Murgatroyd

Murgatroyd's Butler's Kit

Murgatroyd's Butlers Kit
 Murgatroyd

Murgatroyd's Kit

Murgatroyd uses a number of houshold substances to help him deal with day to day stains - below, he offers some advise about their use.

Stains are always best removed as soon as possible, to this end butlers have a "stain removal kit" in their pantry. I will give a list and their uses, you should think which risks it is reasonable for you to expect and stock up accordingly In small quantities.

Many stain removal agents, including proprietary brands are harmful and some are poisonous. Others are highly flammable or give off toxic fumes. Be careful and always read the label.

Butlers have their pantry which, because of the nature of their work, is always well ventilated, please make sure you work in a similar manner. Always open the window; make sure there are no naked flames, including pilot lights or radiant heaters. Never smoke while using any stain-removing agent, be careful of disposal and wear rubber gloves. Keep all your butler's items away from children, buy in small quantities and do not decant into unlabeled containers.

ALWAYS TEST ALL REMOVAL AGENTS ON THE FABRIC FIRST. TRY SOME ON THE BACK OF THE LAPEL OR SOME OTHER UNNOTICED PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WORSE STAIN CREATED.

Substance Method
Ammonia Household quality, use diluted one ammonia to three water. Remember ventilation. Good for neutralising acid stains. Can cause certain dyes to run, test carefully.
Biological washing powder Use makers recommended strength. Do not use on protein fibres like wool or silk or on flame resistant or rubberised fabric. Do not use when there are metal fastenings. A ring is liable to be formed around the edge of where the stain was soaked unless great care is taken when wetting the garment in the solution and slight colour fade is possible. TEST carefully and rinse well.
Borax This is a mild alkali, which works on acid stains. Borax is used in a solution of 30 Mls to one litre of water. Use it to soak or sponge washable fabrics, 10 to 15 minutes is usually enough. Soaking coloured fabrics for longer will cause a slight bleaching. On white fabrics sprinkle borax directly on to the dampened stain, stretch fabric over a basin and run hot water through the cloth until the stain disappears. Borax can be used on most fabrics.
Glycerine Good for softening a staining substance. A soft stain is usually easier to remove than one that has set hard. Use Glycerine diluted in equal parts with warm water. Rub it in gently and leave to soak for an hour. Remove by rinsing or sponging with lukewarm water.
Hydrogen peroxide. Buy it in 20 vol. strength use diluted 1 to 6 with water. It can be used as mild bleach for scorches. It should not be used on nylon or flame resistant fabrics but most other fabrics can be soaked for up to fifteen minutes. As it is a bleach be very careful with coloured or patterned cloths. On non-wool fabrics adding 2.5-ml ammonia to each litre of hydrogen peroxide/ water mixture can speed up the bleaching process. Very good for removing the last remaining discoloration after major stain is removed by other means. It does weaken the cloth so be very sparing.
Methylated spirits. Excellent for grease stain removal. BEWARE it is extremely flammable and poisonous. Use it neat, dabbed on the stain. Check that colour will not be affected. Never use on acetate or triacetate fabrics. Do not use on French polished surfaces, as it will dissolve the polish.
Non-oily nail polish remover Never use on acetate or triacetate fabrics.
Stain removers All proprietary brands will leave a circle where the liquid was applied; they must be feathered and spread thinly over a wide area.
Clothing Stains Removal Butler's Kit for stain removal Recipes for fine cocktails Recommendations for a wide range of excellent services in UK Suggetsions of services for inclusion in Murgatroyd's Recommendations