Stain-Removal Supplies
Keep all stain removers together on a handy shelf, but out of the reach of children. Label all the jars and bottles; be sure to mark “Poison” plainly on the poisonous ones. To have a complete shelf, you will need to keep at least three kinds of cleaning agents—bleaches, absorbent powders, grease solvents.
Absorbent powders—for grease spots or ink stains. Chalk, corn meal, talcum powder, or cornstarch. Acetic acid—10-percent solution. (Vinegar is about 5 percent acetic acid and can be used to remove alkalis, to stop the action of Javelle water, and to restore some colors.) Ammonia water—10-percent solution. Bleaches JAVELLE WATER—for white cotton, linen, or rayon only. SODIUM PERBORATE—for any material, particularly good on white woolens. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE—a mild bleach for any material. OXALIC ACID—never use on weighted silk. Label “Poison”. HYDROSULFITES—never use on weighted silks. Pepsin—stain softener available at drug stores. Sodium thiosulfate, or photographer’s “hypo”—removes iodine stain; use with Javelle water to remove chlorine from cloth. Solvents TURPENTINE—for paint stains. DENATURED ALCOHOL—be sure to mix alcohol with 2 parts water when using on acetate rayon or colored material. CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, GASOLINE, OR BENZENE—for grease and oil stains. ACETONE OR FINGERNAIL-POLISH REMOVER—for fingernail-polish stains. Never use on acetate rayon or vinyon. GLYCERINE—for tannin stains; also to loosen or soften other stains. Washing agents SOAP. SYNTHETIC DETERGENT—powder, paste, or liquid. DRY-CLEANING SOAP—to use with dry-cleaning fluid. WASHING SODA. Equipment Cloth, white blotting paper, or cleansing tissues; medicine dropper; glass rod; bowls.