Chemicals should not be used until water or laundering has been tried, for they attack the fibers of the cloth as well as the stain.

There are a few common chemicals which are necessary in removing some stains, and these should be kept in every household. A good plan is to have a small cupboard in the laundry where these chemicals may be kept together with the utensils used in applying them. As some of these chemicals are poisonous, they should not be kept in the family medicine cabinet or pantry. Chemicals most commonly used in removing stains are Javelle water (p. 273), potassium permanganate (solution), oxalic acid, ammonia water, hydrogen peroxide, French chalk, and cream of tartar. These chemicals may be bought at any drug store.

With these chemicals should be kept some of the utensils used in applying them; such as a medium-sized bowl, a medicine-dropper, a glass rod with rounded ends, several pads of cheese-cloth or old muslin, and a small sponge.

If the effect of the stain-remover on the fiber or color is not known, it should be tried by applying a little to a sample or to an unexposed portion of the goods. Sometimes it is best to remove the stain even if some of the color is removed also, for the color often may be restored by careful tinting.

One should work rapidly when using chemicals to remove stains, so as to give them as little time as possible to act on the textile fibers. Many brief applications of the chemicals, with rinsing or neutralization after each application, are preferable to the practice of allowing them to remain on the stain for a long time. The stained portion of the garment should be stretched over a bowl of clean water and the chemical applied with a medicine-dropper. The chemicals may be rinsed out quickly by dipping in the clean water. Another method is to place the stained portion over a pad of folded cloth and apply the chemical with a glass rod. The rinsing or neutralizing always must be thorough.

Javelle water may be used successfully in removing a number of stains, but should be applied only to uncolored cotton or linen materials, since it bleaches colors and rots silk or wool. In treating stains with Javelle water, the stained portion should be stretched over a bowl filled with water and the Javelle water applied to the stain with a medicine-dropper. The Javelle water should not be allowed to remain in contact with the stain for more than one minute and then oxalic-acid solution should be applied to neutralize the Javelle water and the stain rinsed by-dipping in the bowl of water.

Commercial ink-removers are similar in action to Javelle water and are very convenient for removing many stains besides ink spots.

Potassium permanganate can be used in removing stains from all white fabrics. It also may be used successfully upon many colored materials, but should always be tried first on an unexposed portion of the goods, to determine its effect on the dye. It does not harm delicate fibers, provided it is used with reasonable care. One should first remove as much of the stain as possible by sponging or washing with cold water. The permanganate should be prepared and used as follows: Dissolve 1 teaspoonful of the crystals in a pint of water and apply a little of this to the stain with a medicine-dropper, a glass rod, or a clean cork, and allow it to remain for about five minutes. Remove any pink or brown stain left by the permanganate, by applying one of the following chemicals: 1. Hydrogen peroxide, made slightly acid (if not already so) with oxalic acid. One drop of the acid usually is enough to acidify 3 teaspoons of the peroxide. 2. Oxalic acid in saturated solution or lemon juice for cotton, linen, or silk. Hydrogen peroxide is more satisfactory for wool. The treatment should be followed by thorough rinsing. One or more repetitions of this treatment may be necessary in the case of persistent stains.

Oxalic acid is poisonous and should be used carefully; the bottle in which it is kept must be marked "Poison" and kept out of the reach of children. To prepare a solution of oxalic acid for use, as many of the crystals of the acid as possible should be dissolved in a pint of lukewarm water. This should be put into a bottle, stoppered tightly, and used as needed. This solution may be applied to the stain with a medicine-dropper or glass rod and after allowing it to remain for a few minutes the garment should be rinsed thoroughly in clean water.

Hydrogen peroxide, as obtained for medicinal purposes, usually is made slightly acid, to give it better keeping quality.

For use in removing stains a small amount of the peroxide should be made slightly alkaline with ammonia. Since hydrogen peroxide affects the fiber also, in the case of cotton and linen materials, it must be followed by very careful rinsing. It may be applied to the stain with a medicine-dropper, a glass rod, or a clean cork, or the stain sponged with it. The method of using it in neutralizing potassium permanganate is described above.