Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-13
SCIENCE AND !
!!HEtLANDM.
~
SHOWS "uoEsso'ls6s FABRICS
ARE eADLY>WoRN IN BEING
lAUNDEREo.
Letting Wash Hang Too Long on Line
Also Oeteriorates Garmenta

Science has invaded the laundry.
After solving the puzzliug problems OF
many calories OF proteid and csrbo-
hydrate We should get when We buy
IL cents worth OF fish. the microscope
and the test tube have determined
how often a stiff collar should stand
starchins before it cracks at the
edges.
The recent Investigations into the
fine points of washing and the mys-
FERROUS reasons for the rapid deteri-
GRAFTON of some kinds OF wash goods
were made by the MELON Institute
OF Industrial Research, which is con-
nected with the University of Pitts
burgh.
Few people have any clear idea of
how long shirt OF collar or
tablecloth ought to wear. and how
often II ought to stand being launder,
ed. With garments used for personal
wear il is q little more difficult TO
make comparisons. because some peo'
pie give their clothes harder usage
than others. but napkin or a table
cloth gets about the same amount Of
wear in any household
The investigators took the expert
ence Of certain large hotel as typ
zeal. They estimate that the nap
kins and tablecloths in this hotel
have been Numbered 22s times in the
two years since they were first pur-
chased, and they are still in perfectly
good condition for further use.
The investigators find that there
are three essential factors in the long
life of any piece of wash goods. II
must be OF good quality TO begin
with, 1t must be properly treated, and
it must be properly washed. The fac
tor Of quality has to be seen to when
the purchase 10 made. The matter of
proper treatment is deserving Of more
attention than it usually gets.
1t is fact not generally realized
in the average household that the life
of any article or garment which is
washed regularly depends not only
on the number Of times ii goes to the
laundry but also on how badly soiled
it is. II clothes and linen are badly
spotted and stained they do not last
as long, because they must be washed
longer and more vigorously.
That exposure TO the air in drying
tends to weaken cloths and farbrics
was shown by series of tests which
indicate that clothes should not be left
On the line any longer than is abso-
lutely necessary. This is especially
the case in cities and suburbs where
there 10 considerable smoke in the
air.
The substances contained in smoke
are known TO have an injurious ef-
feet on fabrics. This explains why
curtains usually begin to wear out on
the line marked by the open sash OF
the window. Managers OF large hotels
have long realized this fact, and they
have their curtains washed before
they actually begin to look soiled. in
order to remove the substances depos.
tied by the smoky air.
1t Is said that il this practice were
generally followed in private house
holds the life of the average curtais
would be considerably heightened.
That the washing Of fabrics too fire..
Quently may not be q wise practice
was shown by another series of tests.
which Indicate that every washing, no
matter how careful and Gentle, weak
ems cloth somewhat
Elaborate Investigations were also
made into the various washing ma
terials. 1t was found that cOmbina
ton of soap and washing soda is the
best for use in laundry work. THIS
combination weakens the cloth less
than either soap ana water or soda
and water used alone.
The investigators also concluded
that one of the most important parts
Of the washing process is what they
call "seleetiye treatment" This
means that each garment should be
given just the individual treatment 1t
requires, according to the delicacy OF
the fabric and the degree to which 1t
Is soiled, whether 1t is washed In the
power laundry or In the tub At home.