“A Study on the Effectiveness of Citrofortunella microcarpa and Citrus limon in Removing Hard

Stains”

A. Introduction

Stains are stubborn issues of laundry. It is known to be one of the causing difficulties in

washing clothes. It causes discoloration, sticks to the fabric and slowly destroys the clothes

making it a dilemma for some people who want neat clothes. Stains are usually formed when the

staining substance, which is usually a liquid or chemical, is spilled onto the surface or material. It

is then trapped in the fibers, indentations, or pores of the clothes. The surface stain that is trapped

coats the underlying fabric material, and it reflects back the light and its color making it different

to look at from the fabric. People get surface stains once in a while because of business and

clumsiness but others get stains in certain degree that it is difficult to remove and leaves a mark

for a long period of time.

There are several stain removing agents that are out in the market. Each one promises to

remove stains completely and quickly as possible. In the Philippines, where there are many

alternatives to removing stains, people can always find affordable stain removing agents. One of

the cheaper and practical alternative staining removers is Citrus fruits. Citrus fruit is typically

different from other staining agents like bleaches, and ordinary solvents such as water.

These cheap agents are usually found in the kitchen of every Filipino. It is also found in

markets and groceries, or one can even grow Citrus fruits the backyard since it can be propagated

in a tropical climate.
 In this connection, the researchers are persuaded to look into the topic for academic

research purposes. This topic has been subjected to investigation by many researchers and most

of the study is focused on lemon and other citrus fruits commonly found in foreign countries.

This study will focus on Lemon and Calamansi, which is commonly found in the Philippines,

especially in Cebu. While many researchers focus on the components of a certain citrus fruit and

its bleaching properties; this will be an experimental study testing the effectiveness of Lemon

and Calamansi as a stain removing agent. Cost and time is also the reason why this research is

conducted. It is less time consuming and not costly. This research will give new knowledge and

information that could possibly be extracted from the experiment. In addition, future researchers

can use this as a basis for their studies.

B. Background of the study

Some of the problems that we face during laundry are tough stains from chocolate, blood,

rusts and the like. These stains usually tarnish our clothes. It can also destroy the quality of the

fabric depending on the degree of stains. There are detergents and substances that remove stains.

However, many substances that will remove stains sometimes cause fabrics to deteriorate or

affect dye or finishes. Amidst the detergents and powders that we are accustomed to using, there

is a cheaper and practical alternative which will not only remove stains but penetrate its nature

and in the fabric.

Stains that are easily removed have a nature that it doesn’t really penetrate the fibers of the

fabric. It only stays on the surface of the clothes and it only needs ordinary stain removers.

Meanwhile, stains that are difficult to remove needs a stronger stain remover since the stain has

imbedded itself inside the fibers and pores of the fabric. Difficult-to-remove stains are stains that
respond gradually. According to Mendelson (2005) “Some stains will respond gradually so that

you will have to apply your remedy a half dozen or more times before you are completely

successful”.

The most commonly used stain removers available in the market are bleaches, citrus fruits and

ordinary solvents. Ordinary solvents are also used as stain removal agents. The usual ordinary

solvent commonly used is water. However, some stains are strong enough to remain in the fibers

of the fabric. In order to remove those stains, these solvents are usually employed with

detergents in hard stains such as oily or greasy stains.

While bleaches have been commonly used as an alternative to expensive detergents, another

commonly used stain remover is citrus fruits since it is much cheaper and more commonly seen

in houses.

Citrus fruits are often employed as cleaning agents for stains, but in this study, we shall focus on

Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) which are highly acidic citrus

fruits that contain citric acid.

Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa), which is indigenous in the Philippines, is one of the fruit

crops of the country. The products of Calamansi: concentrates, purees, syrups, and juices are

used as a flavoring agent to further enhance iron absorption. According to Morton, the extracted

juice, with the addition of gum tragacanth as an emulsifier, is pasteurized and bottled

commercially then it is used to bleach ink stains from fabrics and serves as a body deodorant in

the Philippines (1987, p. 176-178). Calamansi is usually abundant from June to October. It is

cheaper than bleaches (Like hydrogen peroxide which costs Php 18.00 per bottle) and stain
remover detergents (which usually costs Php 35.00). It costs Php 1.50 to Php 3.00 per Calamansi

fruit but it is usually bought in kilograms which costs Php 50 to Php 80. It is stored at 8.89º-10º

C. Pests also plague this fruit like fruit flies. Calamansi may be susceptible to attacks by other

pests and diseases that could affect Citrus fruits such as crinkly leaf, exocortis, psorosis,

xyloporosis and tristeza, but they are immune to canker and scab. Calamansi has 5.52% Citric

acid concentration.

In Asia, Lemon (Citrus limon) is a native citrus fruit. It is good in tolerating infertile and poor

soils especially in the tropics. Lemons are harvested during mid-July to October It costs Php

16.00 and Php 25.00 which is much cheaper than bleaches and detergents by Php 2.00 to Php

29.00. Storage of Lemons is at 13.33º-14.4º C. One of the pests that plague lemon is ants which

attack the root system. It has 5-6% Citric acid concentration.

