New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
FOR LACES OF ALL SORTS.
VARIOUS METHODS OF CLEANSING AND
TINTING FII.IY FABRICS.

Taoa &c sed in such prof,Ison not only in gowns,
but IN millinery and household decorations that
the process Of home cleaning has become matter
OF interest to most women. With plenty OF care.
Datience and time Che first essentially good lace
that has become soiled may be made to look as
well
IN washing fine laces,' says The Millinery
Trade Review" have a strip of flannel which
n haste the lace using care to have every point
basted down smoothly Make a strong suds with
white soap and water Dissolve one teaspoonful
OF borax IN half pint Of boiling water and add
10 # two quarts Of the suds When this liquid IS
tepid lay the lace IN It and let It soak for ten hours
or more. Then sop and squeeze the flannel but do
the work carefully and gently; then squeeze out
all the suds and drop the flannel in bowl OF not
suds Work gently in this water. Now rinse in
fresh water until the water looks clear. Finally
starch and squeeze dry possible.
Tack the flannel a clean board, drawing It
very tight in all directions. See that every part
Of the lace lies smooth and that all the meshes arc
open. When dry cut the basting threads and draw
them out very gently. The lace may be tinted in
the last rinsng water If the dead white Is not
liked. If the lace Is point. any Of the aces with
raised designs. it will be necessary TO lift the
raised work with a small pointed instrument.
ITO starch lace mix one teaspOonful OF starch
with two teaspoonfuls OF cold water and pour
this one pint Of boiling water. Place on the fire
and add one-fourth OF a teaspoonful of sugar and
one-fourth Of a teaspoOuful OF gum-arabic which
has been soaked in tablespoonful OF cold water
Boil for five minutes stirring all the while. Strain
through cheesecloth. For laces In which only a
suggestion of starch is desired double the quantity
OF water. For heavy laces that required to be
rather stf only half the quantity Of water.
'Gum-arabic starch is made by putting one
fourth OF an ounce OF the best white gum-arabic
IN cup or wide-mouthed bottle with gill Of
cold water Let 1t soak for two or three hours
then place in basin Of cold water and put
the fire 70 dissolve. Stir frequently; strain through
articles that need to be only slightly stinened a
quart Of water may be added to the
dissolved gum arabic.
for fine laces and let the lace soak in this for ten
hours or more; then rub gently between the palms
Of the hands. Wash In n second suds IN the same
manner rinse until the water is clear. II the
lace IS to be tinted. do 1t now then starch. Have
flannel tackled tightly on a board; spread the lace
this and pin to the flannel Be sure that the
lace is drawn properly and that each point ts
fastened 10 the flannel with pin or, the wet lace
a piece Of cheesecloth and ironed with moderately
TO give thread lace SOFT old look pass it
through water that has been slightly 'blued' and
drop of ink for every half pint of water For an
eCru tint tea, coffee saffron. Make the tint
ing fluid fairly strong and try a corner OF the lace
satisfactory agent but 1t does not give as yellow
tint coffee saffron
equal quantities OF cream Of tartar. magnesia and
powdered French chalk Spread the lace on a piece
and roll up. Let the lace lie in this for a week
ten days. then shake off the cleaning mixture.
method will only answer for laces that not
much soiled-
cover with naphtha. Let them soak for an hour.
then wash by sopping and rubbing between the
howl OF naphtna. then pull It into shape. The text
Of the lace is not changed In the least by this
method Of cleaning. If the lace needs stlffening
covered board and It dry There must be
neither fire nor light in the room when the lace
IS being washed with the naphtha. and the windows
must be open