Grease-spots may be removed from either silk or woollen fabrics
by making a paste of calcined magnesia or carbonate of magnesia
and water, and putting it on with a brush. Let it dry in a warm
place, and remove the dried mass carefully with a knife and dry, clean
brush ; if necessary, repeat the operation till the spot has disappeared.
The use of a hot iron on the dried mass hastens the operation ; but
it is dangerous, as it colors the grease spot brown.
Cloth garments can be cleaned by wetting a sponge in warm
water, and after squeezing it until nearly diy, sponge one place after
another until the garment has been cleansed. All dust and soil will
be absorbed by the sponge, and unless there is very much, soil pure
water is better than anything else. By repeating the operation of
sponging several times, and each time wrapping it in a piece of black
alpaca, the cleansing will be entirely effected, and the goods will
look fresher than if any kind of liquids had been added to the water.
To Remove Fruit-stains. — In the season of fruits the napkins
used at table, and often the handkerchiefs and other articles, will be-
come stained. Those who have access to a good drug store can pro-
cure a bottle of Javelle water. If the stains are wet with this before
the articles are put into the wash they will be completely removed.
Those who cannot get Javelle water can make a solution of chloride
of lime. Four ounces of the chloride of lime are to be put into a quart
of water✪ To Remove Fruit-stains in a bottle, and after thorough shaking allow the dregs to
settle. The clear liquid will remove the stains as readily as Javelle
water, but in using this one precaution must be observed. Be care-
THE LAUNDRY. 3OI
ful to thoroughly rinse the article to which this solution has been
applied in clear water before bringing it in contact with soap, When
Javelle water is used this precaution is not necessary, but with the
chloride of lime liquid it is or the articles will be harsh and stiff.
To Color Brown (i). — Take a peck of hemlock bark steeped in brass
and a little alum to set the color; after the goods are taken out
dip in lime-water; this makes a dark tan color. If something darker
is wished, dip the goods in a weak black dye, then put in the brown
dye.
To Color Brown (2). — i lb. catechu, i oz. of blue vitriol, 2 ozs. of
bichromate potash ; dissolve the catechu and vitriol together, boil a
few moments and then add the rags, and boil twenty minutes, wring
out and put in a kettle with the potash-water, and dye fifteen minutes,
then rinse in clear, cold water.
For starched fringe of tidies, etc., instead of straightening the
fringe after ironing, fold the article, so that all the fringe will be to-
gether in a line, dip fringe in hot water, shake well, fold in the ironed
creases and place on smooth surface to finish drying.
Brush silk with a piece of cotton velvet rolled up tight. For
washing, pour a pint of boiling water on a tablespoonful of alcohol.
Let it stand till tepid, and sponge the goods with it.
Page 196 · 1 recipe record on this page
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Grease-spots may be removed from either silk or woollen fabrics by making a paste of calcined magnesia or carbonate of magnesia and water, and putting it on with a brush. Let it dry in a warm place, and remove the dried mass carefully with a knife and dry, clean brush ; if necessary, repeat the operation till the spot has disappeared. The use of a hot iron on the dried mass hastens the operation ; but it is dangerous, as it colors the grease spot brown.
Cloth garments can be cleaned by wetting a sponge in warm water, and after squeezing it until nearly dry, sponge one place after another until the garment has been cleansed. All dust and soil will be absorbed by the sponge, and unless there is very much, soil, pure water is better than anything else. By repeating the operation of sponging several times, and each time wrapping it in a piece of black alpaca, the cleansing will be entirely effected, and the goods will look fresher than if any kind of liquids had been added to the water.
To Remove Fruit-stains. — In the season of fruits the napkins used at table, and often the handkerchiefs and other articles, will become stained. Those who have access to a good drug store can procure a bottle of Javelle water. If the stains are wet with this before the articles are put into the wash they will be completely removed. Those who cannot get Javelle water can make a solution of chloride of lime. Four ounces of the chloride of lime are to be put into a quart of water in a bottle, and after thorough shaking allow the dregs to settle. The clear liquid will remove the stains as readily as Javelle water, but in using this one precaution must be observed. Be care-
THE LAUNDRY. 3OI
ful to thoroughly rinse the article to which this solution has been applied in clear water before bringing it in contact with soap, When Javelle water is used this precaution is not necessary, but with the chloride of lime liquid it is or the articles will be harsh and stiff.
To Color Brown (i). — Take a peck of hemlock bark steeped in brass and a little alum to set the color; after the goods are taken out dip in lime-water; this makes a dark tan color. If something darker is wished, dip the goods in a weak black dye, then put in the brown dye.
To Color Brown (2). — i lb. catechu, i oz. of blue vitriol, 2 ozs. of bichromate potash ; dissolve the catechu and vitriol together, boil a few moments and then add the rags, and boil twenty minutes, wring out and put in a kettle with the potash-water, and dye fifteen minutes, then rinse in clear, cold water.
For starched fringe of tidies, etc., instead of straightening the fringe after ironing, fold the article, so that all the fringe will be together in a line, dip fringe in hot water, shake well, fold in the ironed creases and place on smooth surface to finish drying.
Brush silk with a piece of cotton velvet rolled up tight. For washing, pour a pint of boiling water on a tablespoonful of alcohol. Let it stand till tepid, and sponge the goods with it.
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To Remove Fruit-stains