New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-22
HOW TO WASH AND STARCH CoLoRED
COTTON GOWNS.

Good managers usually do the greater part OF
their srrng and summer sewing and renovating
in tho quiet Of Lent. The fashions for simple cot
ron gowns and shirt waists Of which no woman
can have too many are determined by this time
and whatever Is needed in this lne may just as
we'll he made now as later. The old lawns should
also he brought our and done up. and II necessary,
altered in accordance with the changes in fashion.
II is an easy matter to do up lawns II one does
not attempt TO do many at once. Caretui
uomen now wear n properv made lawn for an
entire season without submitting II once TO tho
nil des,ructve hands OF tho ordinary laundress.
Raw starch and coarse alkali soaps are runous
both 70 fabric and color. and II one cannot 10 up
ones own dresses. or attend closely 70 the matter
I. novs 70 have them cleaned by regular cleaner.
n the work Is properly done and the garment 10
made M substantially. so that It Will rot pull out
~ ebane when worn It will last long without
heirg done up again light silk. But II must
hn worn as the silk Is worn-with shields ana tho
proper undsrwaist protect the lining. IL may
al.o bo snonged off occasionally at the neck and
wrists where T. touches the flesh. ana the SILK
should be similarly treated Use little alcohol In
the water.
II lawn cotton gown is put in the general
wash II is sure 10 be shrunk and pulled out Of
shape before 1t Is ironed. even II II Is ")t FADED
and starched to bcardlike stiffness. and tho IRON
ing COMPLETES the work OF destruction. Tho av-
eraee loundress irons cotton goods on the outside
and laboriously polishes them. whereas all these
goods should have dull finish, as they VIII have
u they are cleaned properly. They should have no
more stiffness than when they were new
TO MAKE READY FOR CLEANING.
The first process in cleaning a lawn or cotton
gown Is 10 rip all puYs and gatherings which can
rot be reached with iron on the under side. a.
all parts OF tho garment must be pressed on tho
wrong side in order give the dull. soft appear
ance OF new goods. All the best cottons are color
proof II washed cleaned with white nom
rssinous soaps rinsed thoroughly, and dried as
quickly as possible in a dark room. Examine all
parts OF the goods after ripping and clean of
ou grease Spots and badly soiled places with
little brush dipped In hot soapsuds. The edge Of
the skirt usually the part most soiled IL 1t Is
heavily stiNened the stifrening must be ripped out
After this the entire skirt may be thoroughly
rinsed through four or fve successive waters. The
ing unless the dress is clear white or blue, in
which cases little pure West Indian indigo
must be purchased at drug store. There is no
market substitute fer the blue bag thai b. EQUALS ;hti
enough alone. ii is not wise 10 insist tina; a laun-
dress who is accustomed 10 good make OF MANI;
probably make bad work OF IT. In an Intelligent
hands b s w aToRs TD.r viii S re nc
a white lawn just the proper peariy tint II should
have II the Lawn Is WHIT psaec Use o S,e
water. While II Is stu wet starch II. making the
starch as follows:
STAltCH
Melt a heapins tablespoonful Of the best market
starch In little cold water. and stir II into two
quarts OF boiling water Sti: Il well. and let II
boil slowly for one hour Strain while no, through
n lawn bag After starching the lawn. be careful
10 wiring It as dry as possible and rub the starch
we'll into the goods Dry II quickly In dark.
warm room. and a. IL Is well dried sprinkle
IL and roll IL. In twenty minutes or nalt an nonr
iron II carefully the wrong side. A DARK lawn
ar cotton should he starched In giue-water. out
only enough 10 give II the body OF new goods
D,ssolye A Tablespoonful OF new glue In little hot
water and stir It into four quarts OF boiling water.
Strain and use.