Mysterious Stains after Dry Cleaning

Q: Why did a yellow (tan or brown) stain mysteriously appear on a garment after I had it dry cleaned?

A: When a faint yellow (all the way to a rust or brown colored stain) shows up on your garment, it is typically due to the garment’s contact with beverages or food that contain sugars or tannin. After the spill evaporates, only an invisible residue remains. Over a period of time, this residue oxidizes and turns the residue yellowish and noticeable. If you spill on your clothing, immediately take the garment to your cleaners and point out the area of the spill so they can dry clean it immediately.