363. The Choice of Re-Agents for Restoring Color

363.    The Choice of Re-Agents for Restoring Color. The choice of re-agents is not a matter of indifference; vegetable acid (Decolorized Vinegar, see Index), is generally preferable to mineral acids. The sulphurous acid (see No. 360 (Methods of Removing Various Stains)), however, may be used for spots from fruit; it does not injure blue upon silk, or the colors produced by astringents ; nor does it affect yellow upon cotton. A volatile alkali ( Water of Ammonia) succeeds better than a fixed alkali in removing spots produced by acids. They are usually made use of in the form of vapor, and act quickly, seldom injuring the color of the cloth.

364. To Remove Fruit Stains

364.    To Remove Fruit Stains. Spots caused by fruit are removed by sulphurous acid, or what is still better, by water acidulated with a little muriatic or oxalic acid, or salt of lemons; but care must be taken not to apply this liquid to colors that it will injure. A lighted sulphur match held under the stain will produce sufficient sulphurous acid.

365. To Remove Fruit and other Stains from Linen

365.    To Remove Fruit and other Stains from Linen. Fruit and other spots on linen may be removed by applying to the part, previously washed clean, a weak solution of chlorine, chloride of lime, spirits of salts (muriatic acid), oxalic acid, or salts of lemon, in warm water, and frequently by merely using a little lemon juice. The part should be again thoroughly rinsed in clear warm water (without soap), and dried.

Many other stains may be taken out by dipping the linen in sour butter-milk, and drying it in a hot sun. Then wash it in cold water, and dry it, 2 or 3 times a day.

366. To Remove Acid Stains from Linen, etc.

366.    To Remove Acid Stains from Linen, etc.. These may be removed by the following methods: Wet the part and lay on it some salt of wormwood (carbonate of potassa); then rub it, without diluting it with more water.

Or: Tie up in the stained part some pearl-ash; then scrape some soap into cold soft water to make a lather, and boil the linen till the stain disappears.

367. To Remove Acid Stains from Garments

367.    To Remove Acid Stains from Garments. Chloroform will restore the color of garments, where the same has been destroyed by acids.

"When acid has accidentally or otherwise destroyed or changed the color of the fabric, ammonia should be applied to neutralize the acid. A subsequent application of chloroform restores the original color.

Spots produced by hydrochloric or sulphuric acid can be removed by the application of concentrated ammonia, while spots from nitric acid can scarcely be obliterated.

368. To Remove Alkali Stains from Garments

368.    To Remove Alkali Stains from Garments. Spots produced by alkalies, such as soap-boiler's lye, soda, ammonia, etc., can generally be made to disappear completely by the prompt application of dilute acetic acid and a good deal of water. (See No. 3C0.)