Margaret Smith Furry

“ Gasoline, naphtha, and ether catch fire easily and often explode, so never use them near a fire. Sometimes just rubbing a garment that is soaked with gasoline will cause it to burst into flames. Benzene, turpentine, alcohol, and acetone also are inflammable. For this reason, cleaning with large amounts of these fluids at home is not recommended. Grease-spot removers made entirely or in large part of carbon tetrachloride will not catch on fire. ”

“ Soak or sponge the stain with a solution made of 1⁄2 cup salt and 1 cup vinegar in 2 quarts of water. Rinse well in water; then wash in warm soapsuds.
Flypaper, Sticky
Sponge the stain with carbon tetrachloride or benzene. If the material is washable, soak in kerosene and then wash in warm soapy water.
Fruits and Berries
Treat fruit and berry stains immediately, if possible; they are hard to remove after they dry. Boiling water (if it does not harm the cloth) or sometimes even warm water will remove most fruit stains. It is better not to use soap, as alkalies set some fruit and berry stains. ”

“ In removing writing-ink stains it usually is necessary to try various methods. Always start with the simplest method and the one least likely to harm the cloth.
Absorbents.—If the stain is still wet, spread corn meal, salt, French chalk, cornstarch, or talcum powder on the stain to remove any excess ink and to keep it from spreading. Work the powder into the stain. Shake it off as it becomes soiled and repeat the process. When the dry absorbent fails to take up more ink, make the absorbent into a paste with water or with a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part alcohol and apply again. ”

“ Synthetic detergents, like soaps, may be mild or alkaline. The mild synthetics are excellent for washing silks and fine fabrics, blankets, and sweaters. They are relatively safe for colors. The alkaline synthetics, which contain alkaline salts to aid in soil removal, are all-purpose washing agents for washing heavily soiled garments. ”

“ It is smart and thrifty to take best care of your clothing and household fabrics so they will look well and last as long as possible.
Many stained and spotted articles are needlessly thrown away each year. Many others are needlessly ruined by unsuccessful attempts to remove stains. ”

“ If a ring has formed, remove it either by sponging the material with clean water or by shaking it in the steam from a briskly boiling teakettle. Scratching with the fingernail or a stiff brush or rubbing the cloth between the hands will sometimes remove a ring. ”