Vintage Stain Fighters!

[fernande]

Well I am definately a bit of a stain freak. I have a nurse betty style addiction to long tossed aside vintage goodies, in hopes of ressurecting them.
I often buy items on Ebay that are "stained" and test my abilities to get out tomato sauce from 1943. I've successfully saved many a piece!

I have my "favs" for fighting
old perspiration stains
food stains, rust spots
ect
But
I was just wondering if anyone else has any other fool proof ideas or super secret methods (maybe an old home remedy or two?) to maintaining their vintage frocks (and other items) they would care to share?
(besides dry cleaning! heh)

For Me-

"GRANDMA's" stain remover is really good. for lots of things- its also eco friendly.
Carbona "stain devils" are all really good too. They have particular ones for Wine-Dirt, Dust, Blood, Rust, ect. You have to be careful though with what you are using it on- they are heavy duty!

[Miss Sis]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - BORAX!

This stuff is great. It's a natural mineral cleaner that you can use on any fabric including wool and silk. It helps to get out greasy marks and I've found it particularly good for drawing dirt out of wool, like round cuffs on jumpers/cardigans.

Just add it to your washing water and dissolve along with your washing detergent. You can put it in washing machines or when you handwash. I find it best to soak the item for a bit, say, half an hour to get the best results then was as ususual.

You can even use it to cut grease when you do your dishes or in with your starch to help give linens a glossy finish. It is the best stuff I've ever come across as it is so versatile.

Another useful tip - to get blood out, soak in cold water and salt. Works a treat.

[ssubialdea]

so how do you get out old perspiration stains? I bought a dress this weekend that has some slight ones under the arms (see it in the show us your purchases thread) Its red / grey corduroy from the 40s so I don't think I should scrub at all for fear that it might ruin the corduroy. Any suggestions?

[PA Dancer]

I found this tip for stains on farmers almanac awhile ago, but never tried it.

For perspiration stains on our favorite white shirts it calls for 4 tablespoons of salt per pint of water and dab til it disappers.

Some tricks my sister (miss suzy homemaker, herself) taught me was peroxide removes blood and aresol hairspray removes ink. These 2 tips I have used, and they DO work.

Farmers almanac used to have a great tips and hints section. When I just went to find it...it's gone!
: (

[ssubialdea]

salt huh? I'll give it a try!

Thanks!

[BeBopBaby]

salt huh? I'll give it a try!

Thanks!

Salt and water also removes red wine stains like a charm. The salt draws the stain out and absorbs it.

[PA Dancer]

I just posted a thread in General Attire & Accouterments about stains.
I found a great site that lists tips on getting out everything from grease to lipstick. Now whether or not they work, that's a different story.
Everything seemed to be natural products.
Maybe others will list what works for them too.

[Miss Sis]

You can dissolve 2 asprin in tepid water and try dabbing that on perspiration stains. Work on the reverse side and put a cloth underneath incase any dye runs.

I've tried that and it did help, although it wasn't corduroy I was working on. I would think that if it is a corduroy dress, it should be washable.

[ssubialdea]

well gave the salt a try last night. It seemed to help a little, made the stains even less noticeable. They are over 50 year old stains!
I think if I would have let it sit longer it would have done better. I freaked out and remembered something I read about salt stains and washed it off. It was fine though, I just want to be gentle with it. I'll try the asprin tonight, thanks!

[Feathers]

Hey Ladies! I was just reading up on ye ol' stain removers and was wondering if anyone could lend me a hand in removing underarm stains on an old velveteen dress? I didn't notice them until today (just received it from ebay 2 days ago). Do you think the salt would do the trick if I just did a teensy bit at a time?