Oils and fats are the substances which form the greater part of simple stains. They give a deep shade to the ground of the cloth; they continue to spread for several days; they attract the dust, and retain it so strongly that it is not removable by the brush; and they eventually render the stain lighter colored, upon a dark ground, and of a disagreeable gray tint upon a pale or light ground.

The general principle of cleansing all spots consists in applying to them a substance with a stronger affinity for the matter composing them than this has for the cloth, and which shall render them soluble in some liquid menstruum, such as water, spirits, naphtha, or oil of turpentine. Alkalies are the most powerful solvents of grease; but they act too strongly upon silk and wool, as well as change too powerfully the colors of dyed stuffs, to be safely applicable in removing stains. The best substances for this purpose are: 1. Soap. 2. Chalk, fuller's-earth, soap-stone, or French chalk. These should be mixed with a little water, made into a thin paste, spread upon the stain, and allowed to dry. The spot requires now to be merely brushed. 3. The volatile oil of turpentine will take out only recent stains; for which purpose it ought to be previously purified by distillation over quick-lime. Wax, resin, turpentine, pitch, and all resinous bodies in general, form stains of greater or less adhesion, which may be dissolved out by pure alcohol. 4. Oxalic acid removes iron rust almost instantly.

A stain of iron rust and grease requires two distinct operations, one to remove the grease and the other the rust, which can be done as indicated in preceding directions.

Recent Ink Stains - may be removed by washing in pure water, then in soapy water, and lastly with lemon-juice; but if the stain be old, use oxalic acid, which may be applied in powder, well rubbed on, and washed off with pure water.

Ox-gall and yolk of egg have the property of dissolving fatty bodies without perceptibly affecting the texture or colors of cloth, and may therefore be employed with advantage. The ox-gall should be purified, to prevent its greenish tint from degrading the brilliancy of dyed stuffs, or the purity of whites. Thus prepared it is the most precious of all substances known for removing these kinds of stains.

Grease From Cloth

Grease can be removed from cloth by a paste of fuller's-earth and turpentine. This should be rubbed on the fabric until the turpentine has evaporated and a white powder produced. The latter can be brushed off, and the grease will have disappeared.

Another

Benzine, alcohol, ether, equal parts; mix, apply with a sponge (patting the spot), put a piece of blotting paper on each side and iron with a hot flat-iron. The ingredients are very inflammable; use great care not to take them too near a fire.

How To Destroy The Effects Of Acid On Clothes

Dampen as soon as possible, after exposure to the acid, with spirits of ammonia. It will destroy the effect immediately.