A manual of home-making

If the effect of the stain-remover on the fiber or color is not known, it should be trietl Ijy applying a little to a sample or to an unexposed portion of the goods. Sometimes it is best to remove the stain even if some of the color is removed also, for the color often may he restorcxl by careful tinting. ^ One should work rapidly when using chemicals to remove I stains, so a.s to give them as little time as possible to act on the textile fibers. Many brief ai^plications of the chemicals, with rinsing or neutralization after each apphcatton, are pref* erable to the practice of allowing them to remain on the stain for a long time. The stained portion of the garment should be stretched over a bowl of clean water and the chemical applied with a medicine-dropper. The chemicals may be rinsed out quickly by dipping m the clean water. Another method ia ■ to place the stained portion over a pad of foldetl cloth and ap- ply the chemical with a glass rod. The rinsing or ncutrahziog always mnai be thorough. M Javelle water may be uscil successfully in removing a num- ■ ber of stains, but should be applied only to uncolored cotton or linen materials, since it bleaches colors and rots sitk or wool. In treating stains with Javelle water, the stainetl portion should bestrelclu'<l over a howl fillt^l with water and the Javelle water M applied to the stain w^ith a meciicine-th-opper. The Javelk* water ■ should not be allowed to remain in contact with the stain for 286 A MANUAL OF HOME-MAKING more than one minute and then oxalic-aeid solution should be applietl to neutraKze the Javelle water and the stain rinsed by dipping in the bowl of water, Comniereial ink-removers are similar in action to Javelle water and are veiy convenient for removing many ataina be- sides ink spots. Potassium permanganate can be used in removing stains from all wliite fabrics* It also may be usetl surre^sfully ufxin many coloretl materials, but should always Ix* tried first on an unexpo^^d portion of the goods, to determine it^ effect on the dye. It does not hami delicate fil>ers, provided it is used with reasonable care. One should first remove as much of the stain as jxjssible by spon|2;ing or washing with cold water. The permanganate should be prepared and used as follows; Dis- solve 1 teaspoonful of (he crj^stals in a pint of water and apply a little of this to the stain with a medicine-ilropper, a glass rod, or a clean cork, and allow it to renuiin for about five minutes* Remove any pink or brown stain left by the {x*nnanganaie, by applying one of the following chemicals: L Hydrogen per- oxide, made slightly acid (if not alreiidy so) with oxalic acid. One drop of the acid usually is enough to acidify 3 teaspoons of the peroxide, 2. Oxafic acid in saturated solution or lemon juice for cotton, linen, or silk. Hydrogen peroxide is more sat- isfactory for wool. The treatment should be followed by thor- ough rinsing. One or more repetitions of tliis treatment may be necessary in the ciise of persistent stains.