Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
SCIENTIFIC WAY TO WASH
Washing the Hands Explained by an
Expert
BY MARGARET MIXTER.

IL the proper way of washing ones hands
were more generally understood there
Woufd be fewer women with fingers coarse
grained and red. The idea that when the
hands are dirty soap and water should i'm
mediately be applied is many times an
error. Instead of removing the CRIME
they may only drive 1t in and the frequent
misunderstanding of this fact is the cause
of many ugly hands.
l am not to be understood as saving that
soap and water are not cleansing for Of
course they are, but to fully understand
why they may work harm one must know
something of the texture of the skin and
the effect upon it of dirt Dust in auanti-
ties or any dry dirt roughens by getting
into the pores. This roughness itself helps
to mold the dirt, and TO fully remove it
something lubricating must be used to get
below the surface. Soap goes below, or
into the pores, but It is not lubrica ting 1t
can be washed out. leaving the dirt behind
Added to that in many cases soap itself is
drying, and becomes merely an aggrava-
ton instead of cure. Only grease will
bring out dirt that is well in the skin, or
which the pores have taken up. Fat Of
'ay kind is softening and penetrating, ana
instead of further roughenng and drying
VIII smooth and nourish. Soap Will
move the grease, and the latter clings to
the dust. Therefore soap in the end is the
cleansing agent but in extreme cases only
when used in combination with penetrat-
ing cream other oily substance.
Any woman who does Homework should
always have a jar of vaseline or cold cream
of some kind on her washstand. When
her mornings work is over. with its dust
ing and sweeping, she should give her
hands a grease wash. The more dirt she
has accumulated the more important is
this bath.
Let her put into the palm of one hand a
lump of whatever fatty substance she
chooses. Faseline is cheaper than almost
any cream. and is as good as anything for
this. The vaseline, we will say, should BE-
worked well into both hands by rubbing
them together as though washing. al
though not yet using water 1t will take
not more than half minute for all the
dirt to be loosened. and the hands will look
blacker than before.
At this stage wash with water. Hot
water is not good, as it again is apt TO BE-
drying. The temperature should be just
warm enough to cut the grease, but II
must be remembered that soap aids in
this. intense heat is not required
If the water is at all hard 1t is well 10
soften with oatmeal.
This is easily done by just scalding some
GA tmeal in water enough to wet ii. Let
cool and then tie a handful into piece OF
thin muslin. Keep several of these on the
washstand, and when washing throw one
into the basin. In a mor1ent the water Will
be softened or thickened a trfie by the
property of the cereal. One bag may be
used several times.
If after washing the hands appear at all
grimy RUB on more grease and repeat the
whole operation. Never try to remove
CRIME with soap alone.
Cheap soaps are eXtravagant, for they
damage the skin. but there IS no rule that
can be laid down for the whole commu-
nifty as the quality of skin differs 81 mach.
CASTLE, excellent for many persons, IL
quite too drying for others. Palm oil soap
may agree with those who cannot use
CASTLE
Making soap requires more work than
one ordinarily is willing to do. and for that
reason it is well to experiment with dine'-
ent kinds. made by reliable manufacturers.
and stick to the best when one hndS IT.
For those women. however, who would
like to know precisely what they are using
here is a formula which shows Itself To b.
good:
Four ounces of powdered bitter almonds,
six ounces of oil of bitter almonds four
ounces of green soap. two ounces OF
spermaceti, two ounces of soap powder,
one dram of cinnabar and one dram of
violet essence. Put the spermacet!, soap
and oil into a basin and set into boiling
water. When melted beat in the powd r.
and other ingredients. Remove from tho
heat and beat smooth. Mold into cakes
and put to dry.