The San Francisco call., 1899-06-25

" " your soiled odds and ends
and trifes light as air, that have cost a
pretty penny, but insist on getting soiled
at the very first opportunity
Ribbons and fimy laces, chiffon bows
and mousseline ties, crepe de chine vests;
In fact almost every frou-frou frill can,
after an introduction to the proper clean
ing process be made to look just as good
as when they fluttered temptingly in the
shop window
A woman and her money are soon part
ed at the neckwear counter. These soft,
cloud-like confections are so becoming,
and. of course. they are always displayed
in the kindest light. So madame pays her
81 or 500 for them She buys them in haste
and repents as soon. For. not knowing a
bad thing when they see it, these neck
pieces prove susceptible to every bit Of
dust that comes their way.
There Was never time when fluffy
neckwear was so popular as ii is now.
There never was time when il was more
fragile. In days gone by plain chiffons
were used. and while few knew how to
clean these properly, the plain chiffon
was not Considred as hopeless of reclama--
ton s are the elaborate embroiderles or
to-day
their soiled state into pristine freshness.
J know you think I'm rOmanCing and that
I'm going to tell you of method that
hase never been tried, but was invented IN
a newspaper office.
little French lady who makes her Nv
p F5 mending laces and cleaning t1he en-
broideries took me into her secrets. 80,
roll up your sleeves and pay attention
while l initiate you.
First, then. make a lather Of finest
white CASTLE soap and let 1t stand until
nearly cold. Then take out your solled
chiffon or what not and soak it in the
lather. Do not under any provocation,
however soiled the material may be run
It. Pass II gently through the nngers,
shake il about for a few minutes until
thoroughly clean. then rinse in cold water
until it leaves the water quite clear.
Now dissolve a pinch of gum arabic III
half q cup Of water, add few drops or
white vinegar and dip in the muslin. Put
It afterward in a soft towel and pat 1t to
press the water out OF II: Iron at once
on the wrong side only. with tissue paper
placed over it, using an iron that has
cooled down a good deal.
Remember when cleaning colored EN-
broideries OF chifons that you may re.
store and brighten the colors by careful
washing. but color that has been de-
stroyed by using too hot an iron can never
be regained by any known process.
In washing silk embrOideries the water
must be very soft. A few drops Of am
monia will bring this desired result.
When the Colcrs are delicate add a few
drops Of white vinegar or a pinch of salt
or both of these to the gum water.
Larger pieces Of embroidery should be
pinned on q frame after the rinsing water
has been pressed out of them; all the
parts of the design should then be brushed
over on the wrong Slde with a Gamer
hair pencil dipped in a thin solution Of
gum and vinegar The frame should then
be put at once in a strong current of air
as it is important that soft material be
dried as quickly as possible.
. When material is part cotton il is best
cleaned in bran water baths Add one
quart Of bran to three quarts of water
and let ii boil for half an hour. then strain
and pour into TWO basins. Add cold water
to make one basin lukeWarm and soak the
material In this, gently shaking it until
clean. Rinse in clear warm water and
give the article the stiffness that it had
when new by dipping it into the second
basin of warmer bran water. Press out
the moisture and dry quickly.
The ironing process for all kinds of en-
brOidery is much alike. The table should
be covered with thick soft flannel and
very smooth sheet When there is
much shrinking pin he article by its
edges TO the ironing board. wrong side up
always. Iron quickly from the center out
ward TO press the wrinkles toward the
edges, where they are most easily dis
posed Of
Follow these instructions and your chif-
fons, laces and embroideries will take
rev lease Of life.
The shirt-vaist question is never dis
posed Of. II never will be--heaven bless
Though its shadow has grown less in