The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-10-15

The artistic Decorator and FuTnisher does
not consider it beneath magazine dignity
to talk about table linen, which is a delight
to any properly created woman. 1t says:
The proper laundering of fine table linen
was formerly considered one of the accom-
plishments ola ge~ntlcwoman, but few ofour
modern young LADIES can make even the
pretense Of understanding it. The wringer,
while it saves labor, does it at the expense
of much of the beauty of the table cloth or
napkin that passes through it. The wiring
ing out of the very thin starch or rinsing
water should be done by hand, and as it is
not at all necessary hat starchcd linen es-
pecially should be wrung very dry, the
hands will do just as well. Shake the ar
ticles thoroughly or fold them into man
agcable size and map them as old house
keepers know so well how to do. But lit
tie starch should be used in such articles;
inst enough to give them a new feeling and
to take the polish of the iron. 1t is not
necessary to use any starch at all if the
linen is ironed when quite damp and pa
tiently gone over until thoroughly dry.
Always take table cloths from the line
while still damp, repeating the shaking and
swapping process as long as the time and
strength viii permit. If allowed to become
entirely dry on the line there will be
wrinkles iii table linen that it will be diff
cult if not impossible to iron out. Care
must be taken as to how they are hung up
in the first place. Do not let them be
dragged all out of shape by hanging from
a single clothcspin or by being thrown
over the clothes post, making a projecting
corner that it will be next TO impossible to
get out without wetting the cloth all over.
When they have been thoroughly shaken
Join them evenly on a straight, firm line.
Take care hat Che pins are clean and the
line, as well. They should never be allowed
to whip or flap in q very high wind. Fine
linen is often seriously injured by this. A
quiet day and q bright sun is the best time
for doing up fine goods of thiss sort. Never
dry them indoors or by the fire if it can be
avoided. They cannot smell as clean and
have 'the exquisite odor of clean cloths
thai a famous knight of old preferred to
all other perfumes
Fold the linen evenly and roll up i'll a
tight roll, wrapping large pieces in damp
towels, so that they will not dry on the
outside. Napkins should be similarly
treated and each size and pattern rolled up
in damp towels in packages by themselves
until ready to iron. The irons should be
heavy and as hot as possible without dam
DER of scorcling. Iron table linen in single
old If you wish to bring the pattern out
| handsomely, and let there be several thick
ncsses of flannel upon the ironing board.
A damp towel may be laid over the por-
| tiou of the cloth that the operator will not
Immediately reach. When the entire sur
face has been ironed fold lengthwisc and
iron again with the selvedge toward
operator. Go over the entire length OF
that side, then fold with the just completed
portion inside, and so continue until the
cloth is folded ard done. If still damp,
haur in the sun or On a clothes-horse until
thoroughly dry. Napkins are to be similar
" done, and should never have their first
ironing when folded together, but be gone
over singly, then, folded as directed in the
table cloth. 1t is no the province OF the
laandress to make fancy folds in the nap
kin. That is done, if at all, when they are
put on the table.
1t must not be forgotten that starched
linen mildews in a few hours in warm
weather. Even if there is no discoloration
tho starch will turn sour. For this there is
no remedy but another washing, as the
odor of the sour starch is very disasreea-
BILE.