To clean an article, first brush thoroughly, and then spread on a table. Sponge with the cleaning fluid and rub hard until the stains disappear. Then press if necessary.
This fluid will remove grease spots and stains of various kinds. It can be used on silks, cottons, and woollens. It is almost invaluable for cleaning men’s clothing, dresses, carpets, etc. When a colored garment is to be sponged, try the fluid on a small piece of the goods, as it affects some colors.
Treatment of Grease Spots on Wall Paper.
If you find grease spots on wall paper, put powdered French chalk, wet with cold water, over the places, and let it remain for twelve hours or more. When you brush off the chalk, if the grease spots have not disappeared, put on more chalk, place a piece of coarse brown paper or blotting paper on this, and press for a few minutes with a warm flat-iron.
Stale Bread for Cleaning Soiled Paper.
Wipe the paper with a clean cloth. Cut a loaf of stale bread in two, lengthwise, and rub the bread over the paper, making long strokes straight up and down. When the bread becomes soiled, cut off a thin slice, and continue the work with the clean surface. A large room may require the use of two or three loaves.
Edges of books, margins of pictures, and other things may be cleaned in the same way.
Two Ways to Repair Wall Paper.
Have a set of children’s paints, selecting those that have creams, browns, yellows, and perhaps green, blue, and red. Mix the colors until you get the shade of the foundation color of the paper, then lightly touch up the broken places. If the breaks be small this will be all that is necessary; but if large, it will be well when the first color is dry to touch up the place with the other colors. This is a much easier and more satisfactory method than patching the paper. If, however, the broken place be too large to be repaired with the paint, match the paper if you can and stick it on with flour paste. Never use mucilage, as it discolors the paper.