and how to deal with them

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 4

and how to deal with them

Stains —

“Tubproof” and “sunfast” are we>]« come terms to the housewife’s ear, and wo even hear rumours of ‘’spotproof stockings.” while tlie “dustless duster** is an inmate of many a home. The question of stains, however, is not so easily dealt w it i. for, although manufacturers can ’’proof their silks to resist the ruin, and <’«n strengthen their dyes against sunshine and water, they have not yet evolved a fabric supernote the evils of ink. grease or tar. Until this happy time arrives the housewife has to seek the aid of many a lotion and bleaching agent. and ‘the following hints may aid in her weary search: — In every case there are two thing* to consider: tl) Tho type ot material* and 12) tho nature of the stain. 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 tho longer it is left in the more diffl. cult it is to remove. Stains should bo removed before any- garment is put into the family washtub, as soma 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 material. Simple methods —water, sunshine* borax, and lemon juice—should be tried before recourse is had to strong chemicals, and no strong acids, alkalis or bleaching liquors should ever be used on coloured articles or on woollen or silk fabrics. Tea and coffee stains on white table linen can generally he removed byboiling. On other white materials—if the stain is fresh —wash first in cold water, and then pour boiling water through the part before it dries; if the stain is dry use boiling water and borax. Stretch the stained.part 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 one pint), or (b) bleaching liquor diluted with three times its bulk of water. Soak for a few minutes, and as soon as the stain disappears wash out the chemical.

Bleaching Liquor.—Quarter pound chloride of lime, 2oz. washing soda, and ono 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 securehand keep away from tlie light. if required to bleach discoloured cotton and linen articles, dilute with six times its bulk of water. Soak the articles in tho solution 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 delicate 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.—Hub with methylated spirit, benzine or petrol, being careful to do this away from tire 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. If old. treat with salts of lemon 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 tartar moistened with warm water; (b) dabbed with peroxide of hydrogen, to which lias bee* added a few drops of ammonia (equal parts of poroxide and ammonia can be used); or (c) for fast colours a dilute solution of salts ot: lemon can bo used. Ironmould stains should bo treated like old ink stains. Mildew*, which makes its appearance in ugly spots on cotton and linen, is caused by damp conditions, which have favoured the growth of mould. It is most often seen on starched articles left aside for ironing, as the mould feeds on the starch in the material. To treat mildew (1) wash, l>oil and soap well, spread with a paste of french chalk, and put in the sun to bleach. Repeat several times if necessar.y: (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 find coffee stains; (c) if the stain has “boiled in” use salts of lemon applied just as borax in “tea and coffee stairs on linen”; (d) use bleaching liquor, Tho type of material will determine which method is best. Paint staina on white cotton and linen. Soak in turpentine for half an hour. Rub well and boil with kerosene in the water (one tablespoonful to one gallon.) Paint on wool, silk or coloured fabrics can be re- . moved by (1) dipping in turpeptine or sponging with it: (2) rubbing gently with a weak ammonia solution: or (3) washing in warm, soapy water.