Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-06-30
About Washing Dishes.

My thoughts went moralizing this
morning over tho dish-pan. land about
it as well as on the subject Of house
Keeping in general. The reading OF the
Rural, for April 81, with its helpful
talks, started train Of thoughts. How
often have 1 declared my hatred for
dish-washing and felt it, too. to such on
extent that l sighed because l was born
a woman. Now I'm ashamed of this
heartily so-and would be far from
confesslng it, if l were not in hopes Of
helping some one else. AS l grew to
womanhoOd l wanted TO like the things
had to do, even if they were homely
dulies, and then there were such glOri~
Gus texts to help me: Whatsoever thy
hand iindeth to do. do with thy might
and DO all things 10 the glory of God.'
II We do our work with our nigh!
and for the glory Of God, we certainly
must do it well. l believe half the
trouble over the dish-pan is because
mothers draft the girls into service
without the proper drill.
Dish-washin 9 can be made pleasant
work. and no harder on hands than
many other things that need to be done.
Let me tell you ofmy equipments
which are simple: An iron sink, low
enough so that l can sit down and work
easily-for | am not one of the strong
ones. Itstands on legs, which makes
il easier to do this. A large, fiat pan
IN which 10 wash the dishes; nat, six
Quart pan in which to rinse them. and a
LONG. shallow ono in which to drain
them. Pure linen cloths are ready to
wipe them, three.fourths ola yard long.
and shelves ready cleared and wiped,
upon which TO place them, with plenty
of hot, soft wafer, 10 be used for the
purpose. A little system IN getting
dishes in order for washing, and shelves
neat and clean TO place them upon, and
dish.washing is nothing 10 be dreaded
by anyone.
oh, but the kettles.' some one ex-
laims.
Kettles need not be hard to wash, II
good management is used. Take them
of the stove the moment they are
emptied. and fill them with cold water.
and they will be as easily washed as a
Gish.washlng, except in eXtrsme cases.
I consider it TOO impure for dishes Of OF
which one cats, unless very through
rlnsing follows.
'Why| some one asks.
Because parts Of the ingredients OF
soap are very filthy indeed. Better use
borax. Ihave stepped into peoples
kitchens may time 10 help with dishes
when felt as ifmy service would be
acceptable, and afterward was thank
fol the duty Of eating came first, else l
would have had no appetite. Some-
times q piece of factory would be given
me. full ofstains from former services
TO wipe them with; or they would be
washed IN sOap-suds without rinsing; or
the same wet cloth was mopped over q
quantity Of plates; or the dishes were
cold, aud would return to my easy
char feeling as if something disagree
able had occurred. Hundreds OF mothers
and mistresses put girls to the work
without ever a thought Of teaching them
10 have pleasure in it, or how TO do 1t
well, while there are hundreds more
that DO not know themselves how to DO
the work comfortably. Inever intend
my daughter shall hear me say l dis
ike the work, and although she is not
six. she helps me over many a tired
place by washing them forme, with her
sleeves pushed above her elbows and
standing upon her STOOL. She does her
work well and is very apt in learning
and careful, too, besides, she is so
happy because she is such help to
mamma
When done, always rinse. the wlplng
cloth in clean water, or if OF necessity
soap must be used, rinse out carefully
and hang up to dry, that it may be
ready for the next time. A goodly
supply of cloths for this purpose should
be provided, and, Of course, used only
for this. 1 have a set Of sleeves OF the
cloth, made straight, with a cord around
the wrist to be drawn over the arms
and secured by elastic. So if I'm wear
inc lace or cuffs that cannot easily re-
novel can do them up and help Bessie
with the dishes any time, and while this
lightens her labor, at the same time L
am overseeing my household and be-
coming acquainted with its needs.