Hi all – I've been reading up on Stoddard solvent, and it seems like a great option for cleaning some machines and even paper (I want to try dry cleaning some dirty paper money). But I'm having trouble locking down exactly what it is, and whether it's always labeled as "Stoddard solvent". I'm seeing claims that lighter fluid is Stoddard solvent, or that charcoal lighter fluid is, and that it's the same as "mineral spirits" or Type 1 mineral spirits.
Are all those really Stoddard solvent? Should I be looking specifically for something labeled as Stoddard? Where are the best places to look?
I've also read that there is an odorless version, and a high flashpoint version (140 F). Do these tweaks affect its solvent performance at all?
Thanks.
p.s. I liked this old academic paper on using Stoddard to gently dry clean clean museum fabrics. It was used in commercial dry cleaning for decades, before perc, and alongside perc as a gentler option. It's amazing that such a powerful solvent doesn't harm fabrics at all.
Are all those really Stoddard solvent? Should I be looking specifically for something labeled as Stoddard? Where are the best places to look?
I've also read that there is an odorless version, and a high flashpoint version (140 F). Do these tweaks affect its solvent performance at all?
Thanks.
p.s. I liked this old academic paper on using Stoddard to gently dry clean clean museum fabrics. It was used in commercial dry cleaning for decades, before perc, and alongside perc as a gentler option. It's amazing that such a powerful solvent doesn't harm fabrics at all.