Citric acids also have mild bleaching action useful for removing certain kinds of stains. Among

the fruit acids used in beverage, food, pharmaceutical, textile, metal, chemical and other

industries, Citric acid plays an exceptional role. Citric acid is commercially used and produced

worldwide. The acid widely occurs in variety of fruits and vegetables, especially in citrus fruits

(juice content 7-9%) and is responsible for their tart taste (Apelblat, 2014. p.1).
C. Statement of the Problem

The study specifically aims to answer the following questions:

 Based on Miralles (2012) how effective are the extract from Calamansi (Citrofortunella

microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) in removing the following stains on white

clothing?

o rust from metals

o chocolate stain

o ink stains (from ballpen)

o ketchup stains

 How effective is the Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon)

extracts in removing stains based on Duncan-Modeste (2011) below?

o degree of whiteness of the result

o time and convenience of application

o amount of extract needed to remove the stain

D. Objectives of the study

This part of the study the intended aims of the researchers is exposed. That will help

the readers identify easily and specifically the main point in conducting this research project.

The main objectives of this study are to:

 contribute further knowledge about removing hard stains in clothes without

fading or damaging it using Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and

Lemon (Citrus limon)

  assess the chances of Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon

(Citrus limon) as an alternative and organic products in exchange of

detergents and bleaches in removing hard stains

 test the effectiveness of Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon

(Citrus limon) in removing hard stains

E. Hypothesis

Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) especially Lemon

is widely known to be an effective product for anything because of the versatility of its

components which results to its flexible uses. If Calamansi and Lemon will be combined

which both acidic that contains citric acids, this will show the high probability that it will be

an effective solution in removing hard stains.

F. Methodology

This study uses the qualitative-quantitative style of research for its reliance on hard

data from the number of trials and time duration of each trials and starts with a general topic

about Citrus fruits as stain removers. The researcher used Calamansi (Citrofortunella

microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) extracts as regards its effectiveness against different

stains on a white clothing.

Research Subject

The subjects of this study were the rust from metals, chocolate stains, ink stains (from

ballpen), and ketchup stains. Each of these stains will be treated with the extracts mentioned

as a stain remover and left them for a period of time or until the stain will remove.
Research Tool

The researchers used four same white cloth (same brand and type of fabric) to each

stain with the same amount. They also used a dropper to get the required amount of the

extracts and dropped it directly to the stains being tested. The amount of each two extracts

was 5 ml. The researchers also used a timer for each stain in order to tabulate the time

allotted for the extracts to remove the stains.

Research Procedure

Gathering of Data. The researchers utilized a stratified sampling procedure. Four

stains were selected because mostly, these stains are hard to be removed and the usual stains

that people get. To ensure the consistency of the experiment, the researchers selected four

white cloth that have the same brand and type of fabric.

From the experiment, the researchers tabulated the duration of the two extracts in

removing the stains of the four-white cloth.

Treatment of data. The information from the experiment was analyzed and recorded

based on the first problem. The first problem was presented through observations from the

time the stain was added with the extract until the time the stain already faded. The

researchers repeated the procedure to the same white shirt and stain. Then, they tallied how

many times they did the trials, and the duration or time of the trials. The amount of extracts

was constant at 5 ml. Secondly, the average time was calculated by adding all the time of

each trials. The same procedure above was also done to the other stains. The percentages of

each stains were computed then ranked. Lastly, it was presented in a tabular form with the

frequency, percentage and rank of the results.

 After we have realized the first problem, answers to the second problem will follow.

The results were the idea and support for the researchers answer for each problems and sub-

problems.

G. Scope and Delimitations

This study is limited to the Study on the Effectiveness of Citrofortunella microcarpa

and Citrus limon in Removing Hard Stains, conducted at the Notre Dame of Esperanza,

Incorporated, Saliao, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

H. Significance of the study

This study is significant to the following sectors: to the community, to the soap and

detergent industry, and to the future chemist researchers.

To the community. The study will contribute to the community’s knowledge in using

organic citrus substances in their daily laundry. This will benefit the community by

decreasing the cost and expenditures particularly on stain removal solutions by providing a

much cheaper alternative.

To the soap and detergent industry. This study impacts the soap and detergent

industry progressively by providing innovative information about Calamansi (Citrofortunella

microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) extracts having stain removing properties. The results

obtained by the researchers will benefit this sector by incorporating the new knowledge into

their soap and detergent formula.

 To the future researchers. Those researchers with topics aligned with stain removing

properties of Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) and Lemon (Citrus limon) extracts

could benefit from this study by using this literature as one of their resources.

I. Definition of Terms

The researchers provided the definitions of each terms below that were used during the

research.

Citric acid - refers to a white powder occurring especially in citrus fruits: used chiefly in

flavorings and pharmaceuticals.

Citrus - refers to any small tree or spiny shrubs of the genus Citrus, of the rue family,

including lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, citron, kumquat, and shaddock

(Universal College Dictionary, 2001).

Extract - refers to a substance obtained from a mixture, as by pressure, distillation, or

treatment with solvents.

Fabric - refers to a cloth made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers.

Fiber - refers to a threadlike piece, as of cotton, jute, or asbestos.

Rust - refers to a red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron or metal when

exposed to air and moisture.