Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Spots

SPOTS, are marks or stains accidentally occurring on linen, woollen, cotton, silk, or other stuffs.—Under the head of Cloth (vol. ii. pp. 7-8) we have already communicated several methods of discharging spots from woollen-cloth: hence we shall, in this place, add another remedy which may be easily prepared; though we have had no experience of its effects:—Dissolve two ounces of pure pearl-ash in a quart of spring water, and add to this solution a lemon cut in small slices. Let the whole be properly mixed, and kept in a warm place for 24 hours; when the liquor should be strained, and the clear fluid decanted for use. It is asserted, that this compound, when poured on the stained part, instantaneously removes all spots, whether they arise from grease, pitch, or oil; and, as soon as they disappear, the cloth must be washed in pure water.—See also Portable Balls, vol. i. p. 153.

Ink-spots on woollen cloth, may be discharged by rubbing them with a composition, made of the white of a new-laid egg and a few drops of oil of vitriol, properly incorporated; afterwards washing the stain with pure water, and lastly, smoothening it with a piece of white cloth, or flannel, in the direction of the nap:—to remove ink from silk stuffs, it will be advisable to apply strong distilled vinegar, and wormwood-ashes, to the blotted part, which ought to be well rubbed with these matters, and then cleansed with soap-water.

Red-port on linen, we understand, may be almost effectually cleared, by pouring warm milk on the stained parts, while they are in a wet state:—another, and perhaps more successful, method, is that of dropping the tallow from a candle on such wine-marks before they are dry; and suffering them to remain till the cloth is sent to the laundry; because ink-spots may, in this simple manner, be removed from linen.