Soaps and synthetic detergents (nonsoap cleaners) are helpful in
removing grease and food spots, blood, and many other stains. For
washing silks and woolens, select a mild soap. One with added alkaline
salts may cause the colors to run and the cloth to become stiff and
harsh. Also use a mild soap on all other delicate materials and on
cotton, especially on those that are not guaranteed colorfast. If you
are washing in hard water, add a water softener such as one of the
special phosphates—sodium hexametaphosphate or tetrasodium pyrophosphate
(sold under brand names)—which prevent the formation of hard-water scum.
This scum is caused by the reaction of the soap and the calcium and
magnesium compounds in the water. It settles on the clothes in gray or
brown specks that are hard to remove.
Synthetic detergents come in powder, paste, and liquid form. Most of
them suds and lather well, although a few clean without sudsing. They do
not make a scum with hard water.
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.
The nonalkaline detergents can be used in place of glycerine to loosen
fresh tannin stains made by soft drinks and some fresh fruits. The other
type should not be used because alkali tends to set tannin stains. Soap,
even the mild type, is also alkaline enough to set these stains.
There are also special dry-cleaning soaps or benzene soaps, which, added
to dry-cleaning fluid, aid in softening the stain and removing the dirt.
Or, to soften a heavy grease or wax stain, put these soaps directly on
the stain, especially on silk and wool cloth. Then rinse well in carbon
tetrachloride, Stoddard solvent, gasoline, or benzene.