The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-09
r. enova,,ng Article. of Wearing apparel.

The art of removing stains from clothes
produced by acids, grease, mud, coffee,
wine, etc., is denominated securing. To
carry the process to 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 modifi-
cation of the process is required to be sub
kservient to the various. .seloys.And materials
worked upon, that nothing but practice can
| teach.
The commonest marks are grease spots,
and to scour them out of silk or satin the
best materials TO employ are oxgall or pure
turpentine. 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 a
piece of sponge, or with a 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 ever and hot
iron. 0F
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
J ammonia (strong hartshom) rubbed in till it
disappears. For plain and figured silks, of
delicate colors, we cannot give a general
applicant, and therefore leave them to be
operated upon by the professed degraissours.
To oblierate 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 an ounce in wine
glassful of water 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 voolen goods, soap and water may be
used without fear, provided it is well wash
ed out afterwards. Fuler's earth, or pow
dered French chalk, made into paste with
water, and laid upon the part is, however,
the best applicant, to be brushed out when
dry.
Paint marks are removed with turpentine,
the smell Of which may be quickly dissipa'
ted by hanging the article upon a line in the
air. \ '-
The clarified bile, or gall, as it is termed,
of the OK, is invaluable 10 painters in water
colors lit not only increases the briliiancy
and durability of the colors, but makes them
spread better upon 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 II
contains greenish coloring matter, and is
then only applicabletfor resso3ing the bright
ness ofdark materials. tits dAcolored thus:
Take one point of gall; boilsand skim it
then divide into two parts; 10 one half pint
add half an ounce of salt, to the other add
half an ounce of powdered alum; each par
is to be heated till the additions are dissoiv'
ed then pour into separte bottles, and allow
them to stand and clear, Tin quiet place.
for month or eight weeks, even longer !
not bright. The clear portions of both are
then TO be poured gently off the sediment
and mixed together; the coloring matter co
i agulates and falls, from which the transpa