The Best Way to remove Iron Rust.
Buy four ounces of muriatic acid at a druggist’s. It is useful for various purposes. Have it marked plainly. It should, moreover, be labelled as poisonous.
Fill a large bowl with boiling water. Have another bowl or pan full of hot water. A bottle of household ammonia also is necessary. Place the spotted part of the garment over the bowl of hot water. Wet a cork in the muriatic acid and touch the iron rust with it. Immediately the spot will turn a bright yellow. Dip at once in the hot water, and the stain will disappear. When all the spots have been removed, rinse the article thoroughly in several clear waters, then in ammonia water (a tablespoonful of household ammonia to a quart of water), and finally in clear water. The acid is very powerful, and will destroy the fabric if allowed to remain upon it. Ammonia neutralizes it. If the directions be followed carefully, the most delicate fabric can be successfully treated in this way.
As muriatic acid is very destructive of tin, do not keep the bottle in the same closet with articles made of that metal.