Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-03
TO RENOVaTE BLACK GOODS.
Recipe for an Excellent Cleansing Fluid
Which May lie Made CheaplE.

An excellent cleansing huid. es.
| pecially useful when mems garments
require renovation. is prepared as fol-
lows: Dissolve four ounces OF white
CASTLE soap shavings in quart of
boiling water. When cold add four
ounces OF ammonia, two ounces each
of ether. alcohol and glyeerine. and a
gallon of clear cold water. Mix
thoroughly. and as it will keep for a
long time, bottle and cork tightly for
future use. This mixture will cost
about so cents and will make eight
quarts.
For mems clothing, heavy cloth. etc.
dilute a small quantity in an equal
amount of water, and. following the
nap of the goods, sponge the stains
with q piece of similar cloth. The
grease that gathers upon the collars of
coats will Immediately disappear and
the undiluted fluid will vanquish the
more obstinate spots. When clean
dry with another cloth and press the
underside with warm iron. This
fluid is also useful when painted walls
and woodwork require securing. a cup
full to pail of warm water being the
proper proportion.
When washing black dress goods
soap must never under any circum-
stances be applied directly to the ma
terial. In order to obtain the neces-
tirely dissolved in basinful of boiling
water and then thrown into the wash
tub.
Black lawn-Wash very quickly in
hot suds, for this material must not lie
wet; rinse in deeply blued water, and
hang in the shade; iron upon the wrong
side while still damp. If stiffening is
desired. dry thoroughly. and before
ironing dip the goods into very thin
and very blue starch; hang once more
in the open air. and iron when nearly
dry.
Black Grape requires careful treat
ment. Remove the dust by gently
slapping it between the hands. Steam
small pieces by holding them over the
spout OF the boiling tea-kettle. and
larger ones over dish-pan Of boiling
water Lay the moist pieces of Grape
between two layers of sheet wadding
and press beneath heavy weight
the slab of a handicapped table, or
the pastry board weighted with books
or fat-irons. 1t is we'll to place a
width of soft cheese-cloth both above
and below the Grape in order to pre-
vent the cotton fluff from adhering to
it.
Black velvet-Brush carefully. and
steam to raise the sunken pile. Two
persons, their hands protected from
the steam, are required to do the
work. While one holds the heated
iron with its smooth surface upturned,
the other, throwing a very wet towel
over it. presses the wrong side of the
velvet down upon the iron. so that the
rising steam forces the pile into place,
aud continue this as long as possible.
lastly. the wrong side of the velvet is
drawn quickly across the surface Of the
iron itself.
Black Si'k-Purchase a few ounces
Of soap bark at the drug store. accord
ing to the amount Of silk 10 be cleaned.
Steep two ounces of the bark in a
quart Of warm water for a few hours.
Rip and brush the silk and remove all
threads left by the former stitches.
Spread the pieces upon the lap-board
or Il clean table. and after straining
the infusion, sponge on both sides with
a scrap of silk. A lather will form,
and this is then to be wiped away with
another piece of the silk. Do not
wiring the moisture from the silk;
spread the different pieces upon sheet
laid over the carpet and pin them at
tie corners. When dry the silk will
look like new.
Black cashmere-Wash in hot suds
and rinse twice in lukewarm water,
well blued. If a clear day hang in
the open air, and iron upon the wrong
side when nearly dry. Long, steady
strokes of the iron and even pressure
throughout will restore the original
silky sheen of the material.
Back alDaca-Proceed as with cash
mere. and add little gum arabic to
the last rinsing water.
Black lace-SDrcah out the lace up.
On towel stretched over the lap
board and. using an old black kid
glove or soft piece of silk for the
purpose, sponge thoroughly with solu-
ton of boraX-a teaspoouful to a pint
of warm water. To retain the shape
direct the strokes from the selvage out.
ward. Cover with piece of old silk
and iron dry.