Part of writing any genre includes research — and to me, you find some fascinating things while searching out what you need. While this particular tidbit hasn’t come into my books yet, it’s when I read the day to day lives that you realize that while fascinating, those who lived in previous times were still much like us.
This is one such example from The European Magazine and London Review, Volume 78, February 1819:
To extract grease or Stains from mourning:
Take a good handful of fig leaves, boil them in two quarts of water till the quantity is reduced to a pint, put it in a bottle for use. This liquor will take any stains or spots of grease out of ladies mourning dresses, such as bombasins, crape cloth, etc. It is only necessary to rub the soiled part with a sponge dipped in the liquor.
About the Drawing:
Artist: Rudolph Ackermann (England, London, 1764-1834
Title: Fashion Plate (Evening Mourning Dress)
England, London, December 1, 1810 Prints; engravings Hand-colored engraving on paper Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Labiner (M.86.266.87) Costume and Textiles