STAIN REMOVAL

A slice of cut lemon rubbed immediately over a paan stain, and then washed, will leave the fabric free of all traces of the stain.

Heat used lemon peels in heavy iron skillets with some water and salt. Cover and allow to stand for an hour, before scouring gently with a soft steel scrubber and some dishwashing soap. The skillet will come out very clean.

Remove coffee stains from fabrics, sponge stained area with borax solution, and wash off with warm soapsuds. If stain is old and dried, loosen first with glycerin solution.

Remove grease stains. Put a few drops of methylated spirit on cotton wool and rub stain. If fresh, keep stained portion between layers of blotting paper, and rub gently with hot iron, so it absorbs the grease. Then wash with warm soapy water.

Rub slices of fresh cut raw potato over mud stains, allow to dry, then wash with detergent to remove effectively.

Try removing ball pen ink stains with nail polish remover. Dab over it and rub gently with cotton soaked in remover. Wash after drying, with mild detergent.

Use a dishcloth, which has been wetted with rubbing alcohol, to rub away stains caused by water in stainless steel sinks.

Rub cigarette ash (that doesn't t mean YOU should smoke!!) over crayon stains on smooth surfaces. Wipe off the ash and the stain with it.

To remove lint from coats, trousers, etc. Take strips of wide white medical sticking tape. Place over lint-covered area sticky side down, press evenly. Peel off with a jerk. The lint will stick to the adhesive. Repeat several times with the same tape in other areas, till stickiness is not left.

To remove grease stains from fabrics. Soak stain in pure petrol. Allow to dry. Wash with soap and water as usual. Do not soak in soap.

To remove mud stains from clothes, soak and wash them in water collected after boiling potatoes.

To remove the stains of citrus fruit juices, especially of lemons from the floor, smear the stain with coconut oil and rub well. The stain will vanish within a few days.

Dirty collars - Brush shampoo into a dirty shirt-collar before running it through the washing machine. Well worth the extra effort.

Rain spots on satin, felt or similar fabrics will disappear if you brush them in a circular motion, using a soft ball of tissue paper.

Rub powdered borax on fruit stains, and then pour boiling water through the fabric before washing it.

Remove yellow food stains from tablemats, etc. by applying a paste of detergent and water to the stained areas and keep in the sun for an hour. Wash like your other laundry.

Mix spirit and milk in equal quantities, and wipe paint or ball pen stains from foam leather, like sofas, purses, etc. with ease.

Apply toothpaste on both sides of an ink-stain on cloth. Wash after dry.

Add a little alum to the last rinse water for cleaner, whiter white clothes.