This section is from the book "Facts Worth Knowing", by Robert Kemp Philip. Also available from Amazon: Inquire Within for Anything You Want to Know.
removing spots of grease from boards, take equal parts of fullers' earth and pearlash, a quarter of a pound of each, and boil in a quart of soft water; and, while hot, lay it on the greased parts, allowing it to remain on them for ten or twelve hours; after which it may be scoured offwith sand and water. A floor much spotted with grease should be completely washed over with this mixture the day before it is scoured. Fullers' earth or ox-gall boiled together, form a very powerful cleansing mixture for floors or carpets Stains of ink are removed by strong vinegar, or salts of lemon will remove them.
 
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