Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

tâche propre

English translation:

\"clean spot\" effect

Added to glossary by claude-andrew
Jul 22, 2011 17:21
12 yrs ago
French term

tâche propre

French to English Other Automotive / Cars & Trucks cleaning leather seats
Instructions for using a leather stain removal product:

Sur des surfaces claires, finissez le nettoyage en essuyant avec un chiffon humide et avec des mouvements réguliers de l’intérieur vers l’extérieur, évitant ainsi l’effet **‘tache propre’**.

It's obvious what it means, but any ideas for an English expression or rephrasing?

Discussion

Martin Cassell Jul 22, 2011:
"eigenstain" goes down well with the physicist in my household
claude-andrew (asker) Jul 22, 2011:
Thanks for that, Chris - indeed, yes, an "eigenstain" is beautifully elegant. Oh, sorry about the bloomin' circumflex ... By the way, my wife has just suggested "leave a mark" too.
chris collister Jul 22, 2011:
As an ex-mathematician, I might be tempted to translate this an "eigenstain". Well, maybe not... But I wonder if "self-generated stain/mark" would cover it? Or rephrasing as "to avoid leaving a mark due to the wiping action itself", or some such reworking? And, of course, "tache" not "tâche"...

Proposed translations

+1
4 hrs
French term (edited): effet "tache propre"
Selected

"clean spot" effect

they presumably mean the effect of the newly-cleaned bit standing out from the surrounding not-stained-but-not-cleaned area; hence the recommended centre-outwards technique, to help it blend with its surroundings.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2011-07-22 21:50:10 GMT)
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Example from a similar context:
"Make sure to clean entire rooms at a time. If you clean only one spot you risk creating a clean spot. One area will be noticably cleaner than the rest of the floor. To avoid this, it's best to clean everything."
[http://www.hingmy.com/content.php?45-How-to-deep-clean-your-...]

and one from a not-so-similar context (but comparable in a way):
"Actually, in some homes a clean spot stands out more than blood spatter. I know that sounds far-fetched but it’s true. It’s the first thing I look for after considering the information I have about the crime (i.e. he was stabbed in the living room). But if there isn’t a clean spot then it’s likely there was no clean-up."
[http://forensics4fiction.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/cleaning-b...]

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Note added at 6 hrs (2011-07-22 23:28:49 GMT)
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an example talking specifically about upholstery:
"Solvents must be properly used or there may be a "clean spot" or a noticeable ring left on the fabric."
"If your upholstered furniture requires cleaning, please call a professional service. They carry special cleaning agents, know how to apply them, and know how to prevent leaving a "clean spot." "
[http://www.calicocorners.com/category/designer fabrics for t...]
Note from asker:
Thanks Martin, this looks like it.
Peer comment(s):

neutral Claire Nolan : I think spot means area in your examples, and not the ''tache'' type of spot.
1 hr
yes, probably so: but I'm not claiming "spot" as an exact translation of "tache" as such -- rather the whole phrase as an idiomatic response in EN to the same circumstance.
agree chris collister : I think this is probably it. A marvellous example of the ambiguity of "propre", and the almost poetic, but oxymoronic "clean stain"
10 hrs
thanks Chris
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks Martin!"
+2
35 mins

streaky effect

streak·y/ˈstrēkē/Adjective
1. Having streaks of different colors or textures:
2. Variable in quality; not predictable or reliable:

Streaky as in one bit looks clean and the other doesn't because it hasn't been applied as per instructions
Note from asker:
Nice idea, Reeny, but "streaky" doesn't quite describe the effect; it's more of an area than a "streak"
Peer comment(s):

agree philgoddard : Very good! I wouldn't have thought of that.
33 mins
Thanks Phil!
agree piazza d
2 hrs
Thank you Piazza!
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+1
1 hr

cleaned up stain

Where the upholstery is already a bit soiled you may need to clean the rest of the fabric to avoid the cleaned up stain from standing out, let it dry out first to see how it looks.

http://www.blog.officechairadvice.com/category/tip-of-the-we...
Peer comment(s):

agree cc in nyc : Also see "Finally, place a few paper towels over the cleaned-up stain overnight with a heavy book on top to press out any hidden liquid" http://www.homefurnishings.com/category/learn/faq/article/fu...
2 hrs
Thanks for that other reference!
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