Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-21
SIMPLE METHODS TO CLEAN
VARIOUS KINDS OF LACES
Processes That Amateurs May Find Successful in
Whitening Irish Crochet and Other Laces.

Lace cleaning is one Of the crafts 1t Is
not so easily acquired either, as regular
trade cleaners do not always succeed In
giving entire satisfaction. and sometimes
refuse to undertake the work unless at
customers own risk. It fs, therefore,
great responsibility to advise those VINO
vaguely ask for recipes for cleaning lace
forgetting how numerous are the dlnerent
ways, some of which do not answer
equally we'll for all kinds OF iace-nay'
with the operator herself. Practice ID the
best teacher: hence possessors OF rare
specimens should never attempt 10 nave
them cleaned at home.
Nevertheless. many practical Wrinkles
can be cleaned from some OF the various
directions published Of recent years ana
in which appear an astounding variety Oh
INGREDIENTS employed in the cleaning. ac-
cording an to whether it Is white, black
tinted. thick or light. real, ordinary or
machine made, the quality OF threao en-
ployed and several other considerations
Every detail in this operation needs the
greatest care. neatnesS, accuracy ana pa
thence, and first Of all every particle OF
dust has to be removed oy eltner shahihs
or brushing.
One of the pioneers Of the lace revival
recommends that old lace should be al
lowed to boil for about twelve hours
though not quite SO long in summer time
meanwhile q frequent change OF water
and fresh soap are Indispensable TO Sc
cure a nice color the lace Is exposed
quite wet on slab to the rays o. .ne
water is thrown over 1t to keep the lace
damp. The process is repeated Tor one OF
two days. without emitting 70 now anu
again turn the lace. 80 that ootn sues
tn A
starch. made of one ounce OF starch as
solved in two spoonfuls Of cold water. TO
which Is added one pint OF bolilng water,
MEANWHILE stirring. For hontton laces one
ounce of starch mixed with one anu q
half pints of water answers the purpose
better.
For finishing lace smooth board two
feet wide by three or four feet long Is
necessary. Cover 1t with thlck path coae.
| ing or flannel and nail this down at tne
back. Now spread on it linen checked
cloth. kept in place by pinning or sewing,
! its selvedge being kept exactly In me
with the edge of the board Lay the OUT
lined psa p 1aste an n neh apart
the edges and not upright. but horizantai-
| Nv. This pattern is not required TOT Iace
With a straight edge, but proves OF gr ..ae
| help to the cleaner. VINO can ln u pa aaa -;
collars. yandyked nounces, and SO ON:
THE outlines are sketched direct from
thu nrecis before the washing Ii proceed
ed with. while the paper Is removed rom
e the STar0 rs 30 the form on the
Oh acreG cloth. which itself serves as guide
for keeninR within straight lines. Inc
lace. nearly dry. 10 placed ngnt s.ue
downward on cloth. smoothea 70 ny Wei -,
ordinary fiatiron the pressing OF the eoges
| 10 done a hone tool being used TOT the
raising of parts in relief. as In honltoa
and brussels. and for the loops anu
! fringe This implement known as la's 81
ar Innter. should never be employed 10
| nrnduce any gloss. The round end OF d
hone crochet hook, as well as puhG ..i.
slightly heated, are also put In requisi'ioin.
/ The cleansing process-Place ana pm
| tho 1ace ON a board prepared as above
| dah II with warm water by means OF
| snonee. The fabric must on no accoun.
| he rubbed, only dabbed. Dissolve one-hail
| ounce of the best soap In two pints VI
ua.ar and dab the lace again with the
| snonge soaked In soapy water until " IL
| Rinse the soap away by dabbing with
| warm clear water. and leave the race ~
| dry after most of the moisture has been
/ removed by means of a dry sponge Oiu
laces should never be ironed nor stiHeneu.
/ II the lace is so thick that dabbing with
| a sponge will not remove the art IL may
he placed in an enameled iron saucepan
| in cold water in which soap has been
| dissolved in proportion CT two ounces Oh
| soap to two pints of water Bring II ~
| boiling point, then remove the lace, rinse
| in clear water and pin down to linen
| covered board.
| To smooth unstarched lace lay rIsnl
side down on the padded board. cover
| with damp cloth and press with hot iron
until the cloth is dry. A little white sugar
m;xed with the water in. which the cloth
| is dipped is sometimes added to producs
| a light stiffening, which Is also OBTAINED
| - S.;rg new muslin or tarlatan instead
Of the cloth Best gum arabic 10 likewise
useful instead of starch.
Pour half pint of boiling water over
| one ounce Of gum. let. stand until soit
| otirr,uE occasionally. When quite dis
solved strain the solution through nne
| muslin. Such q dressing. more or less
strong answers for lace with heavy and
| made from white soap with a pinch OF
| borax powder In the water, rinse thor