Important: Safety Warning
This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
In addition, this page directs the use of hazardous substances — such as benzine, gasoline, lye, or strong acids — for household tasks. These materials are highly flammable, corrosive, or poisonous, and the practices described have caused fires, burns, and poisonings.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Contributions From Friends On Household Economy › Brown
Brown
For nine pounds of goods take one-half pound japonica, two ounces blue vitriol, one ounce bichromate of potash. Dissolve the japonica in enough soft water to cover the goods, and let them stay in all night. In the morning make a solution of the vitriol and potash; wring the goods out of the other dye and let them stand in this half an hour. The goods should simmer in both dyes. For light brown use a brass, and for a dark, a copper kettle, to make the dyes in. This is a good recipe for coloring dress goods, as well as carpet rags. - NELLIE B.