Because of the great number and variety of substances used in medicines,
it is not possible to give methods for removing all such stains. If you
know what the medicine is made of, it will aid in choosing the remover.
For instance, a tarry or gummy medicine can be treated in the same way
as a tar spot (see p. 27); a medicine containing much iron can be
removed in the same way as iron rust (see p. 20). Medicines in a sugar
sirup usually can be washed out with water; those dissolved in alcohol
sometimes can be removed by sponging the stain with alcohol. Many of the
medicines used in swabbing sore throats contain silver nitrate and
should be sponged with a solution of sodium thiosulfate (“hypo”)—1
teaspoon of the crystals in 1 cup of water.
If you cannot find out what kind of medicine caused the stain, you may
have to try several methods to find one that will do the job. Each of
the following methods will remove certain medicine stains.
Boiling water.—For washable materials, pour boiling water on the stain
from a height of 3 or 4 feet, as for fruit stains, or launder in warm
soapy water.
Denatured alcohol or carbon tetrachloride.—Some color stains can be
sponged or soaked out with alcohol. Sponge greasy stains with carbon
tetrachloride. A dry-cleaning soap helps to loosen them. Finally sponge
with fresh carbon tetrachloride.
Bleaches.—Use bleaches only on white materials. Try one of the
following:
_Hydrosulfite._—Use one of the hydrosulfite dye-stripping agents
available at drug stores. Follow instructions on the package.
_Javelle water._—For stains on linen, cotton, or rayon, 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 on silk or wool.