New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-07
by L. Ray BaIderston, Author OF Laun'
dry Manual.

by L. Ray BaIderston, Author OF Laun'
dry Manual.
Even If we should have all OF the me-
chanical labor saving devices In the iauh-
dry in an effort to eliminate drudger!' II
will count little II the laundress Is ho'
familiar with the necessary laundry alds-
water, soaps, blues, starches.
Ways of Adapting Water
v-o+er is the main cleaning agent. IL
isoftens and dssolves stains. loosens ana
carries away dirt, and by the aid OF soap
sterilizes the clothes, and when IT Is con-
verted into steam il helps to whiten then''
Tho hest water for laundry purposes Is
soft, clear and colorless and free from any
odor Soft water is necessary as IL con-
tains none of the mineral matter that
binders the soapy lather 10 form, which III
itself is the vehicle of cleansing. If laun-
dress only has hard water to use she may
find II possible to soften IT by filling the
tubs and allowing the water to stand over
night. for aerating softens certain types oi
water.
Water that is slightly hard may also be
softened nv boiling. but water that is per
soda borax or ammonia. Soap IN large
enough quantities will also soften water
but II is far more expensive than any one
of the three previously mentioned po' ~
is the safest agent, because it has literally
no action on any type of fabric Ammonia
is especially useful in the washing OF "hl'e
clothes and woollens. Soda should never
he used for woollens or silks or Tor coIofs'
hnH q
If scraps of soap which appear 10 De use
less are saved, a Jelly can be mace oS
heating them in water. This soap soIulioil
is a great help in softening the water anu
in abolishing the eXtravagant ana harinlul
nee NJ soda. Soda is cheaper than soap
only when used so that the quantity Is not
in excess of that required for sottenihg the
water.
The water should be clear and colorless'
because the tint of the finished clothes Is
influenced by the color of the water 9oHle
waters contain sufficient iron to nave
yellow cast which in turn, Will gIVs
yellow tint to the clothes, as If dyed men
water of this kind has been used thfoIsH
+he ignorance Of the laundress this iron uh'
can only be overcome by rinsing the clo'hes
in perfectly clear water, TO whlcn yer!
small ouantity Of hydrochloric or murlauc
acid has been added (Use about one
tablespoonful to one pail of water) rms
acid wash will dissolve the iron. after Whlcn
the clothes should be very thoroughly rlhseu
IN clear water. Mirey, muddy water may
no cleaned by the use of alum, II the water
will not become clear by filtering It, wafer
which has a foul odor is not suitaDle
water for washing clothes, as II usually
signifies the presence Of decomposed anil
NAL or vegetable matter.
Given a good quality Of water one must
be sure to have a sufficient amount OF IL
TO float the clothes during all the processes
and also to give them thorough rinsing'
Too often clothes are Of bad color, grlmy
and gray. because the rinsing was careless
lv omitted and not considered necessary
Soap Free from Adulterants.
Given good water, good soap is as es-
sential. What is "a good soap? One that
is free from surplus alkah (potash or
soda) one that is free from resin and one
that is free from any color which could
in any way hide impurities in the soap.
Excess alkali can be easily detected by the
shrivelled, drawn, dried feeling OF the
hands after its use. Resin can be detected
by the odor. by the sickness Of soap
containing ii and by a gummy, sticky scum
decidedly resinous in character, forming on
the water line Of the clothes boiler. II Is