The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-29
HOUSEHOLD MATTERS.
HOW TO WASH FLANNELs.

How to wash fannels so that they will
not shrink is something about which
there is no end of discussion. Many
housekeepers entertain decided opinions
on this subject, and are very tenacious
of them, but they seem to rest for the
most part on usage, and not on any basis
of service or any given principle.
They rub their fannels out in cold
suds, and feel confident that they are
right as to process and results. But
some day they find that their garments
have a stutfy smell, and are sort OF
smooth and slippery like leather. Very
soon they are worthless, and then there
is wonder not that they are so, but as to
who has washed them in other than the
approved way, OF what has happened
to them.
Others use hot suds and rinse in warm
water. with little blue, and wiring as
dry as possible. One lady takes hours
of time patting and pulling the garments
until dry, and is worried and unhappy
because they will shrink after all of her
pains.
Wool fabric has little barbs like this
heAA. Of course, they are very
small and delicate, but they crowd upon
each other and crawl and mat in the
most curious way.
If you would know exactly how this
Is, cut off lock of hair, turn half of it
end for end, and put the two together,
the ends exactly even. Place the lock
across the palm of one hand, put the
other hand over 1t. and rub the hands
gently together lengthwise. After a
moment the cut hairs will appear on
either edge of the handj the movement
having caused them to slide lengthwise
apart.
Wool is similarly constructed, and this
is one reason why rubbing is injurious to
wool fabrics.
But this is by no means all. If q
dozen samples of flannel are washed in
precisely the same way, there may be al
most as many results as there are pieces.
Much depends upon the quality of the
wool and the condition Of the animal
from which it was taken. As no one can
be expected to know about this, it fol-
lows that to do things in as nearly the
common-sense way as possible is the only
safe way, and then take certain amount
of risk.
Unquestionably, the best process is tc
use quite hot suds. This dissolves and
removes certain particles of perspiration
upon which cold water will have no eff.
feet. As sudden changes of temperature
are supposed to add to the chances OF
shrinkage, it is we'll to rinse Immediately
in water of about the same temperature,
and little soap should be put in this
also. As wringing Injuries the fannels,
they should be very gently pressed to re.
move the first suds, and then, after rims.
ing, be pinned out on lines without any
wringing or pressing whatever. Flannels
should never be ironed, especially il
damn. Take bit of wet flannel and
hold one edge of it over the steam of
boiling tea-kettle. 1t will shrivel up like
leather. So hot irons on damp woolens
will draw and crisp them until they are
hopelessly shrunken and puckered up.
Press belts, bands, facings or other silk
or muslin parts, but field and smooth the
garments and place heavy weight over
them. The feel of them is much more
comfortable when worn without pressing,
and they will last as long again.-Meu
York Ledger.