Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-03

the powerful agents they handle. 1t is not
single cleansing that makes the time de-
manded for the work from "a week to ten
days." formula with which we are all
familiar. 1t is the careful scrutiny of the
garment under treatment, and the renewed
application when this is demanded
The process for cleansing household goods
Is practically the same as that for wear
ing apparel The curtains, the coverings:
the carpets, have each their own special
mode of treatment.
Home cleansing is practiced by many
women with varying degrees OF success
There are women who make habit OF
washing their light waists and frocks In
gasoline, or of washing in flower white
articles that they do not think it worth
while to send to professional cleaner.
Sometimes they have good results, some,
times not. They are pretty sure to spoil
a few things before they learn how not to
do it.
The Art of Dyeing.
The art of dyeing is much older than
that of cleansing. in this country at least,
and, 1 fancy. in most others. But that art
has made such strides in the past few years
that 1T has become entirely different
matter from what it was quarter of a
century back. There are still certain re-
strictions upon dyeing-more than there
are upon cleaning-but even these may van
ish with time
have garment dyed without having it
shrunk as well. The present habit of
sponging wool goods before making them
up saves this risk. Then, again, nearly
every garment had to be ripped in the
former times Now, if it is all wool, it may
be dyed while made up. If the Innings are
of cotton or silk they will probably take
different color from the wool, but, bar
ring this, there will be no trouble about
dyeing an unripped piece of clothing.
Still, there are advantages in ripping
before dyeng. 1t is almost necessary if
gown is to be made over after dyeing. If
the article to be dyed is heavy cloth coat
or cloak the dye has hard work to pene-
trate the thick seams about the arm holes,
and the sleeves should be removed before
the dyeing Is done. If the goods are dyed
these the manufacturers finish, and the
stuff will come out looking as good as new.
But there are still many things that can be
dyed unripped.
All-Wool Goods Best for Dyeing.
All wool is the best goods for dyeing.
Silk is seldom entirely satisfactory, al
though it need not have the cracking sur
face usually associated with dyed silk. 1t
can be given the dull finish, If this is
desired. But it is rarely satisfactory, ex-
cept to use as Innings. Ribbons, also, while
they clean admirably, do not dye well.
After going through the process they are
only good for facings and the like.
Cotton goods are so hard to dye well
that many houses refuse to undertake them.
They are always likely to dye in streaks
and do not hold the color so well as other
fabrics. Yet 1 have known of persons who
had cotton hangings dipped more than
once with excellent results. 1t is always
something of a lottery, however.
In colors there Is a great variety OF
choice in dyeing. General opinion to the
contrary Notwithstanding. there is no rea-
son why a dyed fabric should crack or fade.
All colored stuffs were dyed once, and the
care given to REDUCING is no less than that
bestowed upon the work in the first in
stance. Some tints, of course, stay better
than others, and some colors of goods can
not be made to take certain tints. For eX-
ample, light-colored fiannels will not dye
blue, because Of some chemical used In
their manufacture. Velveteens and cordu-
roys are not always satisfactory, although
a really good quality Of silk velvet will
dye very we'll. There are dark shades. like
deep green or blue or crimson, that almost
any material will take.
Even Carpet May Be Dyed.
The woman who wishes to have her
clothing dyed, however must not fall into
the delusion that any old thing, no matter
what its condition, can be dyed any color. II
it is faded in streaks, the streaks will show
after it comes out of the vat. unless the
dye is black. This hue, like charity, COW
ers a multitude of sins, and there is prac-
ticauy no wooden fabric that cannot be
made good black. The goods must be
cleansed first, a matter of course, for
the spots that are in it before 1t is dipped
will show afterWard.
1t may be news to some persons that
carpets will dye, but they will take certain
colors notably crimson and dark green or
blue, remarkably well. They must always
be ripped before dyeing, or the stretched
places in the seams will show afterward.