ANNOYING STAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1938, Page 8

ANNOYING STAINS

HOUSEWIFE’S BIG TROUBLE. SOME METHODS TO EMPLOY. One of the biggest troubles encountered by the housewife during the daily, round is the annoying stain which so often seems to be found in fabrics or on furniture. They have to be removed irrespective of their cause, and different methods have to be employed to obliterate the disfiguring patches. • It will be found that dry flour often proves very useful in removing grease and oil marks from carpets. It is first rubbed well into the fabric and allowed to remain for some hours before brushing off. A thick layer of common salt is useful in the case of ink-stains. This is allowed to remain for a few minutes to absorb the liquid, and then brushed off. More salt may be required before all the ink has been absorbed. The remainder can be rubbed with lemon juice, wiping clean with water. If the. lemon cannot be applied at once, the layer of salt should be kept moist until it is available. Most of the usual stains and discolorations, however, will respond ,to a lather of yellow soap applied with a cloth, although care must be taken not to be too lavish with the water. After washing, the affected parts are rinsed with a weak solution of ammonia and water. For Leather and Marble. Warm water and vinegar, applied with a clean sponge, will remove most Stains from leather upholstery. The gloss can be restored by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a mixture of turpentine with the white of an egg. Petrol also proves effective. Stains on chintz curtains and coverings usually come from ordinary wear and tear. They are due to a collection of foreign matter, dust, etc., shaking and brushing the material, then rubbing with a clean, damp flannel, after which the fabric should be rubbed with dry breadcrumbs. The finishing is done with a clean, stiff brush. Brush and Beat. Tapestry hangings sometimes present a little difficulty, although they can be cleaned by brushing and beating thoroughly to remove all dust. Next prepare a. strong lather of castile soap and apply the lather —not the liquid— with a stiff brush, Working into the texture. Rub the whole surface with a clean cloth soaked in cold water, repeatedly changing the liquid, and finish with clean water, to which some alum has been added. This brightens up all the colours.