Evening star., 1928-04-15
NTHERE one maid is kept this is often

WHERE one maid is kept this is often
the method adopted, the maid be-
| ing willing to do the necessary ironing
If she does not have to wash or iron fiat
| pieces. In figuring expenses with such
an arrangement it may not be neces-
| Sary to count the maids time at all.
| Theoretically of course. 1t should be in
| cluded, but in case the maid would work
| for no less without doing the ironing,
then nothing is gained by having 1t done
outside.
| In case the laundry work is done at
/ home by means of up-to-date electrical
! equipment. nothing usually need be set
| down to floor space, since most houses
are made with adequate laundry space.
Still, in case you have to have an extern
| sion made for the laundry equipment,
then this should be taken into conSid-
Grafton Otherwise the items 70 be con-
sidered are the various soaps and wash
ing reagents-poSSible cost of water and
of fuel for heating water. plus the cost
| OF electric current and gas II a gas
mangle Is used. This may be done by
reading your meter before and after the
laundry process. providing, Of course,
| the current or gas is not being used at
the same time for any other purpose
In figuring the cost of electric equip
ment you should take into considera-
| ton the initial cost and the probable
/ lifetime OF the various machines. Also
cost Of repairs or requirements, which
usually do not amount 10 much If the
| machines are properly used. Even old
| equipment usually has some "trade-in
| value. and this should be deducted from
| the initial cost Then, to be perfectly
busineSs-like. you should consider the
interest on the money expended for
your equipment. Possible cash value of
your time IN running the washing equip
ment may have TO be considered also
II you haven't a natural taste for fig
uTes this may sound like a great nui-
Sance. but with the help of husband or
big brother, who perhaps has taste for
figures, 1t Is no more than an evenings
diversion. And after you have figured
1t all out you really can know what you
are talking about when you compare
costs OF various sorts OF laundry work
A SIDE from the purely financial con-
sideration, the question of conven-
ience or personal preference may enter
into the matter. II you are very old
fashioned and like to feel that all your
laundry work is done by hand. and If
you really enjoy the presence in your
house Of the "waSh-lady," then l sup
| pose that should be considered. One
woman with small children has laun-
dress OF splendid sort with whom she
| Is willing 10 trust her children when
she Is away from home So wash day"
| Is also her own day of. In figuring the
cost Of her laundry work she must also
| consider the expense TO which she would
| otherwise be put 10 employ a mothers
| helper while she is away from home.
/ And ] know another woman who insists
| that the smell Of the hot soapstids In
| the house on wash day makes her feel
| really i'll.
And there are other women who
| have such an aversion TO counting
clothes and checking up on the clean
| things when they are returned that
| they always put up an argument against
| having the laundry work done away
| from home
| In families where there are children
there is sometimes prejudice against
having clothes go outside for washing
oil account Of the danger OF con-
| tagion. However, / think experts agree
| that the laundry processes that prevail
In most modern laundries act as perfect
| sterilization Of clothes. In every COM
muniiy. / think, 1t is possible to find
i laundry establishments where thor
oughly sanitary methods are followed
II is always worth while 10 soap the
| clothes whether they are washed in a
machine or by hand Badly spoiled
| parts should be rubbed with soap That
| handkerchiefs should be soaked In cold
water 70 which little salt has been
| added
Water used for washing linens and
wooiens should not be excessively hot.
| Soap powder or chips should always