The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-10-06
TO WASH BLANKETS
WITHOUT SHRINKAGE
Use Luke-warm Water and Plenty
of 1t.

Blankets should be washed in luke
warm water, and plenty of it, then rinsed
in water of the same temperature. There
is a scientific reason for this. II you
should examine the fiber OF wool through
q miscrscope you would discover a Sc
ries Of tiny irregular sheaths with ser
rated edges all running in the same d.
rection. With heat these microscopic
sheaths expand and reach out over one
another, but with a sudden exposure
TO lower change Of temperature and
knotting and pulling on each other. pro-
ducing the rough effect known as full
ing"
Twisting. wringing. or rubbing flannel
too vigorously. also tends to entangle
these little scales. and gives to the ar.
ticle so maltreated an unpleasantly d.
on the fabric also thickens II, and should
be used therefore In the form of q So
luton. The kind of soap is also a mat
ter OF moment. For fiannels, always use
a write soap that does not contain
resin.
Select Sunshiny Day.
In washing blankets select a bright,
sunshiny day for the work. that the dry
ing may be done as quickly as possible
Shake the blankets thoroughly, then look
them over to see IL there are any par
tcularly soiled places. If so, outline
them with long stitches in thread of
different color, so you may give them
particular attention in the washing.
Put the blankets to soak for an hour
in a warm soap solution, allowing a ia
blespoonful OF borax to every gallon of
water. Cover so as to retain the same
temperature of water Meanwhile, pre-
pare a second tub of warm soapsuds al
lowing one-haf of a pound Of soap shaved
and boiled to four gallons of water
This is the allowance for each blanket.
Transfer the blanket from the first wa
ter to the clean suds, let il stand ten
minutes, then souse up and down, but do
not rub
1t is the soaking that brings out the
dirt. II any spot is particularly dirty
rub with brush. Put through a wringer
into tub Of clean water of the same
temperature, rinse thoroughly, squeezing
and pressing with the hands; then wiring
out. II possible two persons standing
opposite each other should pull the
blanket into shape, then it should be
hung straight on a perfectly clean line
where gentle breeze will assist in the
rapid drying. The drying, however
should be dore in the shade, not in the
bright sunshine.
Protect Edges.
If the blankets need reminding, attend
to it after the drying. Both white and
colored silk bindings may be purchased
by the piece and can be had to match
the stripes running across the tops of the
blankets.
And here is a suggestion for protecting
the edges of the blankets that come next
to the face. 1t is an English custom,
and when you have tried it you will
agree with me that it is a very excellent
one.
Cover both sides of the ends with strips
of soft white cheesecloth, sewing it on
by hand so that il can be readily re-
moved for washing. A blanket protected
in this way keeps clean longer and does
not become yellowed with perspiration I
or, what is just as bad, soiled with the
cold cream which Is such a necessary
aid to comfort during the months when
the winds blow cold.
A Little Hint.
Pour boiling water over lemons before !
using. This will double the amount of /
juice they will produce. The pulp of |
lemon is an excellent teeth cleaner. A |
bit Of lemon put into the copper with a |