Stains—And How to Deal With Them

Shannon News, 27 December 1929, Page 3

Stains—And How to Deal With Them

"Tubproof" and "sunfast" are welcome terras to the housewife's ear, and we even hear rumours of "spotproof stockings," while the "dustless duster" is an inmate of many a home. The question of stains, however, is not so easily dealt with, for, although manufacturers can "proof" their silks to resist t(hc rain, and can strength on their dyes against sunshine \yalL-r, they have not yet evolved a fabric superior, to the evils of ink, grease or tar. Until this happy time arrives the housewife has to seek the aid of many a to- '. tion and bleaching agent, and the following hints may aid her in her weary

search: — " In every case there .are two things to consider: (1) The type of material; and (2) the nature of the stain. _lf the second essential is unknown it is best to sponge the stain gently with clean, cold or with warm water. Remove a "stain as soon as possible, as the-longer it is left the more difficult it is to remove. Stains should be removed before any garment is put into the family wasthtub, as some' stains, such as strong .tea, are "set" by the action of soap, while others, such as ironmould, spread if they touch another part of the mav ferial. Simple methods—water, sunshine, borax, and lemon juice should be tried before recourse is had to strong ohemieals, and no strong acids, alkalis or bleaching liquors should ever be used on coloured articles or on woollen or sdlk fabrics." "> Tea'and coffee stains on white table linen can generally • -be removed by •boiling. On otto white materials—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. Stretch the 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 liquor diluted with throe times its bulk of water. Soak for a few minutes, and as soon as the stain disappears wash out the. ehemieal. Bleaching Liquor.—Quarter pound chloride of lime, 2oz. washing soda, and one quart of water. Dissolve the soda in hot water; when cool add the lime and mix well. Allow, the lime to settle. Strain .off carefully through a piece of calico. Bottle-, cork securely and keep ' away from the light. If required to bleach discoloured cotton and linen ar-

tides, dilute with six times its bulk of waters Soak the articles in the so-

lution for an hour, and then wash; boil and dry in the sun. This liquor must never be used on coloured silk or wool materials. Lime is apt to damage any delieate 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 Flower Stains: Rub with methylated spirit,, bonzine 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 milk, or buttermilk, or soaked in lemon juice. Then wash, boil, and bleach in the sun. Ir old, treat with salts of le>man applied in the same way as borax in "tea and coffee stains" on table linen. (Salts 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 tartaf moistened with warm water; (b) dabbed with peroxide of hydrogen, to which has been added a few drops of ammomiia (equal parts of peroxide and ammonia can be used; or (c) for fast colours a dilute solution of salts of lemon can be used . Irbnmould stains should be treated like old ink stains. Mildew, which makes its appearance in ugly spots on cotton and linen, i.« caused by damp conditions, which have favoured the growth of mould. It. ifoften seen on starched articles left aside for ironing, as the mould feecjjP 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 then wash and boil in the usual way; (b) treat with borax as 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. Bub well and boil with kerosene in the water (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.