Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-06-16
HOW TO WASH AND IRON SILK
Soapy Water Used Must Ee Neither
Too Hot Nor Too Cold.


known as washing silks, Japanese,
Tussore. foulard, etc, but others,
such as corded silks and those of a
thicker make, will not wash well, no
matter how much care is taken.
Before commencing the actual
washing divide the silks in lots, the
white by themselves, the light colored
ones in another heap, and then the
darker or brighter colors. These
latter should be soaked in salt and
water for half an hour if there is the
least danger of the color running. as
the salt helps to fix the dye. Differ
ent colors must be put I'm separate ba-
sins. Then begin with the washing
of the white silks.
Prepare a basin or tub of lukewarm
water. add to it few drops of am
monia (just sufficient to make it
smell slightly of the chemicaD, and
then enough melted soap TO form a
soft lather.. The water must only be
tepid; hot water would make the silk
yellow. Take the silks one at time
and squeeze them gently in this pre-
pared water, moving them up and
down and pressing them between the
hands If not clean after this first
water. prepare a second water in ex-
actly the same way, and wash the silk
again in this. There must be no
twisting or wringing, as this draws
the fine threads of silk out of position,
and gives the material stretched
and washed appearance, which is
above all things, to be avoided When
the silk is clean rinse it thoroughly
in tepid water until all the soap is re
moved, and then in plenty of cold
water to give a clear appearance. It
ii can be managed it is a good plan 10
allow the cold water from the pipe to
run into the basin where the silk is
being rinsed, and to keep il running
for some time.
Continue in the same manner with
the remainder of the white silks, and
when these are finished proceed with
the light colored ones. They can be
washed in exactly the same way as
the white silks, always remembering
to use the water epid, not hot, as this
latter would quickly fade the colors
Moreover it is well to omit the am
monia from the water in which they
are washed. as it is destructive to col
ors. Give these silks also two wat
ers, if necessary; then rinse as before,
and soak in cold water for some time
With the darker and brighter col
ored silks more care is needed, as,
generally speaking, they are more in
clined to run and in some cases
when this is much the tendency it is
better to finish off one article com
pletely before beginning another.
Have the different waters ready be-
fore commencing, and then hurry
through the process as much as posi-
BILE. To allow them to lie about wet
and out of the water is worse than
anything, especially if there is a mix
ture of colors, as one would run into
the other and the appearance CT the
silk be quite spoiled. AS long as they
are actually in the water this does net
seem to matter quite so much With
some colors, such as blue, green. PIN,
or red, q little vinegar put into the
last rinsing water is a good thing: it
seems to reset and brighten the color.
For black and brown a little ammonia
is better.
The final process is simple. After
washing and thoroughly rinsing, put
half pint Of cold water into a basin,
add to il two teaspoonsful of methyl-
ated spirits, and squeeze the silk
through this. Should the water pe-
come stained with any color fresh
must be taken at once Squeeze the
silk carefully between the hands;
then shake out, fold smoothly. and
pass it several times through the
wringer between the folds of thin
cloth or piece of muslin.
As will be seen, the washing of silk
is simple matter if only a few spe-
cial points are borne in mind, viz: u
The water for washing must be tepid,
not hot; CD soap must never be rub
bed on the silk, but melted soap used
in its place; 80 no washing powder
and no soda must be used, and little
ammonia for the white silks only;
{ ~ no twisting and wringing with the
hands; 90 plenty of cold water in the
final rinsing.
Commence, as in washing, with the
white and light co!ored silks Smooth
the silk out well on the ironing table.
place an old handkerchief or a piece
of thin muslin over it, and iron with a
moderately hot iron. When partial
~ dry remove the, covering, iron the
silk with the bare iron. and In the
case of scarf or handkerchief first
on one side and then on the other. to
produce a gloss. If the silk should
feel in the least stiff or hard. shake
il out, rub il between the hands. and
iron again. When finished it should
be as smooth and as soft as when new.
Some silks, such as ribbons and
corded silks. are better kept covered
all the time, as the iron gives them a
glaze which is not suitable: discretion
should be used in this matter. When
ironing bright colored silks put a
piece OF muslin or old linen over the
ironing 70