Important: Safety Warning
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.
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Removal of Spots and Stains: Grass
Grass Stains. - White and other light-colored summer gowns, duck and flannel trousers, and children's garments frequently show grass stains in summer. The green stain is produced by chlorophyll, a coloring matter present in growing vegetation. This, when exposed to the action of the air, becomes changed into chlorophyllan, which is insoluble in water. Grass stains when fresh may be removed by sponging with alcohol, but after the chlorophyll has been converted into chlorophyllan, the action of alcohol will leave an insoluble brown stain in place of the green Neither oxalic nor muriatic acid is effective with grass stains, but a hot solution of tartaric acid changes the green stain to light brown, that yields readily to boiling soapsuds in the laundry. If tartaric acid is not at hand, wet the stain and apply cream of tartar or salts of lemon.
Or dissolve cream of tartar in boiling water and apply hot. Or rub grass stains with molasses and wash in clear, soft water without soap. Do not use oxalic or muriatic acid.
Tea and Coffee Stains. - These, when fresh, all yield readily to the action of boiling water, especially if the fabric be stretched tightly and the boiling water poured upon it with some force. If stains have been neglected and fixed by soap in the laundry, it may be necessary to apply dilute oxalic acid or chloride of REMOVAL OF SPOTS AND STAINS lime, or to treat them with lemon juice and salt, salts of lemon, and other remedies, afterwards exposing the article to the air and sunshine.
The stains of berries, especially of blackberries, and of plums and peaches, are very refractory. Hence, if possible, these should have immediate treatment.
Paint. - Paint and resin may be quickly dissolved by the action of turpentine, benzine, chloroform, or sulphurous ether, the treatment depending upon the nature of the fabric. Tar may be rubbed with lard and afterwards removed by washing.
Oils may be dissolved by alcohol, ether, or spirits of turpentine. For colored goods, these may all be com bined with ammonia and glycerin.