Soap solution.—Boil washable materials in soapy water (a half-inch cube
of laundry soap to each cup of water). This will completely remove fresh
stains on cotton or linen. If this treatment leaves a gray color, as it
sometimes does with an old stain, treat with Javelle water as follows:
Javelle water.—Mix Javelle water with an equal amount of hot water. Soak
the stained place for 1½ hours in this solution, and rinse thoroughly.
Then treat with oxalic acid solution (1 teaspoon oxalic acid to 1 pint
water), and rinse again. This will remove a week-old stain and will not
seriously injure the material. Soaking the stain in Javelle water of
full strength, however, rots the material. Do not use Javelle water on
silk or wool.