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Heating, Lighting, and Refrigeration: Fireproof

To Fireproof Cloth. - Mix equal quantities of alum, borax, and vitriol, or copperas; dissolve with boiling water or a thin size made by melting an ounce of glue or gum arabic in a gallon of water. Use no more water than is necessary to dissolve perfectly.

Dilute the mixture to liquid form and soak the fabric in this. This preparation is for articles to be used about stoves and flames, as holders, fire screens, and the like.

To Fireproof Garments. Mix tungstate of soda with boiled starch, or dissolve alum in water, or both. The tungstate of soda does not interfere with the ironing and is the best substance to fireproof children's garments, lace curtains, and other light fabrics which are in danger of taking fire.

To Fireproof Fabrics. -Dissolve 12 ounces of borax and 9 ounces of sulphate of magnesia in 5 pounds of boiling water. In this immerse the fabric when cool.

Or dip the fabric in soluble glass, HEATING, LIGHTING, AND REFRIGERATION diluted with boiling water to 25° B.

Hang to drip dry without wringing.

While still damp, immerse in a solution of 1 pound of sulphate of alumina and 1 pound of sulphate of copper in 10 pounds of water. Dry without wringing in the open air.

To Fireproof Canvas. To fireproof canvas awnings or other coarse materials, make a hot solution of 3 parts of alum and 1 part of copperas. Immerse the articles three times, letting them drip dry between each immersion. Finally let dry and by means of a brush apply a solution of copperas mixed with pipe clay to the consistency of paint. This is a celebrated German recipe. To Fireproof Wood. To fireproof wood impregnate it with alum, borax, or copperas, or a mixture of these.

Or mix 21 pounds sulphate of zinc, 1 pound of potash, 2 pounds of alum, and 1 pound of manganic oxide with lukewarm water in an iron kettle. Stir and add slowly 1 pound of sulphuric acid, 60 per cent pure. Dissolve the same proportions by weight for larger quantities. To apply, build up the pieces of wood corncob fashion, and wrap them at their points of juncture with sufficient wire to keep them at least an inch apart. This method admits of immersing the greatest quantity of wood in the smallest bulk of liquid. Place the wood thus prepared in an old iron sink or tank and pour the liquid over it. Allow it to soak three or four hours, afterwards to drip dry, and season under shade in the open air.

To Waterproof Cloth. - Substances recommended or waterproofing cloth are alum, acetate of lead (sugar of lead), linseed oil, and solutions of India rubber, isinglass, and wax in turpentine and other solvents, or mixtures of the above in varying proportions. India rubber and other close waterproof fabrics are impervious to air as well as moisture; hence they are hot, close, and uncomfortable, besides being unhealthful. Ordinary fabrics, as wool, linen, or cotton, duck, canvas, and the like, may be made waterproof by immersing in any of the above mixtures without affecting their porous qualities.

The following methods are recommended: Dissolve in a wash boiler 1 ounce of yellow soap in 4 gallons of water and bring it to a boil. Allow the liquid to cool and when cold immerse the fabric for twenty-four hours. Remove without wringing, and let it drip till partially dry. While still moist immerse it in a solution of pound of alum and pound of sugar of lead in 3 gallons of water.

Dissolve these substances separately each in 1½ gallons of water, stir vigorously, and mix the two solutions. Soak the fabric in this for three or four hours, and hang it up to drip dry. When nearly dry it may be dipped again if desired.

Or, for delicate fabrics, allow the mixture to settle, pour off the clear liquid from the sediment, and immerse in this. Fabrics thus treated are partially fireproof as well as waterproof. Or dissolve one pound of alum in a gallon of boiling water. Allow the liquid to cool and soak the fabric in it, but this is not equal to the mixture of alum and sugar of lead.

Or put 5 pounds of sulphate of alumina in 1½ gallons of water; in a separate receptacle dissolve 2 pounds of oleic acid and 1½ quarts of alcohol.

Stir vigorously until dissolved. Now add the sulphate of alumina in a thin stream, mix and allow it to settle for twenty-four hours. Pour off the clear liquid, which may be discarded. Dry the residue with heat, and pulverize.

Make a solution of this substance at the rate of 1 pound to 10 gallons of water to waterproof any silk, linen, or woolen fabric. Immerse the cloth or garment until it is thoroughly saturated, and afterwards allow it to drip dry.