STAIN REMOVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 6

STAIN REMOVERS

HOUSEHOLD FAMILIARS HAVE MANY USES la all well-regulated houses there is found a medicine chest in ■which, are kept the remedies for minor household accidents, but very few people keep a store of stain removers which may be applied immediately a stain is discovered. Such a collection is, however, if not essential, at least desirable, and to be eflicient need not be very elaborate. A few two-ounce bottles kept in a corner with the commoner cleaning reagents will prove useful many times when least expected and when the situation be lost by having to run to the chemist for them. For removing grease or paint, petrol and methylated spirit are invaluable, and a bottle of each should be at hand. These should be clearly labelled and their extremely inflammable nature kept in mind. Ammonia is useful for cleaning silver and aluminium. Ink stains on the fingers may also be removed with ammonia. Some crystals of oxalic acid should be kept, as ink stains in cloth may be removed by soaking in a solution of this substance. The acid has poisonous qualities, however, and must be used with care. Stains in silk should be treated with a mixture of equal parts of lemon juice and turpentine. The mixture should be applied lightly with a swab of cotton-wool. Coffee stains may be removed from delicate fabrics by sponging lightly with glycerine and pressing. The above chemicals are most often required and they will keep quite well if tightly corked. A very useful and economical cleaner for rough work may be made from scraps of soap and fine red sand. The soap is put into an old tin and covered with boiling water and stirred occasionally until it has dissolved, when the sand is added. Enough sand should be added to give the mixture the consistency of stiff butter. This yields a very nice substance to work with, which is useful in cleaning earthenware, etc. If desired, a little carbolic acid may be added to give it a fresh scent and disinfecting qualities.—A. Mcl., in ‘‘English and Mechanics.”