Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-10


~ in lukewarm water and neutral
soap solution, and the fabric should be
squeezed rather than rubbed. Colored
clothes should net be soaked for any
length of time, nor boiled or exposed in
too high a temperature when washing,
rinsing, starching or ironing. If the
color is very delicate, very cool water
should be used, and soap bark, bran or
cooked starch water used sdd instead $ta aa OF
ment well, dry in the shade and iron
on the wrong side.
Starch for washing delicate fabrics
and colorS may be made from laundry
starch, grated potatoes or rice -four.
The water in which rice has been boiled
may be saved and used for this pur-
pose. The mixture after cooking should
be as thick as cream and should be
diluted one to four times, according to
the dirt in the clothing. Rinse II c
more dilute solution, which should be
blued for white clothes.
Often it is desirable to use ingredients
other than starch to produce special
finishes on certain fabrics. A solution
CT borax water, about one teaspoonful
of borax to one quart of water, may be
used for stiffening very thin fabrics,
such as laces, voiles, organdies and dim
tiles. 1t gives body and crlSpneSS SINH
lar to the original dressing. A very
dilute solution of gelatin, gum arabic
or glue is excellent to use as dressing
for silk and for some of the finer cotton
materials, such as organizes, voiles and
bati5tes. These ingredients are trans
parent, which makes them especially
good to use for finishing colored fabrics.
If'tne gum arabic is in powdered form,
enc or two teaspoonfuls should be al
lowed to stand in quart of warm
water until dissolved Then this solu-
ton should be strained for use.
Keep Linens White.
Linens need an occasional airing in
the sun to keep them white. When
net in use, keep them in blue protec-
tors. Glazed chintz, tarletan, or
Chinese linen make good protectors be-
cause they do not allow dust to pene-
trate. Tablecloths, napkins and linen
towels should not always be folded the
same way after ironing, as that will
cause them to wear along the creases.
Tablecloths are inclined to tear at the
corners because of the pulling required
to get them into shape again after
being laundered. A small piece of linen
sewed at the edge CT the cloth at each
corner will strengthen them con-
siderably.
Embroidered linens should be care
fully laundered. Use a white curd soap,
making a good lather with hot, but
not boiling, water. Dip the embroidery
into this and press between the hands
as You do when washing woolens. Do
not rub. Every trace of soap should
be rinSed out before drying Fold in
clean, dry towel and press out as
much moisture as possible Afterward
pin the embroidery right side up over
a piece of clean white plotting paper
on board or table, stretching it as
tight as possible. 1t will dry crisp and
even and will need no ironing. To
clan f1imsy old lace which cannot be
trusted to the laundry shake little
powdered magnesia into it and roll up.
Shake out well in a few days.
Baby Clothes.
The laundering problem is closely al
lied to the clothes problem with infants.
The garments require frequent and
careful washing If they are to be kept
sweet and clean. The work is reduced
If the garments are soaped with
mild white soap, then soaked in luke
warm water for an hour or two be-
fore washing. Do not use I've or any
strong alkalies when washing infants
clothing. See that the water is not
hot, as stains may be set. Tepid water
and soap loosen the dirt and less rub
bling will be required. Boiling in soap
sudS usually takes out any remaining
stains and kills any bacterial deposit
which may be present. Finally, two
thorough rinSingS in clean water and
drying outdoors in the sun, il possible
will do much to keep the garments
clean. The clothing should not be
b'ued. Colored cotton fabrics for in
fants should be washed in warm water
and white soap sudS, but never boiled.
hnfn
ment Is a little different from other
colored cottons, as they are likely to
become more soiled.
Wooden garments, stockings, vests
and jackets should be washed with cas-
tile or other pure soap sudS in tepid
water with a little borax or ammonia
to soften it. Rinse them in water of
the same temperature and squeeze out
the water without wringing them
WColens should be dried where there
Is neither an extreme of heat or cold
II they are to be kept white and soft.
Baby shirts, sweaters and stockings
keep their shape we'll if they are dried
on a little wooden form. This prevents
shrinking and stretching. and keeps the
garment in its original shape.
Blankets and Curtains.
Washing blankets is a task that is
sIllCo W q WulOy Ody III
mer. If the right methods are used,
it is not difficult work if done either
by hand or with washing machine,
and there need be no fear that blankets
will shrink or lose their soft fluffiness.
The first step is to put soap, which
should be mild and in the form of
flakes or jelly, into the tub or washer
and dissolve it with hot water, then
add cold water until the lukewarm
stage is reached. Whip the lukewarm
solution into strong suds, irnmerse the
blankets, one or two at time, and
start the washer or squeeze the suds
through by hand.
Never rub blankets or wiring them
either with the hands or wringer.
1t is best to squeeze out the Suds. If
the blankets are very much Soiled, they
l,n inn u