Wednesday 28 September 2011

CLEAN SWEEP

   I thought it would be good for many of us handling old and worn textiles to learn of simple remedies for removing stains -  I have suggested Rubigine from France for removing iron mould (rust) stains, it's just magic! Vanish for ordinary ones and Napisan for restoring bright whiteness - others have said sunshine, I say moonshine, and , lying on the grass - the sheet, not you - and soaking may be the most important part of the process - just two or three days in plain cold water can work wonders.  Any more suggestions?   I do not find Stain Devils very useful so far!  but I daresay Health and S. forbid greater strength of chemicals.  The French seem able to poison their families much more easily.  Please send your suggestions and I will print - we are all in this together and it is so good to rescue spoilt and damaged articles for further use.  DID YOU KNOW STARCH, AFTER A LONG DISAPPEARANCE, IS BACK ON THE MARKET?  Personally I only use it occasionally and a little goes a very long way (see my future Blog on Cornelli muslin curtains from France) and I was surprised to hear that powdered starch will be back at our wonderful local ironmonger's  next week - will it still have a robin on it?  I never liked the 'plastic' starch which was also jolly expensive, just as I hate furniture 'cream' made with silicon which wrecks old woods with its plastic seal., and as an ex-bee-keeper, know that there is nothing better than old fashioned beeswax, turps, etc.

4 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing your advice/experience on this matter with us. I for one am very grateful.

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  2. I shall be sourcing Rugibine forthwith! The rather dubious, but very successful liquid in a plain white bottle(!) that I used to buy on Ebay for removing iron mould and rust marks is no longer being sold and I have been at a loss with regard to finding a replacement. Thank you so much. M

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  3. Thanks for this, I did have a look yesterday on my supermarket shelves here in France, they had everything in this range but!! egg, blood etc removal.
    I am sure I will come across it soon though.

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  4. Remember that some of these chemicals do not damage fabrics but are quite dangeerous - Rubigine removes the glaze on painted china, as I discovered so do take all precautions when using, wash hands well and do not rub face or eyes - it leaves no trace but is lethal!

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