You can usually remove light scorch stains from cotton and linen materials, but wool and silk can seldom be restored to their original condition. Brushing with emery paper may improve wool, however. Try the following:
Soap and water.—If the cloth is washable, soap and water will remove very slight stains. After washing, place the article in the sun for a day or two; it may bleach out any remaining traces of the stain.
Hydrogen peroxide.—If the stained material is white, use hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a white cotton cloth with the peroxide and lay it on the stain. Cover with a clean dry cloth; then press with a medium warm iron. If the hydrogen peroxide soaks through the top cloth, replace with a dry one. Ironing directly on the cloth moistened with peroxide or on the dampened stain itself, after the cloth has been removed, will cause rust stains on the garment. Repeat the treatment, until the stain is completely removed. Rinse well.
Light scorch stains may be removed also by sponging with hydrogen peroxide to which sodium perborate has been added (1 teaspoon sodium perborate to 1 pint peroxide). Rinse well with water.
Shoe Dressings
Soap and water.—If the material is washable, remove fresh stains from one of the paste dressings by sponging or washing thoroughly with plenty of soap. For spots caused by white dressings, sponge first with water, then with soap and water.
Solvents.—Sponge well with carbon tetrachloride or turpentine. Glycerine, lard, or petroleum jelly worked into the stain first helps to loosen it. For liquid dressings and for stains on wool, sponge with denatured alcohol. Do not use alcohol on acetate rayon or colored cloth.
Bleaches.—If a dye stain remains, remove with a bleaching agent.
Hydrosulfite.—Apply one of the hydrosulfites available at drug stores as a color remover. Follow directions on the package.
Hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.—Sponge the stain with hydrogen peroxide or with a sodium perborate solution ([p. 7]) or sprinkle sodium perborate powder on the moistened stain directly. Rinse well.