Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-05-16
Washing With Kerosene.

washing w lOh ACIOSChS'
Christian Enquirer.
A correspondent in the Detroit
Homestead writes: "There has
been so much said in various pub
LEGATIONS for and against the kero-
sene method of washing that I am
tempted to give my way, which l
think is little better than any |
have seen. I tried many times,
following directions carefully, and
each time gave it up in despair,
because The kerosene would persist
in floating on the top of the water
and the odor of the oil remained
in the clothes even after they were
ironed. At last, by experimenting,
I have found that I can wash with
kerosene and have my clothes
white and clean, with half the
work required i'll the old way, and
they smell fresh and sweet when
they come from the line. Toe
clothes also wear longer, and those
which have become yellow from
careless washing or any other cause
will after few washings be as
white as ever. Fill the boiler two
thirds full of water. My boiler is
small, and I use about four pail
fuls of water. Now shave three
fourths of bar of soap into a
basin or small pail, pour nearly
two spoonfuls of kerosene on the
soap, then add pint of hot water
and set on the back Of the stove,
stirring often until the soap dis
solves. The kerosene will mix
with the soap and more water may
be added if needed. Pour half of
this water into the boiler and it is
ready for the clothes. Some peo-
pie put the clothes dry into the
boiler, but / like better to put
them into a tub of water, then
wiring out and put in to boil. Put
in the finest clothes first and be
careful not to crowd the boiler.
Let them boil hard for fifteen
minutes. Then take them out into
tub of cold water and put the
second lot into the boilsr after
adding half Of the remaining hot
soap to the water in the boiler, also
pal! of water to replace what was
taken out with the clothes. Whlle
they are boiling get the first lot
ready for the line. Wash them
thoroughly in the first tub, rub
bing between the hands or. on the
board any place which is still soil
od then throw them into q tub
we'll filled with blue water. Rinse
we'll and they are ready to be
starched and hung on the line.
Serve the second boilerful in the
same way. Use the remainder of the
soap for the last boiling of white
clothes. After the white ones are
boiled put the aprons, colored
shirts, etc., except new ones which
will fade, into the boiler, and let
them boil few minutes. This
will loosen the dirt so that it will
come out with very little rubbing
in the suds water. Mems socks
and pants, which are usually the
worst part of the washing, will
come clean with comparatively
little work after boiling a short
time in the kerosene suds. The
colored clothes may be washed
through some of the suds, using
the piece of soap left to rub the
soiled places. In this way one bar
of soap is sufficient for a large
washing, AMI as there is so much
time and labor saved consider it
avery economical and easy method.
There are many articles offered in
the stores to assist in washing, but
the kerosene method has two ad-
vantages, the oil is at hand IN
every house and it will not weaken
the fble of the clothes"