Candle wax

Fabrics

Remove as much of the surface wax as possible. Place between two sheets of absorbent kitchen paper and press with warm iron, moving paper around so clean sections will absorb the wax. Any residual colour can be removed by dabbing with colourless methylated spirits before washing.

Alternatively, heat the bowl of a metal spoon, place a piece of damp paper over the wax and rub with the hot spoon.  This will remove all the wax.

Carbon paper

Fabrics

Treat with undiluted liquid detergent and rinse well. If this fails dab with colourless methylated spirits and then with liquid detergent containing a little household ammonia. Rinse well.

Chewing gum

Fabrics

Harden the gum by placing in the refrigerator or freezer, or alternatively, hold it against a plastic bag full of ice cubes. Do not wet the fabric. Scrape off as much as you can, treat what is left with colourless methylated spirits or a dry cleaning fluid and then wash in the usual manner.

There is a chemical called amyl acetate. This chemical will dissolve chewing gum very easily: although I doubt it is available to purchase most high school science technicians will have access to this chemical. 

It can be used on most fabrics natural and man made.

I would not use it on varnished or wood surfaces.

Allan Casey

Chewing gum on fabrics can be removed using liquid petrol lighter fuel. Remember this liquid is very flammable and take care to test the fabric beforehand.

John Grubb

Chocolate

Fabrics

Scrape as much as possible off the surface, apply a biological liquid detergent neat and then wash in biological washing powder. If the item is white and the stain is stubborn, soak in hydrogen peroxide solution (i.e. 20 volume strength 1 part to 6 parts water) and then wash again.

If the fabric is coloured or non-washable, use a grease solvent.

Cigarette burn

Furniture

Rub with FINE steel wool followed by linseed oil or alcohol.

Coffee

Fabrics

This stain can usually be removed by normal washing, as long as this can be done without delay. You can, however, apply a glycerine solution (diluted 1 part to 2 parts water), leave for about an hour to soften the stain then wash in detergent. If the stain is on white fabric and is stubborn. Before it is allowed to dry, apply a peroxide solution (20 volume strength 1 part to 6 parts water) and then wash again.

Correction Fluid (Tipp-ex)

Fabric

Skin

Scrape off as much of the white deposits as possible, as soon as possible. Clean off the remainder with a little white spirit.

As long as it is not on a highly sensitive area such as around the eyes, white spirit on some cotton wool will probably do the trick. If you do not have any white spirits try nail varnish remover, this apparently works (according to Chris).

Cosmetics (Make-up)

Fabrics

Soak for 5 minutes in a weak ammonia solution I.e. 5ml to 500 ml water of 1 standard medicine spoon to 1 pint. Rinse well. Wash in a strong detergent in the hottest water the fabric will withstand. Soften dried stains with glycerine (1 part to 2 parts water) before washing in detergent.

Crayons

Fabrics

Dab with white spirit to remove the greasy element. Soak for about an hour in a glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water), then wash in detergent in the usual way.

Creosote

Fabric

Scrape of any surplus, treat with grease solvent over an absorbent pad, and if possible, wash in the usual way.

If it is an old stain, soften with glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water), leave for about an hour, rinse and allow to dry, then treat as above.

Curry

Fabric

This stain can usually be removed by normal washing, as long as this can be done without delay. You can, however, apply a glycerine solution (diluted 1 part to 2 parts water), leave for about an hour to soften the stain then wash in detergent. If the stain is on white fabric and is stubborn. Before it is allowed to dry, apply a peroxide solution (20 volume strength 1 part to 6 parts water) and then wash again.