillary structure of that surface.






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A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. Stains are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials. Stains are used intentionally in a variety of fields, including in research
Research

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of matter. The primary purpose for applied research is discovery , interpretation , and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe....
 (biochemical staining
Staining (biology)

Staining is an auxiliary technique used in microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image.In biochemistry it involves adding a class-specific dye to a substrate to qualify or quantify the presence of a specific compound....
), technology
Technology

Technology is a broad concept that deals with an animal species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects an animal species' ability to control and adapt to its Natural environment....
 (metal staining), and art
Art

Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music and literature....
 (wood staining, stained glass
Stained glass

For the Blackford Oakes novel, see Stained Glass The term stained glass can refer to the material of coloured glass or the craft of working with it....
.)

Formation

There can be intentional stains (such as wood stains or paint), indicative stains (like food coloring or adding a substance to make bacteria visible under a microscope), natural stains (such as rust on iron or a patina on bronze), and accidental stains (like spilling ketchup on your shirt.) While the types of stains are very different in application, they all form in the same basic ways:

The primary method of stain formation is surface stains, where the staining substance is spilled out onto the surface or material and is trapped in the fibers, pores, indentations or other capillary structure of that surface. The material that is trapped coats the underlying material, and the stain reflects back light according to its own color. Applying paint, spilled food, and wood stains are of this nature.

A secondary method of stain involves a chemical or molecular reaction between the material and the staining material. Many types of natural stains fall into this category. Finally, there can also be molecular attraction between the material and the staining material, involving being held in a covalent bond and showing the color of the bound substance.

Different types of material can be stained by different substances, and stain resistance is an important characteristic in modern textile engineering
Textile engineering

Textile engineering or textile technology deals with the application of Science and engineering principles to the design and control of all aspects of fiber, textile, and apparel processes, products, and machinery....
.

In many cases, stains can be affected by heat , and may become reactive enough to bond with the underlying material. Extreme heat, such as from ironing or dry cleaning, can cause a chemical reaction on an otherwise removable stain, turning it into a chemical compound that is impossible to remove.

Removal

Various laundry
Laundry

Laundry is the act of washing clothing and linens....
 techniques exist to attempt to remove or minimize existing stains, and stain removers are an important type of chemical in laundry detergent
Laundry detergent

Laundry detergent, or washing powder, is a substance which is a type of detergent that is added when one is washing laundry to aid in getting the laundry cleaner....
s. Some stand-alone stain removers also exist. If the stain is non-greasy use cold water, as soon as possible, to remove it.

See also

  • Don Aslett
    Don Aslett

    Donald Andrew Aslett is an United States entrepreneur, author and public speaker who specializes in cleaning and housekeeping products, services, and techniques....
  • Dye
    Dye

    A dye can generally be described as a colored substance that has an Chemical affinity to the Wiktionary:substrate to which it is being applied....
  • Michael Quinn
    Michael Quinn

    Michael Quinn may refer to:*Mick Quinn , English musician*Micky Quinn , English footballer*D. Michael Quinn , American Historian*Mick Quinn ...
  • Paint
    Paint

    Paint is any liquid, liquifiable, or mastic composition which after application to a Substrate in a thin layer is converted to an opaque solid film....


Further Reading

  • Stain & Spot Removal Handbook: Consumer guide. by the editors of Consumer Guide.. Skokie, Ill:Beekman House, 1981. 9780517316832
  • Zia, Stephanie. Stain Removal. London: Hamlyn, 2005.Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Sterling Pub. Co., 2005. 9780600611240
  • Soto, Anne MarieStain Rescue!: The A-Z Guide to Removing Smudges, Spots & Other Spills By Good Housekeeping Institute (New York, N.Y.). Published by Sterling Publishing Company, 2007 ISBN
  • Mendelson, Cheryl Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens Simon and Schuster, 2005 ISBN 9780743271455