CLOTHES--TO REMOVE SPOTS AND STAINS FROM
To remove grease-spots from cotton or woolen materials, absorbent
pastes, and even common soap, are used, applied to the spot when dry.
When the colors are not fast, place a layer of fuller's-earth or
pulverized potter's clay over the spot, and press with a very hot iron.
For silks, moires and plain or brocaded satins, pour two drops of
rectified spirits of wine over the spot, cover with a linen cloth, and
press with a hot iron, changing the linen instantly. The spot will look
tarnished, for a portion of the grease still remains; this will be
removed entirely by a little sulphuric ether, dropped on the spot, and a
very little rubbing. If neatly done, no perceptible mark or circle will
remain; nor will the lustre of the richest silk be changed, the union of
the two liquids operating with no injurious effects from rubbing.
Eau-de-Cologne will also remove grease from cloth and silk. Fruit-spots
are removed from white and fast-colored cottons by the use of chloride
of soda. Commence by cold-soaping the article, then touch the spot with
a hair-pencil or feather dipped in the chloride, and dip immediately
into cold water, to prevent the texture of the article being injured.
Fresh ink-spots are removed by a few drops of hot water being poured on
immediately after applying the chloride of soda. By the same process,
iron-mould in linen or calico may be removed, dipping immediately in
cold water to prevent injury to the fabric. Wax dropped on a shawl,
table-cover, or cloth dress, is easily discharged by applying spirits of
wine; syrups or preserved fruits, by washing in lukewarm water with a
dry cloth, and pressing the spot between two folds of clean linen.
CRAPE--TO RENOVATE
Place a little water in a tea-kettle and let it boil until there is
plenty of steam from the spout; then, holding the crape with both hands,
pass it to and fro several times through the steam, and it will be clean
and look nearly equal to new.
COMBS--TO CLEAN
If it can be avoided, never wash combs, as the water often makes the
teeth split, and the tortoise-shell or horn of which they are made,
rough. Small brushes, manufactured purposely for cleaning combs, may be
purchased at a trifling cost; the comb should be well brushed, and
afterwards wiped with a cloth or towel.
CUPBOARDS, DAMP--TO DRY
Leave a quantity of quicklime in the cupboard for a few days, and the
moisture will be entirely absorbed.
EGGS--TO PACK
Put into a butter firkin a thick layer of coarse dry salt, then a layer
of eggs, with the small end down, another layer of salt, then eggs, and
so on until the firkin is full. Cover and keep in a dry place. These
eggs will keep put up in this way almost any length of time.
COAL-FIRE--TO LIGHT