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Removal of Spots and Stains: Muriatic

Nature and Uses of Muriatic Acid. -This is a gas produced by treating common salt with sulphuric acid or oil of vitriol. It is readily soluble in water, and this solution is the commercial article. It is poisonous, has a sharp, keen smell and taste, and when inhaled causes suffocation. One part of water will absorb about 450 times its own bulk of the gas. It is a powerful corrosive, and must be provided with a glass or rubber stopper, or the cork must be smeared with vaseline, else it will eat the cork and evaporate. It corrodes metals.

To Apply Muriatic Acid. This acid is especially useful to remove red rust stains. To apply, lay the fabric containing the spot over an earthen dish of boiling water. Allow a drop of the acid to fall on the stain from a glass stopper or medicine dropper.

This will cause the stain to fade to a light yellow. Drop the cloth immediately into the water and rinse. Repeat if necessary. As soon as the stain disappears, rinse the article and dip it into ammonia water. This will neutralize any acid that was not removed by rinsing. Muriatic acid may be used on linen or cotton fabrics, but not on silks or woolens. It can be employed on certain fast colors, but it is advisable to test a sample of the goods before applying.

To Remove Acid Stains. -The above acids and others will themselves stain certain colored goods, especially blues and blacks. To remove these stains apply aqua ammonia with a camel'shair brush or sponge. If this is not effective apply chloroform. Either of these may be used on linen, cotton, silk, or wool.