The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-12-23
Dry Cleaning
at Home

In every home there are many dam
- articles that cannot be washed in
water. Unless the housewife is well
supplied with pin-money she cannot
send these articles to q dry cleaner.
Dry cleaning can be done at home a.
we'll as other laundry work when you
know how. Dry cleaning is not dry
cleaning at all, although it is not a.
some people suppose simply dipping
in gasoline. Washing in gasoline is
like washing in water to which no
soap is added.
To dry clean buy a reliable dry
cleaner at the drug store and use 1t In
the gasoline like soap. Place the
amount Of gasoline in a tub with az
much dry cleaner as directed. The
most delicate fabrics that would be
ruined if washed with soap and water
can be beautifully cleaned without
danger of having color changed, finish
injured or harmed by shrinking. The
only real harm done in dry cleaning
is too vigorous rubbing. If the article
is old or very delicate or frail i'm
merse in the gasoline and cleaner and
let soak for some time, then press
gently with the hands and the dirt
will be quickly removed. Rinse in
clean gasoline. This part of the work
must be done thoroughly if you are
successful. Hang in open air to dry
but never in the sunshine.
If clothes are carefully hung, skirts
and wastes put on hangers and care
fully stretched there need be no press
ing after dry cleaning. This is one of
the conveniences of dry cleaning, no
pressing unless heavy cloth belts or
hens. Another thing, no tipping be-
fore washing, as the dry cleaner will
not injure any trimming. even bits of
chiffon or lace.
Often a garment is soiled in only a
few spots and these can be removed
with the cleaner without leaving a
ring by brushing around the spot and
gradually toward the center. Placing
a blotter beneath the spot will avoid
leaving a ring. Use a white blotter
on delicate fabrics.
Lace curtains can have their lives
prolonged by washing in dry cleaner
as they require no ironing or stretch
ing Wooden clothes and furs cal be
safely put away after dry cleaning
without fear of moths.
Sometimes stains remain after dry
cleaning. These are some substances
not soluble in gasoline and can usual
ly be removed with a cloth rung out
of warm water and a little white soap
Warm gasoline is more effective
than cold. To warm gasoline place
the gasoline vessel in another contain
ing hot water. Always remember that
the vapor from gasoline is very in
f1ammable and that it can never be
used in a room with a fire or a light
Always work with gasoline in open all
If at all possible as ~ remove dan
ger and the fumes are not so often
sive. When cleaning mems clothes
search for matches before beginning
When dry cleaning a number Of ar
ticles the lightest colored and those
least soiled should be cleaned first. In
this manner the same solution will
wash the entire lot. After cleaning
let the gasoline settle and then pour
into another vessel that will exclude
air so it cannot evaporate. Be care
full that no dregs are poured in and
the mixture will be perfectly clean
and can be used again and again. In
this way many dollars worth of dry
cleaning can be done at home for 9
trife. One can afford to wear dainty
garments that would not be possible
If they had to be sent to a profession
al dry cleaner.