Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-05-30
Tvs cotton time once again!

Cottons In ladies' frocks, chill
dren's clothes, utility uniforms,
ruffles and Stacks, yes, and in
curtains all around the house.
Cotton is our most durable tex.
tile fibre, and will take il" both
in long service and i'm harsh laun-
dering treatments. But this sea-
son every article made of cotton
material requires extra, under.
standing care SO that it may last
as long as possible.
Every home-maker has her own
special favorite washing methods,
by hand, or by machine She has
certain laundry aids, too, that she
has come to prefer for this or
that textile. But regardless Of
any particular technique or wash
ing agents, the last step is: shall
| starch this or not?"
Starching, or stiffening a tex
tile or garment, not only inn
proves the appearance or general
finish, but makes the surface shed
dust and dirt more effectively.
In addition, starched garments
30 not cling 20 the body and
thereby help keep the wearer cool
The starch fills up the pores Of
The textile as II were, and thus
makes the goods less impervious
by making II less porous Starch
lends a temporary glaze 70 what
8 a mesh-like or perforated ma
serial; this is particularly true IN
the case of marquisette dotted
swiss, organdy pique, etc With.
-eHt starch, they would hang soft
and limp. while with starchng
they have body" and both drape
and wear more pleasingly.
Credit for the invention Of
using vegetable starch as tex
tile stiffening agent has long
been given 10 Beau Brummell, the
noted dandy Of the English Res
toration period. Then men wore
neck ruffles and wisps Of en-
broidered lawn s. at their cuffs.
Brummen decided these charm
ing cambria accessories OF dress
would-look smarter (and at the
same time stay clean longer if
they were treated with starching.
His elegant crisp neckwear was
instantly copied by both royalty
ard other men Of fashion
OFTEN tins simple. final laun-
dering step is left out, or done
carelcssly or badly by house
wives. II may seem too much
trouble or timc-taking but the
slight additional effort more than
paws IN the preservation Of the
fabric itself, and in the added
charm and crisp fresh look starch
brings 10 cotton clothing and
other cotton dress accessories.
There are various makes Of
laundry starch, and in each case
the manufacturer specific direc-
tons for his product should be
followed explicitly. II is as dis
astrous 10 follow haphazard
methods Of making starch as II
Is 20 follow gucss-work methods
~ making cake.
Again. some persons Ike a
certain piece OF clothing 70 be
staff. while others prefer II 20 be
less stiff or crisp. as for instance
some women enjoy wearing "A
stfny starched apron, others
like a moderately starched house
dress. and go ON. Bat regardless
Of these variations in taste, We
can set down some general rules
J as follows.
Basic starch is prepared by
using one-half cup Of starch
granules or fourteen starch cubes
10 a proportion Of one-half cup
of cold water and two and one
half quarts Of boiling water. In
large saucepan blend starch and
cold water to a smooth paste
with wooden spoon. Add boiling
water gradually while stirring
constantly.
Cook over low heat, stirring
continuously until the mixture Is