Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-08-05
Stains Need Not Be Tragedies.
REMEDIES TO BE USED ON DIFFERENT
FABRICS.

"The first time have worn II and look
at that spot!''
Every one Is familiar with that re-
mark, made In an anguished tone OF
voice. The tragedy Of spelling new
unfortunate one knows what remedy to
apply for that particular kind of stain.
The removal of stains is necessary
feature of the laundering and general
care Of clothing and other household tex
tiles. Nearly all stains may be removed
easily at home If reliable methods are
known.
One of the most important factors is to
apply the stain remover while the stain
10 fresh. Drying, exposure to air, wash
ing and ironing, all make 1t harder to
remove the stain. The nature of the
stain should be known II possible before
Its removal is attempted, since this de.
termines the treatment to be adopted.
An unsuitable stain remover may "set''
| the stain go its removal becomes diff.
cult or even impossible.
TREATMENT DEPENDS ON FABRIC.
The kind of fabric on which the stain
occurs also should be known, for the
method of treatment depends much on
the nature, color, weave, finish, and
weight of the fabric. Do not use strong
acids on cotton, and even diluted ones
should be neutrslized afterwards with a
suitable alkali. Care also should be
taken In the use of the alkali, as 1t weak.
ems the fabric.
After any reagent rinse the fabric well.
Do not use very hot water on wool or
silk. Rubbing also must be avoided with
these fabrics. Both wool and silk are
dissolved by strong alkalis; borax or a
weak solution of ammonia is more suita.
BILE. Acids, with the exception of nitric,
do not attack silk and wool readily.
With colored materials avoid use of q
bleaching agent which will destroy the
color of the material. Because of this 1t
ia much more difficult to remove stains
from colored material than from white.
COMMON STAINS, HOW TO REMOVE THEM
Blood and meat juice.-Use cold
water; soap and cold water; or starch
paste.
Bluing.-Use boiling water.
Chocolate and cocoa.-Use borax and
cold water; bleach If necessary.
Coffee and tea (clear).-Use boiling
water; bleach If necessary.
Coffee and tea with m).-Use cold
water, then boiling water; bleach If nec-
essary.
Cream and milk.-Use cold water,
then soap and cold water.
Egg.-Use cold water.
Fruit and fruit juices.-Use boiling
water; bleach If necessary.
Grass.-Use cold water; soap and cold
water; alcohol; or bleaching agent.
Grease and oils.-Use French chalk,
blotting paper, or other absorbent; or
warm water and soap; or gasoline, ben.
zine, or carbon tetrachloride.
Iodine.-Use warm water and soap; al
cohol; or ammonia.
Ink.-Try cold water; then use an
acid or bleach II necessary.
Iron.-Use oxalic acid; hydrochloric
acid; salts of lemon; or lemon juice and
salt.
Kerosene warm water and soap.
Lampblack and soot-Use kerosene,
bepzine, chloroform, ether, gasoline, or
carbon tetrachloride. ...-
Mildew.-If fresh, use cold water;
otherwise try to bleach with Javelle
water or potassium permangsnate.
Paint and varnish.-Use alcohol, car
bon tetrachloride, chloroform, or turpen-
tine.
Perspiration.-Use soap and warn,
water; bleach In the sun or with Javelle
water or potassium permanganate.
Pitch, tar and wheel gresse.-Rub
with fat; then use soap and warm water;
or beDzine, gasoline, or carbon tetra-
chloride.
Scorcb. Bleach In the sunshine or
with Javellc water.
Shoe polish (black) Use soap and
water; or turpentine.
Shoe polish (tan) Use alcohol.
Sirup.-Use water.
Stove polish.-Use cold water and
soap; or kerosene, benzine, or gasoline.
Vaseline.-Use kerosene or turpentine.
Water.-Steam or sponge the entire
surface of water-spotted materials.
Wax.-Scrape off as much as possible.
Use French chalk, plotting paper or
other absorbent with q warm iron; or
use bepzine or gasoline. If color re-
mains, use alcohol or bleach.