HOW TO DRY CLEAN.
Use a basin large enough to hold one gallon of gasolene and the garment to be cleaned. (Being careful to keep gasolene away from the stove or a lighted candle, lamp, or gas.)
Place one gallon of gasolene in the basin with the coat, and swash up and down until all grease and dirt has been loosened, then place on hangers in the open air, allowing to dry and gasolene to evaporate.
Before dipping the coat in the basin, see that all dust and dirt is removed from the pockets by turning them inside out and brushing, also brush all seams.
Use half a gallon for the vest, and one gallon for the trousers. The more gasolene used, the better will be the results.
Gasolene may be used a second time on black goods, after filtering or settling, but never on light colored materials, ladies' jackets, coats, wool waists, and skirts may be cleaned in the same way.
Gasolene, benzine, naptha, turpentine and ammonia should be of the best and purest, when used for cleaning purposes.
The secret of success in cleaning, is by dipping the garment in a large quantity of the liquid. Not less than a gallon of gasolene, benzine or naptha should be used for a coat, jacket or skirt. Two gallons will do the work better. One should remove all spots if possible before dipping in the liquid. It is a good idea to surround each spot with a basting thread as when wet, some spots do not show. Soak each garment in the clear liquid, then soap all spots thoroughly, rub gently between the hands until spots disappear. Then wash and rinse garment in clear liquid. Place on hangers in the open air, or drying room, allowing odor to pass away.
Soap may be used for cleaning in connection with gasolene with good results. One may use a little ammonia with the gasolene and soap. The goods should be well shaken, and pull all folds out straight with the threads of the goods. Velveteen, velvet and corduroy may be cleaned with gasolene, when pile or nap is not much worn.
When cleaning velvet, or any other fabric, the most important part is to have all the dust and dirt removed, by brushing the garment or fabric thoroughly.
To clean a velvet collar that is not too greasy, and the nap not worn off: Wet a piece of woolen cloth or flannel in gasolene and rub lightly, until the grease and dirt is loosened. Then apply more gasolene with a clean woolen cloth, and remove all grease and dirt. Place on hanger in the open air to dry and to evaporate before steaming. When much gasolene is used hang coat so that the collar hangs down, to allow the gasolene to drip out and evaporate, before steaming. Always being careful not to use gasolene near a stove, lighted candle, lamp or gas.
When using gasolene for cleaning purposes, have it in a gasolene or benzine safety can, used for that purpose, which may be had at any hardware store.
To remove old hard paint or tar, apply the cleaning fluid freely and place the sponge cloth over spot and press with the iron, as there is nothing that will loosen paint or tar as well as steam or heat. If one application is not sufficient repeat until loosened, then scrape off; after that use more cleaning fluid to remove any stains that may remain, then rinse in clean water.
To remove ink stains from woolen materials:
Apply cleaning fluid, two or three times, washing spots each time with clean water, and sponge until stain disappears.