The Monitor., 1891-04-17
EcoNOMIzING STRENGTH AND TIME.

lows the receipt | will give below. an easy
method of washing which will not ipjure
the clothes. 1t has been thoroughly test
ed in my own family. The amount Of
chemicals called for costs twent v fiye
cents and makes three gallons of fluid.
One cupful is sufficient for boiler. SO it
is quite inexpensive, and SO much less soap
is needed that it is in fact as economical
in cost as it is in labor saving.
The ingredients are: Powdered borax,
o., carbonate pottassa, or, muriat of
ammonia, o., ten.c cent can of coucen-
trated lye. Into a washboiler put three
gallons cold water and empty IN the pow
ders, adding the lye last; have the fire
very slow and cover closely. Be careful
not to hold your face over the boiler when
removing the cover. as the fumes are very
strong. 1t should be ready to pour into
jugs in about half an hour. To use it. put
the clothes to soak over night in cold
water. In the morning rub little soap
on the soilea places such as collars and
wristbands, and pur them into the boiler,
in which have cold water and one cupful
OF the washing flaid. Let them boil about
ten to twenty minutes and take them out
into a tub of cold rain water. If there
are coarse clothes add cupfal Of the
hnid to the water now in the boiler and
throw little cold water in also and put
in the other clothes. Rub the clothes that
have been already boiled and rinse twice;
then blue and hang up. Unless calieoes
or ginghams are of very delicate colors
they may be washed in the water in which
the clothes have been boiled. Black.
blue or brown stockings should be washed
in strong well water. 1t is said that grass
stains are easily removed if they are well
creased before being wet. Stains of al
most all kinds in white goods may be re-
moved By boiling rag weed with them.
Tie the rag weed in bit of white cloth.
Many women economize labor in iron
ing, in the first place being careful to put
the clothes to dry straight. In folding
sheets, pillow-eases, ETC., fold evenly and
iron the hems aud edges, pressing hard on
the folded side. Towels, too. may be
sighted. Table cloths and napkins should
be well dampened aud ironed with hot
irons. Dampening clothes with warm
water makes them fit for ironing much
sooner than with cold water.
A girl of twelve can iron napkins.
towels, stockings and pillow cases. She
can clear the table and wash the dishes
and sweep aud dust. A boy of ten should
have pair of stout denim oyeralIs to
reach the ankle, then with an old coat and
cap and pair Of mitteps he can take ND
aud empty the ashes, split kindIing wood,
bring in coal. He too can clear the table.
wipe the dishes, set the table. sweep the
walks. II the children have their regular
work to do. they are much happier than
when there is nothing TO think about ex-
cept how to pass the time. Then hen
the work is through mother can give them
a little time. Some children are apt 10
shirk, but the mother must be firm enoueh
to require the work that has been poorly
done to be done over. Tho eight-year-old
girl can dress the baby. She can turn the
stockings ironing day, and she can dust
many of the smaller pieces of furniture.
1t is good thing when practicable to pay
the children a stipulated sum weekly for
duties well performed.
I wonli make the baby boy suits of
cheap flannel and the ten-year-old of a
frmer quality. Flannels may be so easily
kept clean. II they are washed in mod
eTateiy warm, not hot, water, with good
soap, they Will not shrink. A little soap
should be in the rinse water Dark blue
washes the best. Line with cheese cloth
aud lay patch under the elbows and put
a large patch across the lining of the pants
seat. 1t will save you good many
stitches later on
Have some dark stocking legs cut off at
the ankle and hemmed; draw them over
your dress sleeves when there is dirty
work to do and have couple of pairs for
your little daughter. A good careful
sweeper is great back-saver, and there is
a dust pan patented that has a long
handle so arranged that one need never
stoop to use it. 1t is patented by Mrs. NJ.
W. Fisher of this city, but | think has
never been put on the market owing to the
expense of manufacturing them. Taey
could not be sold under ninety cents apiece.
Still they are cheap to the user at that
price.