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.
Removing Individual Stains
Acids
Act quickly when an acid has been spilled, for it may damage the cloth or destroy the color. First, wash the stain with cold water to stop the action of the acid. Rinse several times in cold water; then apply ammonia water or baking soda. Water alone will not restore color, but ammonia water may.
Baking soda.—Sprinkle soda on both sides of the stain, moisten with water, and allow to stand until the bubbling stops. Rinse well with water.
Ammonia water.—Hold the dampened stain over an open bottle of strong ammonia water; or if the material doesn’t water-spot, put a few drops of ammonia water, diluted to half strength on the stain. Since ammonia water affects some dyes, have white vinegar ready to apply quickly if the color changes. Rinse well with water.
Adhesive Tape
Sponge or soak the stain in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, or kerosene. Kerosene will make the cloth oily, so wash in warm suds after the treatment.
Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks may cause tannin stains. Fresh tannin stains are almost colorless, but if they are allowed to stand or are washed in soap and water or heated as in ironing and pressing, they turn brown and are almost impossible to remove. Fresh stains can be removed as follows: