Benzine is most effectual, not only for silk, but for any other
material whatever. It can be procured from any druggist. By simply
covering both sides of greased silk with magnesia, and allowing it to
remain for a few hours, the oil is absorbed by the powder. Should the
first application be insufficient, it may be repeated, and even rubbed
in with the hand. Should the silk be Tussah or Indian silk, it will
wash.
To remove an acid stain on violet silk: Brush the discoloration with
tincture of iodine, then saturate the spot well with a solution of
hyposulphite of soda, and dry gradually. This restores the original
color perfectly.
Muriatic acid is successfully used for removing ink stains and iron
mold on a number of colors which it does not attack.
Sulphurous acid is only employed for whitening undyed goods, straw
hats, etc., and for removing the stains of certain fruits on silks and
woolens. Sulphurous gas is also used for this purpose, but the liquid
gas is safer.
Oxalic acid is used for removing ink and rust stains, and remnants of
mud stains, which do not yield to other deterrents. It may also be
used for destroying the stains of fruits and astringent juices, and
old stains of urine. However, its use is limited to white goods, as it
attacks fugitive colors and even light shades of those reputed to be
fast. The best method of applying it is to dissolve it in cold or
luke-warm water, to let it remain a moment upon the spot, and then rub
it with the fingers. Wash out in clear, warm water immediately.
Citric acid serves to revive and brighten certain colors, especially
greens and yellows. It restores scarlets which have been turned to a
crimson by the action of alkalies. Acetic acid or tartaric acid may be
used instead.
Where it is feared that soap may change the color of an article, as,
for instance, scarlet hosiery or lilac print, if the garment be not
badly soiled, it may be cleansed by washing without soap in water in
which pared potatoes have been boiled. This method will also prevent
color from running in washing prints.
To prevent blue from running into a white ground, dissolve a
teaspoonful of copperas in a pailful of soft water, add a piece of
lime the size of an acorn, and soak the garments in this water two
hours before washing. To keep colors from running in washing black
prints, put a teaspoon of black pepper in the first water.
Salt or beef's gall in the water helps to set black. A tablespoonful
of spirits of turpentine to a gallon of water sets most blues, and
alum is very efficacious in setting green. Black or very dark calicoes
should be stiffened with gum arabic--five cents' worth is enough for a
dress. If, however, starch is used, the garment should be turned wrong
side out.
A simple way to remove grass stains is to spread butter on them, and
lay the article in hot sunshine, or wash in alcohol. Fruit stains upon
cloth or the hands may be removed by rubbing with the juice of ripe
tomatoes. If applied immediately, powdered starch will also take fruit
stains out of table linen. Left on the spot for a few hours, it
absorbs every trace of the stain.
For mildew stains or iron rust, mix together soft soap, laundry
starch, half as much salt, and the juice of a lemon. Apply to the
spots and spread the garment on the grass. Or wet the linen, rub into
it white soap, then finely powdered chalk; lay upon the grass and keep
damp. Old mildew stains may be removed by rubbing yellow soap on both
sides and afterwards laying on, very thick, starch which has been
dampened. Rub in well and expose to light and air. There are several
effectual methods of removing grease from cloths. First, wet with a
linen cloth dipped in chloroform. Second, mix four tablespoonfuls of
alcohol with one tablespoonful of salt; shake together until the salt
is dissolved and apply with a sponge. Third, wet with weak ammonia
water; then lay a thin white blotting or tissue paper over it and iron
lightly with an iron not too hot. Fourth, apply a mixture of equal
parts of alcohol, gin and ammonia.
Candle grease yields to a warm iron. Place a piece of blotting or
other absorbing paper under the absorbing fabric; put a piece of the
paper also on the spot, apply the warm iron to the paper and as soon
as a spot of grease appears, move the paper and press again until the
spot disappears. Lard will remove wagon grease. Rub the spot with the
lard as if washing it, and when it is well out, wash in the ordinary
way with soap and water until thoroughly cleansed.
To make linen beautifully white, prepare the water for washing by
putting into every ten gallons a large handful of powdered borax or
boil with the clothes one teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine.
Fruit stains may be taken out by boiling water. Place the material
over a basin or other vessel and pour the boiling water from the
kettle over the stains.
Pure water, cold or hot, mixed with acids, serves for rinsing goods in
order to remove foreign and neutral bodies which cover the color.
Steam softens fatty matters and thus facilitates their removal by
reagents.
Sulphuric acid may be used in certain cases, particularly for
brightening and raising greens, reds, yellows, etc., but it must be
diluted with at least one hundred times its weight of water and more
in cases of delicate shades.