SPOTS AND STAINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 243, 4 January 1928, Page 6

SPOTS AND STAINS

HINTS FOR SUMMER Summer generally brings a host of minor mishaps, such as stains of various kinds on clothes and table linen. Not only should the necessary agents be kept handy, but a list of stains and their remedies should be pinned up where anyone can consult it in need.

In most cases the stain can be removed without much trouble if treated at once; in fact, in the case of tea, coffee, or fruit stains an immediate soaking in warm water will often be enough. It must be a quick treatment, otherwise the stain will be deep-set and need mare drastic means of removal. Warm water is best, as cold will ‘"set” some kinds of stains. It is a good plan to have a tray, or oven a shelf if one can be spared, set aside to hold the necessary homely stain-removers. These will include borax, cream of tartar, salts of lemon (labelled “poisorU), oil of eucalyptus, starch, mustard, Fuller’s earth, salt, ammonia and vinegar. One of these will answer the purpose in all ordinary cases. It is suggested that the following list of directions be attached to the outfit: Tea and Coffee Stains. If possible soak immediately in warm water; otherwise spread borax over the stain, stretch the portion of material over a basin, and pour boiling water through. Repeat if necessary, rinse and dry. Fruit Stains. Spread salt over the fresh stain, then sponge with warm water. If obstinate, use salts of lemon. On coloured fabrics sponge with ammonia and then with petrol. Grass Stains. Damp with cold water and then spread on cream of tartar. Oil and Grease. These can be removed from the most delicate fabrics by gently rubbing the stained part with oil of eucalyptus. To remove grease from silk fabrics the stain should be covered with a paste of powdered magnesia and watex*. When dry, brush off gently. Perspiration Stains. Soak the stained material in cold water for 15 minutes; then rub well with a cut lemon. Leave the juice on the stain for a minute, then rinse thoroughly. After this treatment the garment may bo washed in the usual way. Mildew Stains. Soak in buttermilk; then wash and dry. Ink Stains on White Garments. One of the simplest and most efficacious treatments is to cover the mark generously with mixed mustard, allowing it to remain for a time. Then wash and boil as usual. For coloured material, warm sour milk is the safest medium to use. Salt-Water Stains on Shoes. A piece of washing-soda about the size of a marble should be dissolved in an eggeupful of hot milk, and applied whilst warm with a cloth to the stains, rubbing it well in. When the shoes have dried after this treatment, they should be cleaned with the usual polish and it will be found that the stains have disappeared. Another method of removing saltwater stains from black shoes is to rub the marks with a paste made of black lead and lemon juice. Leave this on the shoes until dry, and then brush off. Whilst talking of sea-water, it is worth while to mention that it is not at all good for unprotected leather i shoes, as it rots the stitches. If ; leather shoes, therefore, are worn on the beach it is a wise precaution to pain between the soles and the uppers with oak copal varnish, which can be obtained for a few pence from any oilshop. Since prevention is always better than cure, the household manager should see that as far as possible her family is clad in garments that can stand the damage of sea or l country.