Home › Removal of Spots and Stains › Removal of Spots and Stains: Ammonia

Removal of Spots and Stains: Ammonia

Nature and Uses of Ammonia. -It is interesting to note that the name "ammonia" was formerly applied to common salt on account of the fact that salt was anciently found in the Libyan Desert near the Temple of Jupiter Ammon. Ammonia occurs as a colorless transparent gas with a pungent odor. It is readily soluble in water, 1 part of water absorbing about 500 volumes of the gas. A solution of ammonia in water is called aqua ammonia or "spirits of Hartshorn." Preparations sold for household purposes vary greatly in strength. Smelling salts or sal volatile is a carbonate of ammonia. Ammonia combines with acids to form soluble salts. Hence it is useful in removing fruit stains and other acids.

It may be applied freely to all ordinary fabrics; to remove stains made by strong acids, red wine, iodine, nitrate of silver, and also the stains of sea water and cod-liver oil.

Uses of Alcohol. -Alcohol, as is well known, is a pure, colorless liquid with a burning taste. It burns easily, has a strong affinity for water, and dissolves many substances. Pure alcohol is called absolute or "anhydrous" alcohol, but the commercial article varies from "proof spirits," which contains about 50 per cent of alcohol by volume, to "cologne spirits," which contains from 93 to 95 per cent.

The solvent quality of alcohol makes it useful to remove stains in silk, woolen, and other delicate fabrics, provided they are soluble and do not require chemical treatment. It may be mixed with benzine or aqua ammonia or both. It is most effective when the stains are fresh.