FROM THE MAILBAG

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 397, 31 January 1947, Page 22

FROM THE MAILBAG

Ice Cream Marks Dear Aunt Daisy, I wonder if you can help me out. While bringing ice cream home for my kiddies, I spilled some on to my frock, and when I discovered it, it had dried on. I have been told to use cold water, but will await word from you before I experiment. Best wishes to you. Mrs. J.C., Auckland, Cold water is not the best thing for removing ice cream, really. First of all you should try carbon tetra chloride, or methylated spirits. The meths, is the pure sort from the chemist. Put a soft cloth underneath, and work from outside the mark, to the middle, so as not to spread it. Let it dry, and repeat if necessary. Eucalyptus is often good too.

And if it has not come right out, then try a little luke warm soapy water, with clear water to rinse. Here again, work from the outside to the middle, and shade the moisture at the edges into the surrounding material, so as not to leave a ring. Dry it as much as you can with a cloth, and when it is dry, press with an iron, Do not press crepe frocks when damp. ; Nail on Gloves Dear Aunt Daisy, I have a pair of white cotton gloves which I have worn only once, and I got some nail varnish on them in three different places, With the summer weather, one can’t haye too many light gloves, so I hope you can give me the remedy. "Dickie," Ashburton. I don’t suppose you thought io use the varnish remover, did you, -Dickie? Try

it now, but if it is too late, and the varnish too firmly stuck, get some amyl acetate from the chemist, and soak the marks in it for a while; and work at it with your fingers, to get the varnish out of the fabric,~Then, of course, vou'll need to wash them. Acetone, also from the chemist, is quite good too. Smocking Dots Show Dear Aunt Daisy, I had made for my niece a smocked frock, and the dots are showing through. It was smocked very beautifully, and I was wondering if you could send me an idea for taking out the dots, and not spoiling the material. "Auntie," Christchurch. This is a problem'which we deal with regularly three or four times a week in our office. It is a good idea, especi-

ally if. you are smocking a flimsy material, to put a piece of thin material between the material to be smocked and the transfer, so that only a small mark 0es through. However, to remove them -try soaking the smocked part in methylated spirits-pure, from the chemist. Then rub with the fingers; and a cloth; and repeat if necessary. You could sponge with warm soapy water then, too, Another method is to soak the dots in glycerine-rub it in, and then sponge with warm soapy water. Some "links" get them out with eucalyptus, And another "link" suggested to damp the marks, rub with ordinary soap, then tub in some salt, and leave the article out on the grass all night. But that would be better for supper cloths, and things like that; rather than a delicate nightie or child’s frock.