The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-10
Hints to the inexperienced.

uearU the TcLldTh ludt SutI uiOooot7- -S5GSSA
allv calicoes-which are much the cheapest
are only fit to wear while they can be kept
clean without washing. That is
true if they are washed, as most are,
without special oversight and direction from
the mistress. Very few servants, II not
smphatically cautioned, understand the
proper mode of doing UP such articles.
If left soaking in suds, or washed in the
suds which was used to wash the white
clothes; if starched stiff and with common
starch, or in flour starch if hung in the
sun to dry, and ironed on the right side with
. very hot iron, Is 1t not strange that they
are not thought suitable for use after once
having been washed and ironed. But if
carefully treated III the laundry, dresses OF
either these materials should continue to
look fresh and new till thoroughly worn out.
Black and white cotton or linen dresses are
thought very difficult to cleanse and do up,
because the color runs" and settles in the
stone, slate, brown or maroon colors. But
by a few precautions and a little extra care
In the first washing, there need be no further
trouble with any OF these cOlors.
Before washing black and white cotton or
linen dresses, or any of these dark colors
first dip them in salt and water, and hang
them in a shady place to dry. Two coffee
sups of salt to eight or ten quarts OF cold
water is the proper proportion. When dry
put them into a light suds, not very hot,
and wash as usual. A little salt in the ris-
ing water is desirable. After washing once
LII this way they can ever after be washed
without these precautions. No colored
goods should be allowed to soak at all, either
done as speedily, with as little delay when
fret barun ~ ~ consistent with hainr uall
done.
An easier rag, and we have tried it sue
e~essfully in washing the fine colored Isle and
cotton hosiery of dark and medium colors
now so much used, is to put Lack pepper
into the suds when hot, let it stand till the
water is cool enough to wash colored goods,
and then put them In and wash as usual;
rinse in one water and hang in a shady place
to dry. A great spoonful and a half of pep
per to pailful of water. The pepper does
not affect the suds at all, but sets the color,
and we are told that it is equally effective
with all cotton or linen fabrics, light or dark.
We have tried it only on hosiery, and not
on any very light colors.
Another rag. Mix W cupfuls of wheat
bran in cold water till a smooth paste; then
stir 1t into one quart of soft boiling water.
Let it boil half an hour, then strain and add
to it four or five more quarts of soft, warm
water, or enough to wash a dress in. Use
no soap, for the bran answers all the cleans
ing purposes of soap. The water should
not be much more than milk warm, and
perfectly clean. Add a tablespoonful of salt
if there is black in the dresses or any color
that may run" Rinse thoroughly in only
one water. No starch is needed, but if one
thinks 1T desirable use a little white glue wa
ter, not hot.
Many prefer muslins or calicoes very stiff.
We think it a mistake, aside from the un-
plea santness OF wearing skirts or dresses so
stiff as to rattle, that to have such articles
look like new they should have no more
stitfening or polish than new goods have.
Except the coarsest and cheapest cotton
goods, we find none in the stores that are so
very stiff or glossy. To avoid the last, iron
on the wrong side, and not with a very hot
IRON, and there will be none of theshiny. yok
which a hot iron used on the right side will
always leave.
TO rash Brown Liner. Take enough
timothy hay to fill a ten-quart kettle two
thirds full when pressed down, cover it thor
oughly with soft, hot water, and boil till the
water Is a dark greenish color. While the
hay Is boiling make 1our starch in the usual
way, and when the hay water is Of the right
color strain it into the starch, and put the
hho nv IL, Aot - UuU ttplu, lclllnp IL
soak for ten or fifteen minutes, no longer:
then wash without any soap. The starch
and hay-tea VIII clean the linen, and no rim
sing will be needed. Linen wa hid in this
way will look like new as long as it lasts.
Blue, stone, slate and Jrotcn colofed artt-
cles can be washed and retain their color per
tectly by putting sugar of lead into the water
in which they are to be washed. Dissolve
one ounce OF sugar of lead in a pailful of hot
water. When thoroughly dissolved, and the
water cooled SO as to be about milk warm.
put the articles to soak in the water an hour
Or two; then wiring OUT, and hang up to dry
before washing. When dry, wash as direct
ed in bran water. The sugar of lead fixes
the color permanently, SO it will not need to
be repeated.
Be cautious that there is no scratch, cut
or sore on the hands, and that none of this
water gets into the mouth, as sugar of lead
Is poisonous.
Fruit or Vine stains can be removed from
or cotton goods by sponging them
sently-do not u n the goods-in ammonia