Grease stains are said to be the most common stain in our clothes and in the household linen we use daily : tablecloths, table napkins etc. The author of the book "Tips for your home" explains us from the chemical point of view how are grease stains removed, applying this principles to different kinds of fabric where we find this type of stain.These are stains which always have to be treated before the fabric is washed, otherwise we will encounter the stain in tact after washing it. Besides, the stain might settle on the fabric caused by the temperature of the water we used in washing.
There is a chemical principle which explains the reasons of some phenomenons that we observe in daily life: Why treat a grease stain using another greasy substance? (margarine, butter,etc.) Why is white wine used to remove a stain of red wine? The reason is that "the substances are dissolved in the same substance".Tha'ts why, applying a greasy substance over a stain of grease, the former softens the stain which facilitates the removal of the stain from the fabric.The cleaning effects of detergents and soaps are explained in the same manner: its molecules are partly consist of lipophilic substances or eagerness for fat,which unites to the grease,and of hydrophilic subtances or eagerness for water ,which unites to the water,this way the soap takes the grease and carries it to the water forming an emulsion.
To remove the stain of grease in a cloth, right away put a small amount of talc powder or cornstarch.Leave it for a few minutes allowing the powder to absorb the stain. Rub well and wash.If the cloth can't be washed at home,cleaning it with a damp cloth is sufficient.
If, aside from the detergent, baking soda is added to the water in a washing machine, the stain of grease is easily removed.
Another effective way of removing such unwanted stains is to pour over them a little amount of dishwashing detergent, lukewarm or hot, and send it for washing.
If a velvet is stained with grease, put it over the table, cover the stain with salt and leave it for some hours.Then brush it lightly in contrary direction of the fabric's fiber.
Grease stains, which through time, appear in tablecloths and napkins and have turned yellowish, can only be removed with the sun. Wash the cloth using normal detergent and leave it under the sun. Better over the grass because it retains more moisture. Keep it damp with water to avoid drying it totally. If the stain remains after the day ,do it again the next day or leave it throughout the night as the moon too removes the stain.
If rubber shoes are stained with grease or of the bicycle oil, clean them with a diluted ammonia. Let it dry and send for washing.
When an outfit is stained with grease or of car oil, soak the garment and apply a small amount of margarine at the stained part. Wait until it is well absorbed and then apply soap,rub well and rinse in running water.The stain will disappear right away. Another way of removing the stain of car oil is to wash it with benzol, before washing it with water.
To remove the stain of grease in woolen fabric, it is adviced to moist them with a little amount of alcohol before washing them.
(Traslated by E.M, Philippines)
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