The Red Cloud chief., 1881-06-30
Washing Flannels.

Nd>niuS IduleISs
Before US are more than a dozen let
tiers requesting directions for washing
~flanncls and blankets. We have sew
eral times answered similar questions,
but almost all the duties of h~ousekeep-
ing are kept clearly before the mind of
Young people more readily by the
LINE upon line and precept upon pre-
cept" mode of teaching. Therefore,
at the risk of repeating what we have
said before, we proceed to give some
simple rules for this part of the wash
iny.
In the first place, blankets do not
need washing often. They are used
between the upper sheet and the bed
spread, and if properly handled need
not he soilcd for n long time. Occa-
~sionally blankets should be pinned
evenly on the ciothes-line to be well
aired and frcshcned. Always chose a
bright, fair day for this work in a
clean, grassy yard, so that no dust will
lodge on them. A tolerably windy day
is desirable, for it will whip out the
dust and lint that may have settled in
them through constant use.
When blankets really need washing.
the first step is 10 see that there Is
plenty of boiling water on hand. Sc
lect two of the largest tubs, and fill
one half full of boiling water, leaving
plenty more boil ng, for rinSing. Dis
solve and pour into the first tub two
tablespoonfuls of powdered borax and
sufficient soap to make n good lather.
but on no account rub soap OF to the
blankets, or leave the smallest bit float
inr on the water to settle on them.
Put into the tub but one blanket at n
time. Shake it up and down, turn it
! over in the suds with the cloth-stick.
press il under the water, and then
leave it to soak until the water is cool
enough to put the hands in. Then ex-
anime every part, gently squeezing the
suds through. Never use a wash-board
or wrinJer in washing blankets or fan
neh. Rubbing makes them hard,
"fulls" them up, by mating together
the feecy surface.
When the water has cooled to n de.
gree that the hands may be used with
comfort, get ready the rinSing tub; f1
it half full of boiling water; stir in IS
much bluing as will give the watera
clear blue color. The first suds shOuid
be so strong that the blankets. after be-
inc wrung out, will retain sufficient
soap for the rinsing water. which, Nth
woolens, always requires n little oap.
Having the rinsing water prepared,
wiring out the blanket from the first
suds. Bed blankets require two per-
sons 10 wiring them. When wruig out
as dry as two can do it, each ,crson
should take firm hold of opposite ends
and snap the blanket well and ql'ckly.
Then put them into the rinsing water.
and both take hold and shake itup and
down till the water has freely flowed
through every part. Wiring it out as
dry as possible. Snap again vigorous
". to shake up the floSsy faoric and
prevent any water settling in 'hc blank
ct. Carry to the clotheS-line and hang
it smoothly and evenly. so that the four
corners can be pulled out so perfectly
true that they match each other; pin on
strong. A tolerably windy day is the
best for washing woolens. and they must
never be washed on a dull, foggy or
stormy day.
About every half hour, or when the
next blanket is taken to the line. unpin
the first. and now spread it on width
wise. pull the selvages together in a
straight line, perfectly even, and pull
downward from the line, to prevent its
shrinking or cooking. a good wind
snaps out the water. makes the blanket
soft and Gcecv. and givesit little chance
TO shrink. When the blanket is perfect
" dry fold very evenly; lay it across a
long table when folding, and pull even
". but never press or iron a blanket.
Flannels of all kinds should be washed
lust like blankets. only they must be
brought from the line when quite damp,
pulled out and folded evenly. BY fold
inc flanuels somewhat damp. If there is
any spot a little fulled or cockled. when
damp it can be pulled out. Roll each
article up tightly for q little while, until
the whole is dampened alike; then
press evenly till perfectly dry. Don't
iron as YOU do cotton or linen. but press.
pulling the garment taut from the IRON
as YOU press. Washed in this way,
woolens will remain soft and f1eecy as
long as they last
There are many theories on the sub
iect of washing woolenS. Some advise
washing in cold water; some soaking
all night i'm cold water. For the pu-'
pose of experimenting, we have tried
many ways on old flannel. but have the
best results from the rules here given.
Professor Youmans says: "WoGlen
fabrics, by compression and friction,
will mat and lock together; but cotton
and linen tibers, having no such asperi-
ties of surface. are incapable of close
mechanical adherence. The fetting,
fulling and shrinking of wooden arc
caused by the binding together of the
ultimate tilaments. This shows the i'm
spolicv of excessive rubbing in washing
wooden fabrics. or of changing them
from hot to cold water, rs the contrac.
ton it causes is essentially > fulline
process. The best experience seems t.
indicate that woolens should never he
! put into cold water. but always into
warm. and if changed from water tc
water, they should always 60 from hot
to hotter. In cleansing delaines fol
printing. they are placed first in water
at one hundred degrees or one hundred
and twenty degrees. and then they arr
: treated eight or ten times with water
: ten degrees hotter in each change" BY
that process they shrink.-Nrs
l Haarg Ward Beecser, ia Christie,
Union