Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks may cause tannin stains. Fresh
tannin stains are almost colorless, but if they are allowed to stand or
are washed in soap and water or heated as in ironing and pressing, they
turn brown and are almost impossible to remove. Fresh stains can be
removed as follows:
Cold water and glycerine.—Sponge the stain with water or with a mixture
of equal parts alcohol and water. Then pour glycerine on the stain and
rub between the hands. Let stand for a half hour and rinse with water.
Acetic acid.—If the above treatment does not remove the stain, apply a
10-percent solution of acetic acid with a medicine dropper and let stand
a few seconds. Rinse and repeat if necessary. Stop the action of the
acid with baking soda or ammonia (see above) and spread the garment in
the sun.
Bleaches.—The last traces of stains on white materials can sometimes be
removed by bleaching. Use one of the following:
_Hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate._—Sponge lightly with hydrogen
peroxide or with a mixture of 1 level teaspoon sodium perborate to 1
pint hydrogen peroxide. If this does not remove stain, cover dampened
spot with powdered sodium perborate and let stand an hour. Rinse in
water.
_Javelle water._—For stains on uncolored cotton or linen material, dip
in Javelle water for 1 minute (no longer), remove the chlorine from the
cloth with a sodium thiosulfate solution, rinse well in water. (See p. 6
for more detailed instructions.) Do not use Javelle water to remove
stains from colored materials or from silk or wool.