Stains-And How to Deal With Them

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7084, 5 December 1929, Page 11

Stains-And How to Deal With Them

“Tubproof ” and , “sunfast” are welcome terms to the housewife’s ear, and we even hear rumours of “spotproof stockings,” while the ‘'ductless duster” is an inmate of many a home. The question of stains, however is not so easily dealt wiith, for, although manufacturers can “proof” their silks to resist the rain, and can strengthen their dyes against sunshine and water, they have not yet evolved a fabric superior to the evils of ink, grease or tar. Until this happy time arrives the housewife baa to seek the aid of many a lotion and bleaching agent, and the following hints may aid her in her weary search: —

In every cose there are two things to consider: (1) The type of material; and (2) the nature of the stain. If the 'second essential is unknown it is best to sponge the stain gently with dean, cold or with warm water. Bemove a stain as soon as possible, as the longer it is left tho more difficult it is to remove. Stains should be removed before any garment is put into the family washtub, as some stains, such as strong tea, are “set” by the action of soap, while others, such as iironmould, spread if they touch another part of the material. Simple methods’—water, sunshine, borax, and lemon juice should be tried before recourse is had to strong chemicals, and no strong acids, alkalis or bleaching liquors should ever be used on coloured articles or on woollen ot silk fabrics.

Tea and coffee stains on white table linen can generally be removed by ■boiling. On other white' material® —if the stain is fresh—wash first in cold water, then pour boiling water through the part before it dries; if the stain is dry use boiling water and borax. Sireteh the strained part over a basin and pour the boiling water through, spread borax thinly over the stain, and pour on more boiling water. If not successful try (a) a solution of washing soda ,(3oz. to a pint), or (b) bleaching

I liquor diluted with three times its bulk lof water. Soak for a few minutes, and as soon as the stain disappears wash out the chemical. Bleaching liquor.—Quarter pound chloride of lime, 2m. washing soda, and one quart of water. Dissolve the soda in hot water; when cool add the lime and mix welh Allow the lime to settle. Strain off carefully through a pieco of calico. Bottle, cork securely and keep away from the light: If required to bleach discoloured cotton and linen article®, dilute with six times its bulk of water. Soak the articles in the solution for an hour, and then wash; boil and dry iu the sun. This liquor must never be used on coloured silk or wool materials. Lime is apt to damage any delicate fabric, but this solution is the least harmful method of using it as a bleaching agent. For tea or coffee stains on coloured wool and silk materials, either treat with borax and warm (not boiling) water, or else soak in cold water and rub with glycerine. Grass and FloweT Stains: Bub with methylated spirit, benzine or petrol, being careful to do this away from fire or artificial light. Wash in clear water before using soap . . Ink stains on white cotton or linen if fresh, should be soaked in warm sour mi,tv, <xr buttermilk, or soaked in leinon juice. Then waah, boil, and bleach in the sun. Ir old, treat with salts of leanon applied in the same way as borax in “tea and coffee stains” on table linen. (Saits of lemon is a poison, and should be clearly labelled and kept out of the way of children.) Ink stains on coloured wool or silk material can be (a) soaked in lemon juice or cream of tartar moistened with warm water; (b) dabbed with peroxide of hydrogen, to which has been added a few drops of ammonia (equal parts of peroxide and ammonia can be used; or (c) for fast colour® a dilute solution of salt? of lemon can be used .

Ironmould stains should be treated like old ink stains.

Mildew, which makes its- appearance in ugly spots on cotton and linen, is caused by damp conditions, which have favoured the growth of mould:. It is

often seen on starched articles left aside for ironing, as the mould feeds on the starch in the material. To treat mildew (1) wash, boil and soap well, spread with a paste of French chalk, and put in the sun to bleach. Repeat several times if necessary; (2) If not successful use bleaching liquor. Fruit and Wine Stains: (a) Spread salt over the stain while still wet, and than wash and boil in the usual way; (to) treat with borax aa for tea and coffee stains; (c) if the stain has "boiled in” use salts of lemon applied just as borax in "tea and coffee stains on linen”; (d) use bleaching liquor. The type of material will determine which method is best.

Paint stains on white cotton and linen. Soak in turpentine for half an hour. Rub well and boil with kerosene in the wateT (one tablespoonful to the gallon.) Paint on wool, silk or coloured fabrics can be removed by (1) dipping in turpentine or sponging with it; (2) rubbing gently with a weak ammonia solution; or (3) washing in warm soapy water.