Stored Linen Mildewed

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 401, 28 February 1947, Page 31

Stored Linen Mildewed

Dear Aunt Daisy, I am feeling very upset, as I have just gone to my box of linens, which have been stored for a year, and have found them covered in brown damp stains. All my linen is unused, and I would. be grateful if you could let me know how to get the stains out. This linen is pre-war, and impossible to re-

place.

F.

F.

Auckland.

What a heart-break! At least, it would be so it there were no remedy for mildew. But so many people have been successful with the chloride of lime method, that I think you will be too. Dissolve "lb. of chloride of lime in 1 gallon of water-it will take some hours. — Then strain through a cloth, so that no undissolved particles may be left in the water, for these would weaken — the fabric. Soak your linen in this strained water for perhaps an houror more or less, according to the mildew. Watch the linen-some pieces may get clean before others, depending on the material. Look at it often. Then rinse well in 2 or 3 waters each containing a handful of washing soda-to "kill" the lime. Then wash and boil the linen in the usual way. People have told me that they have actually seen the mildewed spots fade away as they watched them soaking. You would probably get the same result by soaking the linen in clor-o-gene; but it is quite simple to make up the gallon of water as I have described. Don't forget the rinsing water. , For any coloured article which may not be fast, and would therefore bleach with the chloride of lime, try covering the dampened mildewed places with a thick plaster of starch paste, made with cold water, and with some soap added; or rub the place with soap before putting on the plaster. Leave the -atticle out all night on clean grass, or on a towel. You may need to repeat this process, but generally once will do. Wash thoroughly afterwards. Some salt may be added to the starch paste.