The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-09
Il enovating Articles of Wearing Apparel.

The art of removing stains from clothes
produced by acids, grease, mud, coffee,
wine, ETC., is denominaied securing. TO
carry the process 10 perfection requires not
only vast experience, but some practical
knowledge Of chemistry. Our observations
upon this subject must therefore be only
received as applicable TO the ordinary cases
of stained fabric; because so much modili-
cation of the process is required TO be sub
servient TO the various colors and materials
worked upon, that nothing but practice can
teach.
The commonest marks arc grease spots,
and TO scour them out Of silk or satin the
best materials TO employ are oxgall or pure
turpentinc. If gall be used, it should be
quite quite fresh, unless it is purified, Of
which we will speak hereafter. If turpen-
tine be employed, it should be distilled, and
perfectly free from resin. The preparation
called securing drops" is pure turpentine,
perfumed with essence of lemon. Either
of these substances may be applied with
piece of sponge, or with remnant of the
same material that is being cleaned. When
the grease spot is large, the greater part
may be removed, in the first instance, by
the application of blotting paper and hot
iron. -s
If the stain upon silk or satin is produced
by an acid, such as from fruits, and that up
on black or dark colors, the best re-agent is
ammonia (strong hartshorn) rubbed in till it
disappears. For plain and figured silks, of
delicate colors, we cannot give a general
applicant, and therefore leave them 10 be
operated upon by the professed degraissours
To oblilerate grease spots from white silk
or satin, we may proceed as directed for
for colored silks; but fruit, ink and glove
marks require different treatment. These
marks are generally removed by damping
the part with oxalic acid dissolved in water
about the eighth part of announce in wine
glassful of waller is strong enough. The
common salts of lemons in water also an
swer we'll. Coffee stains, mud splashes,
&C., will mostly give way to the use ofsoap
and water. Curd soap should be applied
for this purpose.
For grease spots upon cloth and all kinds
of woolen goods, soap and water may be
used without fear, provided il is well wash
ed out afterwards, Fuller's earth, or pow
dered French chalk, made into paste with
water, and laid upon the part is, however,
the best applicap i, to be brushed out when
dry.
Paint marks ale removed with turpentine,
the smell of whj jch may be quickly dissipa-
ted by hanging the article upon line in the
air.
The clarified bile, or gall, as it is termed,
of the OK, is invaluable 10 painters in water
colors it not dnly increases the briliancy
and durability Sf the colors, but makes them
spread better tpon paper, and especially
ivory. When purified it is also much used
by scourers for renovating the delicate col
ored silks and satins. In Its naturrl state 1t
contains greenish coloring matter, and is
then only applicable for restoring the bright
ness of dark materials. ltis discolored thus:
Take one point of gall; boil and skim it;
then divide into two parts TO one hall pint
add half an ounce of salt, tothe other add
half an ounce of powdered alum each part
is to be heated till the additions are dissolv.
ed then pour into separie bottles, and allow
them 10 stand and clear, lin a quiet place.
for month or eight weeks, even longer if
not bright. The clear portions of both are
then to be poured gently Oft the sediments
and mixed together; the cqloring matter CO.
asulates and falls, from which the taaspa'