Question for chemis...
 

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[Closed] Question for chemists about clothes washing

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I got some Stans spilled on a pair of shorts. Is there any way to dissolve latex?


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 8:57 pm
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I would imagine that a fair few organic solvents would dissolve latex. How easily you can get hold of them is a different story - I'd try maybe nail varnish remover (Butyl or ethyl acetate...scraping the barrel here... 😕 ) or maybe acetone, or longer chain alkanes...e.g. Hexane or Octane. Hell, try petrol if you have some. That's what my mum always did.

EDIT: Aren't there stories of organic lubricants dissolving condoms? Which is why you're always supposed to use water based ones.

RE-EDIT: I did really used to be a chemist once. 🙂


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 9:08 pm
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All I can remember is that soap scum is C17H35COONa.

Does that help?


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 9:20 pm
 poly
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Natural latex (which is what I assume is in stans) is not one simple molecule that you can easily predict solubility for. Latex will dissolve in some things - but many of those things would remove colour (or damage the fabric!) of the shorts. They are also likely to be expensive to get your hands on unless you have a sneaky supply - in which case you probably wouldn't be asking here!

If they were very important or valuable shorts I'd take them to the dry cleaners.


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 9:55 pm
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Have you looked on the web molgrips?

The suggestions seem to be isopropyl alcohol or hairspray...


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 10:01 pm
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Leave 'em be - the "jizzy rascal" look is bang on trend currently molgrips


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 10:07 pm
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Any decent dry cleaner will be able to sort it for you, they have lists of all the usual stains and the appropriate solvents.


 
Posted : 14/08/2013 5:54 am
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Hmmmm, Stans you say, in/on your shorts you say... Now then Moly, Mrs Moly will be very angry when she finds out what you've been up to (again) 🙂


 
Posted : 14/08/2013 7:11 am

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