Ink stains on woolen goods and cloth may be removed with oxalic acid, diluted, or rubbed over with strong vinegar, so that it may not injure the stuff. This acid has, however, the disadvantage of being very poisonous, and must be used with caution. Citric and tartaric acids, which are harmless, and answer the purpose as well, are to be preferred, especially as they may be used on the most delicate fabrics without any danger of injuring them. They may also be employed to remove marks of ink from books, as they do not injure printing-ink, into the composition of which iron does not enter.

Lemon juice, milk, the juice of ripe tomatoes, etc., are good for ink stains on white goods. If the ink be spilt on a carpet or table cover, the stain should immediately be rubbed with a moistened cloth, the rubbing being continued over and beyond the stain until the ink marks have disappeared. If this be done very promptly, the stain may be entirely removed. The work may be completed with a second wet cloth.

In case the color of the material is destroyed by an acid used in removing ink stains, or through accident, it may be restored by rubbing the spot with ammonia. In the case of varnish or paint stains, rub with benzine or turpentine. If the stain is old use chloroform, but be very careful in its use. To remove blood stains, saturate with petroleum and wash in hot water. Grease spots from dripping candles may be removed with cologne water.

Grease spots are the most disagreeable stains. They always spread, and are more offensive than others. Fortunately, there are many ways for getting rid of them.

Before attempting to remove stains from woolen goods, place on them a piece of absorbent paper, pass a hot iron over it, and then use ammonia and soapsuds. Chloroform is successfully used, and also a mixture of alcohol and ammonia. These spots may be also dampened with ammonia water, and ironed under a piece of white paper.

Rub the stain with chalk on the wrong side of the cloth, allowing it to remain on all day. Many persons keep the following preparation to remove stains whenever needed : Make a stiff paste of Fuller's earth and vinegar. Roll into a ball and dry it. To use it scrape the ball on the stain, which must first be moistened; allow it to dry, and then remove the stain with warm water.

Here are three formulae for removing stains:

First. Essence of turpentine, very pure, twenty-six grams; alcohol at forty degrees, thirty-one grams; sulphuric ether, thirty-one grams; pour into the bottle, cork, and shake well. To use the mixture, place the material to be cleaned on a piece of thickly folded white cloth. Wet the stain thoroughly with the preparation, and rub lightly with a fine cloth. If the stain is an old one, warm the material.

Second. Mix ammonia and ether and alcohol, in equal parts, thoroughly; place on the stain a piece of blotting-paper; moisten with a sponge dipped in water, to make it more absorbent; wet it with the mixture, and rub the stain. It will disappear in an instant.

The following will remove a stain of any kind: Pour into a large-necked bottle two quarts of pure spring water; add a lump of ashes of old lees of wine, about the size of a nut, a lump of potash, two sliced lemons. Allow this to stand for twenty-four hours. Filter the liquid, and keep in well-corked bottles. When you wish to remove the stain, wet it with the preparation, then rub the spot with fresh water.