Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-20

II peG InlsT.s towels, table linens and
other white articles are wrung through
cold or lukewarm water before soaping
then, or puttine them in suds. the dirt
can be removed more easily, and after
being boiled and rinSed the clothes will
be perfectly clear and white. Another
good method for whitening clothes Is
as follows: Dissolve one-fourth cupful
Of borax in one cupful of boiling water
and add to one gallon of cold water.
Soak discolored or yellowed clothes in
this solution from one to three hours,
then take them out of the borax solu-
ton and, without much wringing, spread
them out in the sun to dry. Wet occa-
Sionally with the borax water If neces-
Sary.
rulers earth is valuable aid in
cleaning and Is sometimes used partly
in place Of soap when articles to be
washed are in a very greasy condition
and the use of q strong soap Is not SUI
flcient and when the use Of strong
allkaN is not advisable. Soap bark also
is q good soap substitute. It comes in
the form of chips, powder or long, fiat
pieces When extracted with hot water,
solution containing lather-forming
material Is obtained 1t Is mild in ac-
ton and suitable for cleaning delicate
fabrics.
CoIored COttons and Silks.
Colored cottons should be washed in
lukewarm water and mild soap solution,
and the material should be squeezed
rather than rubbed. If the color seems
to be very delicate. very cool water
cooked starch water instead OF soap.
For dark colors it is well to tint the
starch, using tea for blacks. browns and
green's, and bluing for blues Co!oreo
clothes should be dried in the shade
and ironed on the wrong side. To take
all Of the color out Of faded cotton
garment, boil 1t in cream of tartar
water and it will become white.
A solution of borax water. about one
teaSpoonful of borax to one quart OF
water, may be used for stiffening very
thin fabrics, such as laces, voiles, or
CANDIES and dimities. 1t gives body and
criSpness similar to the original dress
ing. A very dilute solution Of gelatin
or glue Is excellent as a dressing Tor
silks and for some of the finer cotton
materials. These substances are trans
parent, which makes them especially
desirable for finishing colored fabrics.
Diluted glue water may be used Tor
dark-colored material.
Gum arabic is Of special value In re-
dressing silks. If in powdered form,
one or two teaspoonfuls Of gum arabic
should be allowed to stand in quart
of warm water until dissolved, and then
this solution should be strained for use
II the gum Is in lump form, boiling
water should be used and the mixture
kept hot until the gum dissolves. A
double boiler may used for this pur-
pose A quarter Of cupful OF this
solution to a quart OF water gives an
average stiffness.
Careful Pressing.
When buying an electric iron choose
one made by a recognized electrical
supply company. This iron SHOULD pe
guaranteed for a year The voltage OF
an electric iron is marked on the back
of 1t and is, in most cases. ITO. An iron
must be chosen that corresponds In
voltage with the home current. because
II more current is forced through than
the wires are able to carry 1t Will be
burned out. The electric wires that
lead from the iron should be watched.
II any break appears In the covering,
it can easily be mended with adhesive
tape while the current Is on. These
breaks should not remain uncared Tor,
because of the danger OF shock ana nre.
For padding the ironing board, dou-
ble-faced cotton flannel used for silence
cloths on dining tables or an old blan-
ket is good. Enough thickness Of such
material should be used to give the sur
Old sheets may be used for the cover,
but new unbleached sheeting is better
~ad not expensive, as the width OF the
sheeting will make the length Of the
cover. The cover may be hemmed ana
four pieces of tape firmly sewed to each
side, so that it can be easily put On and
taken of. A sheet of asbestos placed
under the iron rest will protect the
cover. On the back of the ironing board
tack q pocket made of heavy denim.
In this keep pressing CLOTH iron holder
or anything used on ironing day. Whlsk
broomS make good SprinklerS, the round
ones being somewhat more suitable Tor
this work than the fiat kind. With this
you can sprinkle more evenly.
Sinens and silks, they should be ironed
through a piece of thin cotton material
wrunR ont Of clear water, or part OF
the garment should be sponged with
even strokes and then ironed dry. Heavy
or colored goods should be Sponged ana
ironed on the wrong side. Sponging
with thin starch or gum arabic Will
make some fabrics seem like new. Sue
cess lies in having the garment evenly
dampened so that no water rings are
formed or uneven stiffness produced.
Silks should first be rolled, then IRON
ed while still damp, usually on the
wrong side, unless protected by thin
cotton material as suggested above.
Parts that dry out should always be
ironed through dampened cloth, as
sprinkling Is likely to spot silks. A
crisp or papery.
All sinks scorch easily, and white silk
becomes yellow when pressed with a
very hot iron. Use warm iron, pro-
tecting the fabric with cheesecloth.
Iron white silk on the wrong side. 1t
should be evenly damp but not wet.
If too wet and ironed with hot iron
1t Is liable to be stir, and If half wet
and half dry 1t will be spotted. When
or four tablespoonful of vinegar in the
rinse water. This will help retain the
shiny, bright look Of new material that
one admires so much in rayons.
After washing dresses, slip them on
clothes hangers to dry, then they will
not get pulled out Of shape on the line
and are much easier to iron. Put a
to keep it from blowing OF the line.
After pressing and folding mems trous-
ers. clasp clothespin on each side at
the top, then catch the hens together
at the bottom. This will keep the
creases In, and the trousers will hold
their shape well.
Handling the Curtains.
Handle curtains carefully when wash
ing, squeezing and working them rather
than rubbing. Cream, ecru and brown
curtains may be retinted. Add strong
solution Of tea Or coffee or a combina-
ton Of the two slowly to the hot water
until the desired tint is produced when
tested on piece of muslin. Brown
cotton dyes can be used In very weak
solutions and should first be tested on
a sample to get the right shade. Re-
move the curtain as soon as the desired
shada IL nhfa ined Stiffen curtains