Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-09
Washing Day.
1Eroyn tho phjlado1phia T;nnas

Whether to soak the clothes overnight or not
Is much disputed question with housewives
Where pure ctstern water can be had 1t Is
doubtless an advantage. but to soak clothes In
hard water, sets the stains rather than removes
them, and river water, unless uttered waen
drawn of In quantities, as q rule, contains so
soaked In it for any considerable time. Wringers
are blessed invention on the WHOLE although
hard on buttons. But f1anneiS should not be
passed through them as they rub the wool
4 possible, be dried In the sun and in
the open air, aud "never yet did housewife
notable greet with smile rainy washing
Lot always convenient to postpone the weekly
wash. In that case, sheets and any other large
bite pieces which are not to be starched, may
ce hung out in the rain, which will bleach
smaller pieces In an unused room up stairs trsS
when the rest may usually be disposed OF by
hanging at night on lines stretched across the
kitchen, where the heat OF the fire will dry
them before morning. Blankets ought never
TO be washed In rainy weather. Select bright
summer day for the work, and let 1t be done
them and stretch and pun them carefully when
putting on the lines. Then pull and fold them
dry, and put uneer press instead OF ironing.
Unless care is taken to see that the clothes
pins and clothes lines are kept clean, ugly spots
and streaks will result. The lines should never
be left out overnight, unless it is necessary In
order to dry them after being caught In
shower. In such case they should be wiped
with cloth before the clothes are again hung
on them.
shirt-board for ironing, is necessity In
every well-regulated family. This should be
and have the ironing sheet, also double, smooth.
ly pinned over 1t, SO that 1t cannot slip. Keep
wax tied up In rag to rub on the irons. The
polish on collars, etc., done up at large laun-
dries Is given by means OF polishing iron and
by dint OF much rubbing. It may be done by
any good laundress but takes much time and
Is fearfully hard on the linen. Spermaceti
added In small quantities to the starch gives
pretty gloss.
II the clothes are not aired In the laundry
before bringing them up stairs, it should be
thoroughly done before they are put away
FlannelS should never be worn within week
fatal consumption or attack OF pneumonia have
been sown by wearing damp clothing Every
garment should be mended before It is put
away. Buttons and strings may be Sewed on at
once, and single stitch, which taken In time
saves nine, may also be set as the clothes are
sorted. Larger jobs OF mendtng should be placed
In a drawer or basket to themselves and the
work done as soon as possible. II allowed to
sumo formidable proportions; whereas, II done
regularly every week, It viii rarely be more
than the task of q forenoon. After all, there Is
no better rule than the old rhyme Of
Monday is the washing day.
As every one may know;
Memorable Of dishes washed
And clothes a. white as snow
And Tuesday is the ironing day
To make the Job complete:
While Wednesday is the mending day
To see that all is nest"
weekly washing was first fnaugurated In Amerl-
ca. In Hungary still 1t is Semi-annual event.
and every spring and fall great heaps OF clothes
are taken to the riverside and the washing lasts
for several days. When Ii Is over there is feast
and dance, as at harvest home or a barn.
raising.