Dry Cleaning Hints

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 14

Dry Cleaning Hints

yELVET or velveteen that has been spotted by rain should be covered with a damp cloth—a small sheet or thin towel, wrung out of warm water, is best—and have a very hot iron drawn over without actually touching it. The iron must be very hot in order to create steam but it must not press on the velvet. Chiffon or georgette spotted with rain can be treated in a somewhat similar manner, but the iron must not be quite so hot and should be pressed carefully on the garment. Stains on any other material may be rubbed, very lightly, with eucalyptus oil, then sponged gently with warm water. This treatment is for spots of which you do not know the origin. Marks on unwasliable materials should be rubbed gently with a clean cloth moistened with ammonia and water, in equal parts. Rub from outside the stain to the centre. Eau-de-Cologne will often loosen stains in delicate material but it must be diluted with water. Coloured embroidery and soiled collars of coloured clothes can be cleaned by mixing Fuller's earth or sifted French chalk to a smooth paste with raw alcohol, eau-de-Cologne, or methylated spirit. A small quantity of alcohol can be bought from the chemist, but great care must be taken in dealing with it as it gives off an inflammable and explosive vapour. Spread the paste over the part to be cleaned, cover with several layers of clean tissue paper and roll up for a day or so. Then brush off all trace of the paste. “Shine” on serge can be removed by sponging with warm vinegar, or with warm strained tea. This, of course, only applies to very dark coloured serge or cloth. Press on the wrong side, or under a damp cloth. Add two or three tablespoons of paraffin to the water in which white clothes are being washed, and it will remove dirt and stains and keep them a good colour. A pound of alum dissolved in three gallons of water will provide a harmless solution for washing raincoats. Do not use soap. Rubbing over chintz with a soft flannel dipped in warmed bran will remove a “grubby” look