Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21
I IOUSE=
HOLD
/ lINTS

popularity, and are now used extensively.
They make an exceedingly pretty cover
with circular designs about the top as well
as border. For the January sales the price
ranges from $50 for cloth two yards in
diameter to $1450 foS a .three-yard one.
The favorite design is King Arthur, though
in the French linens are such well-known
and reliable patterns as Belle Byzantine"
Rose du Matin," Marie Antoinette,"
Tulips ct Olseaux'' "Fuchsias," etc.
For luncheons, dinners and receptions
plain damask with borders of heavy Rus
sian lace, which launders beautifully, Us
practical serviceable and rich looking.
These range in price from SIS to $S5.
new speciality are reception cloths,
dOylies and centerpieces in hand-embroid-
cred Chinese linens. The embroidery in
these goods is lustrous and rich looking,
the designs are attractive and the fabrics
launder well.
Mattresses, New and Old.-It Is not so
generally known, but January is the APP
proved time for buying new or renovating
old mattresses as well as linens. In buying
new mattresses, and prices are marked
down the same as for linens at this sea-
son, those made from puresSouth American
hair are best. This is taken from the
names and tails of wild horses, is then
rolled, steamed and curled. The second
best quality is made with an admixture OF
p1gShair with the horsehair. This is cheap
er, but is not as springy and does not last
as long. Jute is made from the moss that
comes from southern trees. Excelsior is
better and more reliable than anything eX-
cept the hair. Cotton either side Of the eX
celslor is comfortable, but far from SAN
ltary, as cotton is a strong absorbent and
holds the exhalations from the body. For
this same reason neither cotton pads nor
cotton blankets are advisable, unless light
enough to be frequently Numbered. A mat
tresS should always have a buttoned cover
to keep out the fluff from the bedding and
dust from the floor, and yet with the best
of care mattresses should be taken apart
and thoroughly cleansed once in three or
four years If they be on bed that is Oc
cupied every night.
1t is no longer considered a recommended
ton to sweet slumber to know that "this is
the bed Grandpa Jones died in, Grand Aunt
Penelope had her stroke in, or that all the
children have occupied it in turn unless
one is reasonably sure that it has been well
fumigated and thoroughly picked apart and
cleansed in the interim. Sentiment for odd
times" sake should cut no ice in the matter
of a mattress.
The bed in spare room that is only oc-
casionally slept in may not need making
over oftener than once in ten or twelve
years The regulations of the board of
health now demand the disinfection of all
bedding in cases of tuberculosis and other
communicable diseases, yet the need for
renovation is often quite as great without
compulSion from without
While the old-tme discomfort and labor
OF haVlns mattress renovated Is now re-
moved from the house, superseded by the
general establishment where all such work
is done, there are also disadvantages con-
nected with the present methods Unless
one mas absolute confidence in the uphol-
sterer there is the liability of having good
hair replaced by inferior products, or even
rags or other refuse Even in first-class es-
Establishments there is the unpleasant refiec-
uon that beds from fastidious households
are apt to come in contact with those from
Objectionable public resorts or sloyenly
families, a condition of affairs that can
scarcely be guarded against any more than
the hit-or-miss style of a general laundry
Occasionally a workman may be found who
will come to the house and do the worI, in
the old way, but this is the exception, not
the rule. In the meantime the utmost care
should De taken to see that the work is sent
to a reliable establishment where every
safeguard possible is afforded
In Buying Blankets.-In buying wool blan-
kets get the best makes, but not too heavy
Before using at all, cut apart and hind the
raw, edges to correspond with the MINER
ones; then follow the English housekeeper's
custom of covering the end of the blanket
or comfortable that comes next the face of
the sleeper with a strip of thin muslin or
cheesecloth. which can be readily replaced
When so1led. A wool blanket is never i'm
proved by washing, and should be kept as
Immaculate as possible. Dry cleansing is
the only proper way to renoyate wool
blanket. IhoSe with cotton warp stand
washing much better.
Hair Pillows.-There is a growing fancy
for hair pillows, in place of feathers rTbese
are much cooler than the old style head
rest, nave no odOr and retain their firm
ness They are made to order only but are
inexpensive, costing less than half as much
as those made of live geese feathers Roth
hnj 10
being more expensive, though really no bet
ter. AS one can see both ticking and hair
IN buying to order it is satisfactory way
of purchasing.
Pillow Wrinkle.-Every one knows how
apt pillow ticks are to grow yellow or dis
colored just where the head rests A good
way to avoid this is to keep old pillow cases
Tor TICK covers under the outside pillow
slips. F
Airing the Bedroom.-Even in the coolest
weather the bed should be aired thoroughly
every day. 70 simply throw back the COW
ers for a few moments and then make. the
bodily heat still in the bedding. invites
disease. Each piece should be taken off
separately and placed where the air can
be turned every few days, and the bed
springs and Stats wiped off weekly. If
there Is any danger of the "pestience that
walks In darkness" a clean cloth dampened
Ue uSeQ Tor the
springs and Stats
Here Word of Expostulation -He~e
however, word Of expostulaton While
bedding should be thoroughly aired the
place Tor 1t is not out the front windows
1t Is an onense against the canons of good
taste to obtrude bedding in the face of the
general public. In many of the large Ger
man cities householder on a fine resi-
dental street who dared to fling sheets and
blankets broadcast from the windows would
be called down. In this country even in
aristocratic neighborhoods, it is no uncom-
mon sight. TO discern sheets and blankets
waving defiance to the artistic sensibilities
of the whole community. There is place
for all things. but the front windows are
not the place for bedding
Patchwork.-At this season. when Shut
ms are apt to find time hanging heavy on
their hands, suggestions for a new kind of
patchwork that possesses the advantage
of covering both sides. wadding and quilt
ing, all at the same time may well be
passed on for the benefit of those who do
this kind of work. The directions as sent
in by a Sunshine friend are: cut
pieces of silk about four and one-half
inches square, turn and haste down each
of the four sides, leaving squares of four
inches. Then fold them over diagonally,
making three-cornered pieces; insert piece
of wadding the same size and shape, and
haste the edges together. Four of these