Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-15
IN THE LAUNDRY.
Valuable Information About AlH<a1is
 and Other CEeansers.

and Other CEeansers.
 Chloride of lime has many valuable properties. 1t removes stains of various sorts, takes out scorched marks and acts as disinfectant and bleach. 1t must be carefully prepared and JudI- ciously used. Put two ounces of chlo- ride of lime in three coffee cup fulls of cold water, stirring 1t frequently with stick. At the end of an hour leave the solution to settle after which 1t is strained through fine muslin and bot tied for use. This simple formula is quoted from an English authority on laundering. Yellowed linens or mus lins left overnight in a bath of cold water to which a very little of this chloride solution has been added will whiten beautifully. Great care must be taken to add only little, as it's ac- ton is malicious. if too great quantity is used. Concerning still other cleans ing agents, writer in the New Idea Magazine says:
 Soda, potash, ammonia and borax are the alkalis in general use. 1t must be remembered that both soda and potash will leave the articles treated with them yellow if they are not properly used. Their values are positive, but limited. Potash, used so extensively in the manufacture of coarse, strong soaps, is an excellent cleanser for very dirty articles, but it cannot be used on fine fabrics.
 Ammonia is known as the volatile alkali." It evaporates after its office is performed, leaving no trace of it's presence except the finished work, like Grimm's fairy cobblers. It is invalu- able as a cleanser of white wools be- cause of this very quality, as it is the alkaH remaining in the 1mperfectly rinsed fannels that hardens them and makes them unfit for use. It should be put in the water on the very instant of it's use. If added too soon it evapo- rates without having done the least service and leaves the inexperienced blanchisseuse wondering why her fian- nel is yellow ocher instead of milky white.
 Borax is one of the finest alkalis. 1t is used in washing the most delicate fabrics and in cleansing colored mate rials and embroideries. Used in starch, it adds little to the stiffness and helps to give clear gloss. But 1t must be used discreetly on account Of the ex- pense. It is costly aid.
 Washing powders are valuable helps as cleansers and whiteners if their properties are understood. Used intel ligently, they are great economists of labor and really save something of the wear on all fabrics washed with them by softening the dirt 50 that 1t can be extracted without the old, protracted and strenuous toll at the washboard.
 Bran is used when the fabric to be washed is dyed, printed or embroidered with delicate coIors or, for that matter, with any colors. Alkali is an enemy to color. Why else should we use it as a bleach or stain extractor? So soap, which is. combination of alkai and grease, must be tabooed. The bran is saponaceous, but contains no alkali; therefore it can be safely used in wash ing colored fabrics and embroideries and colored wools Emitted and crochet ed work.
 To prepare bran water for use put two handfuls of bran in one quart of water. Let boil for one-half hour, strain carefully through sieve and boil the bran in second quart of water an- other half hour Cool and reduce with warm water when needed.