The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1889-03-28

SOCOb SHVG OOH vAuNSs
How to wash Thorn ~ Home Frames for
Drying Purposes.
Take down the curtains carefully,
shake them briskly to scatter the dust
which clings to the upper folds. Have
ready wash-tubs nearly filed with cold
water "a tub for each pair OF curtains.
If taken down in the morning, let
them soak till the next morning before
disturbing them, then press--not wiring
the water out Of them. II they still
appear very dingy, add fresh water.
for II they are very much soiled, 1t will
take repeated soahings and several
changes of water to render them fit for
washing. II there are careful washers
they can then be put into the regular
wash. and be gently pressed and
rubbed with the hands, then boiled and
scalded. Let them dry before starch
ing, and IL torn, mend them. Use clear
star1h and let IL be well-boiled. They
must he made rather timber than stiff,
and should not stand out in firm folds
when dry, or they will lose their lace.
like characterics. After starching,
hang them carefully over the line,
but not so as to stretch them.
They should remain on the line till Q
little more than half dry. In the mean
time have sheet Zone for each cur
tain) spread out and tackled on the
floor, or pinned on the carpet, being
careful II OH the latter to leave no
wrinkles in the sheet. When the cur
tains are nearly dry double each one in
half, placing end to end-if long cur.
tains-then lay each curtain on sheet
and pin the hemmed ends neatly and
carefully to one end of the sheet, then
60 to the folded end and draw that
down by the sides, being cautious about
stretching out the center. Leave no
wrinkles. Pin down the sides first,
going from those to the center, keep
ing an even line always. II possible
keep the edges from drawing into
points, placing the pins close enough
to prevent it. Change the pins II it
becomes uneven, looking carefully to
see whero 1t must be done. All must
be done gently or the lace will bulge
out when dry. If space is limited it is
best to do one curtain at time. Should
breeze be going it will hasten the
drying process to open the windows.
As soon as dry they are ready for put
ting up again, and will present almost
as good an Appearance as if new.
Lace curtains should never be
ironed, as often done; they show
numerous bulging places, where the
lace has been stretched, besides the
process Injuries the effect OF the design,
often warping flower or leaf to one
side.
If there is no floor space at COM
mand, another plan may be followed
in drying the curtains: Procure the
long handle of wall or window
brush. Pin q sheet around this. wrap
ping 1t as closely and smoothly as pos
sible. Take another sheet and lay the
curtain on it, putting the end of the
curtain to the end Of the sheet Then
lay this end in line on the pole and
roll 1t over and over round the stick,
using two sheets II one is not long
enough. It will take two persons to
do this in order to keep both sheet and
curtain stretched evenly over the pole.
When done and fastened securely with
pins. the pole can be set up in corner
till the lace becomes dry. If done as
directed tho appearance of the cur
tains will repay for the care bestowed
upon them, as they will seem like new
ones
There are movable frames construct
ed for the purpose OF drying lace cur
tains. These have very small hooks
on the ends and sides, that take hold
evenly and keep all in place till dry.
They are used at laundries where cur.
tain-washing is a business. The price
varies from three dollars up. Yet we
have seen curtains done up in pri-
vate family, as described above. that
were quite as we'll restored for use rs
those done on frames. Where it is not
too expensive it is best to use gum
arabic for stiffening all laces, fine mus
Inns and lawns. It gives freshness
and the crispiness of new goods to
worn fabrics and leaves no Jumps or
smeared surfaces. Anna Griscom, in
Good Housekeeping.
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