Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-26
Laundering Silk Waists.

NOTHING perhaps is so practical and
~ useful as the dainty silk waist SO
much worn, especially as the washing and
| ironing of silk and very easily done. II
two or more waists are to be washed on
the same day, do not wash them at the
same time; sort them into colors, putting
the white ones alone.
Soap jelly is q valuable help and Is cas-
lily prepared. though it should not be
made too long beforehand, as, IL kept
more than a week, it loses its strength.
The quantities used are a quarter Of q
pound of soap to each quart of water.
Shred the soap finely with knife. put
ting 1t into saucepan with the water to-
melt slowly until IL is clear and without
Jumps. Then pour it on into jar or ba-
sin and let it remain until required. When
melting the SOAP do not boil IT. quickly
and do not fill the saucepan. even though
you mean to have big wash. as the
not only wastes it, but causes an unple2s-
ant odor in the house.
Have ready three bowls OF lukewarm
water. and into two of them put some OF
the soap jelly. In the first bath plunge
the waist, having the right side upper
most. Squeeze the >soapy water gently
through the fabric. keeping it well under
the water, and paying special attention to
the neck, wristbands and armholes. When
the waist is well washed in the first wa
ter squeeze the water out of it.
Do not wiring it: turn it on the wrong
side and repeat the process OF Wasnlng In
the second bath of soapy water. when
well washed, squeeze; shake and rinse In
the clean warm water TO remove tno
soap: If put at once into the cold waters
the soap. might cling to the SILK. sla1ten
rinsing thoroughly in the warm water,
rinse in cold water, and, II possible,
under running water. To make white
silk good color 1t should be rinsed In
blue water. Should white Six De oiS-:
coiored after washing soak 1t In warm
milk then wash 1t very quickly, repeat
ing the process Just given for the begin
Ming Do not have the water too hot TOT
silk, and never rub soap on II. nor should
you, wiring or twist it. as that would give
it coarse, thick look.
silk must be ironed quite damp or "a
will have a rough, unfinished appearance
piece of muslin between 1t and the right
side of the silk A hot iron yellows silH
and gives a crimped. rough appearance
After passing the iron over the muslin
take it away and iron the silk to make -
have a good gloss.
Ax
Any lace trimming on the waist should
be ironed on the wrong side, as lace should
not have gloss. II theshot iron were
put directly on to the surface Of the wet
silk the silk would stick to the iron. ana
this would make it have a shriveled look
hence the need OF the muslin. Bogtu
ironing with the collar band and neck
then the sleeves Use q sleeve board tor
ironing the sleeves. After ironing ~
the small parts begin with one side a
the waist and iron the whole OF that
Silk should be ironed quickly and care
fully, so as not to make creases, as IT Is
almost impossible to get them out. IL
the waist is trimmed with lace and lace
insertions. gather up tho lace In the hand.
dip the fingers into some starch ana puS
It on the lace. Squeeze out the starch.
being very careful that II does not touch
the silk. For the insertion spread Il out
fiat on the hand and put the starch on ~
evenly with the fingers. Put the starched
parts carefully over each other when
rolling the waist up In the cloth PREVIOUS
to ironing. Ironing the silk wet gives IL q.
smooth and glossy appearance. but
should the waist get dried before tt 10
froned dip 1t into clean cold water and
rou, up again In Q cloth. Do not sprinkle
water over It. az that would make 10
look rough and blotchy when ironeds
When finished fold the waist neatly WITH
mn crea sing and nut 1T out TO mir.