The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-01


which it is to be used. as one pound to
the gallon: pint of the solution to be
used with tubful Of water. II the
washing must be done with the
hydrant water, always containing as
il does, more or less lime, soda will be
almost necessary for softening ii,
which it does by causing the lime in
solution to fall out as insoluble cal
eium carbonate.
The blueing Will come next on the
shelf. Mrs Richards in the Chemistry
Of Cooking and Cleaning" tells US that
OF fifteen s.0ecimenS OF bottle blueiug
examined, not one was found to bs
anything but Prussian blue, chemical
that has not quite superseded the
dearer indigo. She adds the caution
that since Prussian blue is decomposed
Hlkali in such a manner that its iron
can fix itself into the cloth as iron-rust,
unusual care must be taken in rinsing
the soap from the clothes before put
ting them into blueing water.
We come now TO the chemicals 70 be
used in the more delicate parts of the
wash. Ammonia TO soften the water
for the finer flannels and borax for fine
muslins or prints-both milder and
safer alkalies than soda and soap, bu.
too expensive for the entire wash.
We shall also have a small bottle of
sugar OF lead for fixing the colors in
doubtful prints and muslins; one tea
spoonful to pail of water.
This leads to the removal OF spots
and stains from clothing. and mere we
tread on ground where we would like
TO have the chemist as our leader. II
is in fa TT the dyer's art we are practic-
ing, in however bungling a way-b0th
when we fx the fruit, grass or ink
stain in the fabric and when with the
chemicals ct our command we attempt
their removal.
We are not to forget, in the first place,
that we cannot sh ut up in the laundry
cupboard our best solvents, heat and
light. Hot water alone Is wonderful
agent The suns rays shining on clean
country snow or grass plot are I'M
equaled bleachers. We have in this
bleaching a true chemical process-a
burning or oxidation. though without
fame. The oxygen of the air. made
active by moisture and sunlight-and
BY the vegeta bl c processes going on in
the leaf, seizes greedily on many sub
stances, especially organic coloring
matters. This power we utilize when
we lay the time-yellowed garment on
the June grass, or aid with direct sum
light the action of the chemical that
we apply to a stain.
It is well also to remember that
many so-ealled stains can be mechan-
ically dislodged. "a good hard rub
ON the washboard does sometimes
work wonders if the fabric will stand
it. But as to removal of stains by
scrubbing and securing. not to speak
of polishing, we are far from proficient
in this country; our whole search Ia
for easy ways.
A housekeeper of scientific tenden.
cies rejoiced to hear that muriatic acid
would remove the iron stain deposited
on the water closet basin, but the
woman employed for housekeeping re-
garded the suggestion with disfavor.
II always use brick dust and flannel
rag" she remarked; and, sure enough,
the iron stain proved in this instance
TO be easily enough removed without
chemicals
But to return to our laundry cup
board: it must contain, besides the bot
ties TO be enumerated. some well-glazed
bowls that are on no account to bs
mixed with kitchen utensils, and
glass rod for rubbing in an acid or
other chemical too strong to be touched
with the hand. An ordinary medicine
dropper will also be found useful.-Ds-
troit Free Press.