Q: After laundering and pressing a shirt several times, sometimes a dark spot appears along the seams where the glue is showing. It’s more noticeable on colored shirts than on white. Is this a manufacturer’s problem, or is there something I can do?
A: There are two separate problems concerning discolorations caused by adhesive migration during laundering and finishing. Many shirts contain a fusible interfacing that imparts structure to the collar, cuffs and placard areas. If the adhesive binder is faulty, the areas of the shirt that contain the fusible interfacing may develop a discoloration (black specks or an overall darkening of the fused areas).
During fabrication, manufacturers often apply adhesives to the seam areas of shirts in order to speed production. If the adhesive binder doesn’t cure correctly, a darkening of the seamed areas (usually at the seams that connect the sleeves to the body) can occur after laundering and finishing.
The failure of an adhesive binder can occur either during the initial laundering of the shirt, or after a number of launderings. Read and follow the care-label instructions, since the adhesive binders in some shirts may not be able to tolerate extreme laundering or finishing temperatures.
A number of manufacturers have had issues concerning the serviceability of the adhesives used in their shirts. The National Cleaners Association’s (NCA) National Center for Garment Analysis has been working with these manufacturers in an attempt to correct problems. NCA members can find more information on these and other problem garments at the association’s website, www.nca-i.com.Have a processing problem? Click here to Ask The Expert!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].