Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-05
Timely Linen Hints.

It is not enough To own nice linen. one
must know how TO keep It nice. The best
methods of laundering should be studied,
and some of ones best pieces should not
be trusted to any one but a specialist
Better yet learn to do il Yourself This
refers chiefly to fine centerpeces, table
doilics and sheer bureau covers.
Storing Of linen is also important. If
possible have a. specially built place Tor
it. not the makeslift, crowded spots which
must do duty as linen chest IN most
houses
The old-time housekeeper had the idea
that nothing would do but drawers for
keeping the linen supply. Therefore OLD
chests. sideboards and box settees were
utilized. with no thought of their neon
vcnicncc and heaVineSs in using.
If available, cupboard should be used
in preference 10 any receptacle with
drawers TO pull out. If one is dust fear
| fuI. the door can be supplied with dust
strips to make il as straight as any
| drawer.
This cupboard should be filled With
! shelves from top 10 bottom, made OF or
binary deal Cedar is nice for them II
/ YOU can afford the cost. The shelves
should be at least eighteen inches apart;
! better yet have them Of varying spaces.
! a. sheets and tableclothS need wider dis
tances than smaller pieces. Eighteen
/ inches is also a good width for each shelf.
! The narrower spaces for small pieces
! that need sorting should be toward the
middle OF the cupboard in easy reach. the
| broader shelves at top and bottom. Inc
! top shelf is a good place TO store extra
! blankets when not put away for the sum
! mPr
As an extra prccaution against dust
| curtains of deep blue muslin can he cut
! lust the depth of each shelf. These may
| be tackled to tho bottom of the shelf
above. ard fastened with rings on tiny
screw hooks on the top of the shelf be
| low.
An extra piece Of blue muslin can be
kept in each shelf TO throw over the
linen. or dolics can be piled with pieces
| Of blue paper between each two. This
| nelns to prevent yclloWing.
| Have II special place for each Kind al
| linen. and sec that it is kept IN it It Is
| a convenience to label these shelves for
/ the assistance Of ma ids
Have each kind of linen similarly fold
| Cd and laid on the shelves IN the same
| way That is not merely IA JOY to the eI"
Of the artistic housewife, but prevents
| mixing and muSSing.
Redspread~. sheets and tahlec'oths. for
| instarce should he folded so that they
| are long rather than square Itiio"
cases are folded either once or twice
| lengthwise, then through the middle III
YOU have plenty Of room for packing. the
| fewer folds the better the cases look
| Napkins are folded to he square when
| ready for nse and towels are folded
| lcuythviSc then across the middle. Cen
| fcrpiccse are much better rolled than
| folded, and. if possible, haT" several rolls
| IN a shelf If your lneD cupboard for TINS
| rJrpoYc DoilieS arc not folded. aiId the
| better ones should be kent III sets III sinai
! low boxes marked plainly with the Kind
All the articles of one SORT should hc
| piled together. but unless It is necessary
| do not make tn" piles too high Insist
! nron the stacking being done evenly, OF
! tho piles may topple unexpectedly ana
! inc laundering go for nauSht.
/ For articles that are in constant US"
/ II will be found TO equaliZc wear if each
week the linen that has been washed Is
| 3,t at the bottom of the pile. This may
! take a little more time, but II pays
! Never put a piece OF linen that Is torn
! .nlo the wash without mendlng.
! II will save much confusion, II one
! AS beds Of different sizes, II all the bed
! linen for each SIZE is kept III its special
! place. Nothing Is 50 madden'ng AS to ne
| .ctdy To make up a bed and find you
| have ono single and one double *heet OF
| pillowcae. too big or too little Often, t"
| save trouble, a careless maid VIII use
| these homogeneous pieces. t" the disgust
| If ono who must sleep in the bed.
| Where. as some houske"epers prefer.
aach room has its special linen, its mark
| ing should be distinct. There can be a
| ross n one corner in the color of the
| room or the name OF the room can b"
written on the inside OF bottom hem.
| DO not forget bags of I'll" fragrant
| lavender to slip in among Your linen.
| Nothing has been found to improve on
| The delicate scent given 10y tins home
| IL herb beloved of grandnlothers.
| ELIZABETH LEE.