FRUIT STAINS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VIII, 23 February 1895, Page 188

FRUIT STAINS.

SOME THAT will come out and others that cannot BE REMOVED. As the fruit season waxes it becomes burdensome to keep napery spotless. Who has not beheld with dismay one’s favourite damask hopelessly discoloured with peach, cherry and berry stains ’ Some suggestions may be of assistance in remedying the mishap. In the first place do not wash the linen before applying other remedies. To do so sets the stain almost indelibly, and it then has to pass through all stages until time and the laundry leave but a pale yellow reminder, which consummation does not follow usually until the fabric is threadbare. For berry stains have some one hold the cloth so that it sags a little and pour absolutely boiling water through the spot; rub well. If this fails, light a bit of sulphur and hold under the wet spot—a lighted match will answer ; the sulphurous gas usually does the work, the stain gradually disappearing. But there are some that will not ‘ out ’— peach stains, for example. Then you must have recourse to salts of lemon, which is good, but apt to leave a hole in lieu of the stain. By extreme carefulness in its use, however, it will not do such dire damage. Take a sunny day for the task ; first moisten the spot and then rub on a very little of the salts of lemon ; lay the linen in the sun for two or three minutes and then wash thoroughly with soap and warm water. Success nearly always follows. Other stains, like iron rust, are more easily removed. After washing the article squeeze lemon juice on the spots and then cover thickly with salt. Lay in the sun all day, wash, and if the rust is not entirely removed repeat the application. This is equally good for ink stains.