The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-30
Hints to Housekeeners.

Oilcloth is ruined by the application Of
I've soap. as the I've eats the cloth. and
after being washed it should be wiped
perfectly dry or the dampness will soon
rot it. If laid down where the sun will
shine on it much, ii viii be apt to stick
fast to the floor unless paper is laid I'M
der it.
Mating should never be washed with
anything but salt and water-a pint Of
salt to half a pailful of soft water
moderately warm. Dry quickly with a
soft cloth. Twice during the season will
probably be sufficient washing for bed
room, but a room much used will require
it somewhat oftener.
To Clean Carpet-The carpet being first
well shaken and free from dust tack it
down to the floor; then mix half a pint
of bulIock's gall with two gallons Of soft
water; scrub the carpet well with soap
and the gall mixture; when perfectly dry
it will look like new, as the colors will
be restored TO their original brightness.
The brush used must not be too hard,
but rather long in the hair, or ii will
rub up the nap and injure the carpet.
Velvet requires very careful manipula-
ton, as it loses its fine appearance if
wrung or pressed when it is wet. To
remove dust, strew very fine, dry sand
upon the velvet, and brush in the direc-
ton of the lines until all the sand is re-
moved. The brush must be new one.
boiling water, and add some spirits of
wine; dip a soft brush in this solution
and brush the dirt out of the velvet. 1t
may require repeated brushing. After
this, hang the velvet up carefully to
dry For finishing. apply weak solu-
ton of gum by. means of a sponge, to the
reverse side of the velvet.
To Wash Lace or Muslin Curtains
Before the curtains are put in the wash
tack all around them narrow strips of
white cotton cloth an inch or two wide.
Dissolve a little soda in milk-warm
water, and put in the curtains. Let
them remain for half an hour, stirring
and pressing them occasionally. Wiring
them very carefully-rather squeezing
than wringing-whenever this process
is to be formed. Place them in cold
water for an hour, then wash them with
soap and warm water. Wash again in
clear water, rather warmer than the
last. Rinse them in blueing water (only
slightly blue, unless the curtains are
very Yellow Wiring carefully in clean
towels. They are now ready for starch
ing. Make the starch according to the
usual process, but be sure to have it
very thin for lace Thick starch is ut
terly destructive to the fine, soft appear
ance of the lace. Stir few times round
in the starch, while boiling, wax or
sperm candle, or put into it a small piece
of white wax. If the later is used it
should be melted and poured in. When
the starch is ready, pour half of ii into
one pan and half into another. Dip the
curtains in one, wiring them out in tow
els, then dip into the second, and wiring
again. over the floor of an unoccupied
room spread a couple of sheets, one under
the other, for each curtain; shake the
curtain and lay 1t down smoothly, the
edges of the cotton cloth to the edges of
the sheet Pin down the top and back.
The other sides will then come perfectly
straight without pinning. Leave the
curtains to dry. When dry they should
not be folded but put up at once, or
if you wish to put them away for awhile
roll them lightly in a loose. soft roll, and
wrap in blue paper or cotton (the former
is preferably and lay them where no
weight will press against them.