Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-28

Every girl likes to wear thin lingerie
blouses, and only the cost OF having
them laundered prevents the majority
from wearing them constantly.
And yet if girl will give time Tor
the task, such blouses may be washed
and ironed at home for comparatively
little money.
OF course tailored blouSes that re-
quire starching must be sent to the
laundry, but such fabrics as madras
and cotton crepe are not difficult to
launder at home. because no chemicals,
which lessen the strength of the
threads are used. In the average laun-
dry the aim is, of course, to get the
best results with minimum of time
and labor, consequently chemicals for
preserving the whiteness of the fabrics
are employed.
1t goes without saying that sheer
waists washed and ironed in a laundry
will be injured still more than substan-
tial fabrics, SO for this reason alone
girls should make the attempt at home
cleansing.
| For a trial at home laundering wash
and iron a null waist. 1t requires no
starch, and after little practice with
unstarched waists person gains a
little knowledge of how to iron
starched blouses For example. girl
discovers the knack of getting the iron
into the tops of the sleeves and how to
press tucks and hens, besides a few
minor points, all without injury to the
garment being irOned.
is rather difficult. because the iron
sticks, 'smuts" are apt to transfer
themselves from iron to waists and
other ills often happen.
IT,,
cess is to soak the garments. Ii they
can lie in the bath over night so much
the better, because then less rubbing
will be needed. Into this bath put
has been melted into jelly A few
drops Of ammonia may be added to de-
strOy any Odor of perspiration.
Next morning the waists should be
squeezed through the hands and moved
up and down in the suds to release the
soil.
Then prepare second bath the same
as the first, using boraX instead of am
monia (this for whitening purposes
Squeeze as before. Soap must not be
rubbed directly on the fabric because
this thickens the threads and conse-
quentIy the waist shrinks, besides los
ing the sheer effect of the goods.
When thoroughly clean rinse In warm
water then cold, and lastly in slightly
blued water. Just show the blue bag
to the water" one amateur laun-
dress puts 1t.
The waist is then ready for drying
and there are more ways of doing this
than hanging out of doors.
With crepe or any otner fabric re-
curing no ironing drying In the open
air is desirable, but in the case of wash
silks, mulls, etc, that need ironing
but no starch. the waists may be laid
fat on a clean towel and rolled up
tightly. then left for several hours
or overnight.
Madras blouses should be starched
around the wrists and collar bands be-
fore drying unless cold water starch is
used then the entire garment is dried
and starched in parts where stiffness is
wanted.
Starch for fine lingerie blouses should
be made thin, so when troned they nave
The consistency Of new garments.
| To make the starch mix one tablespoon
| full of dry starch in about a wineglassful
of cold water. making the mixture as
| thick as cream.
| Pour upon this a quart of boiling water
and stir until smooth. Turn into the
double boiler and cook for ten minutes.
| II clear 1t is ready for use. If lumpy 1t
must be strained. II the starch seems 70
| be too thick add more hot water before
| straining.
when sufficiently cool put waists
through the starch. Wiring with the hands
| and shake thoroughly, rubbing OFF any
| starch that Is not removed by shaking.
| Hang to dry.
| By the way, a small lump of bora% dis
solved in the hot starch will often prevent
/ the irons from sticking, but this does not
preclude the use of ironing wax, which
should be applied freely to the bottom
and sides of the iron and then cleaned Off
| again.
| When only a crispness is desired, rinse