Year: 1877

Some simple check uf striped silks Of


thin make can be W. he'd in a lather


made with hot water md curd soap, al.


lowed TO become nearly cold before il is


used Only the worst parts should be


rubbed the rest should. be pressed and
dabbed in the water in the same manner


as lace, then Tihsed in lukewarm water,
pinned out to dry and ironed with mus
lin or paper between the iron and the


silk. The most satisfactory method Of
/ cleaning brOcaded silks at home is TO use


stale bread-crumbs, or a mixture of
| bread-crumbs aud powdered blue; but it
/ Is far better 20 send these, as well as all
I rich makes Of silk, TO the professional
I cleaner. If made limp IN cleaning, n


sponge, dipped IN isinglass and water,


should be applied 10 the back Of the
material to stifien f.. Black silks can be
cleaned In a variety Of ways-by spong-
ing carefully with any kind OF spirits OF
wine, gin (unsweetened), or with cold
tea OF coffee (well strained), or with am
monia and water (either liquid or lump
ammonia may be used; If the latter, a
piece the size OF n walnut. dissolved in a
small basin OF hot water); also with
water Ia which ivy leaves lin the proper
tiOn OF a handful 10 a quart) have been


boiled; or with potato water, made by


grating twelve potatoes into quart of


water and allowing II 20 stand. If the
silk lie very dirty il should be scrubbed


with the potato water or with ox-gall
and water Black silk that has become
shiny can be renovated by being sponged


with either OF the following prepara-
tions; !. Tie one ounce of black tea in
a piece OF muslin and boil il with tea
spoonful Oi common gum fifteen min
uteE. 2. Boil two pairs of old black kid
gloves in two pints Of water until they
are nearly dissolved, then strain the
LIQUID. Black silk that has become
brown and very shabby may be boiled
in a decoction of n small quantity OF log
wood in water. In all cases the silk
must be irOned with paper or muslin
over it, 80 the iron must never come in
direct contact with the fabric; IL stiff
ness Is desired, damp it previously with
gum water, In which gin or brandy is
mixed. These recipes apply equally well
to black and cOlored ribbons. TaasoTe,
foulard, or any soft kind Of white or col
ored silk, may be washed with bran in
stead Of soap. A luke-warm lather OF
yellow soap, without soda or washing
powder, will also serve for washing tus-
sore, which must be Tinsed, shaken out
blia uuIR up W hAgg bhb "hAlD beAAA
damp must be rolled in a cloth and iToned
on the wrong side. 1t must on no &C.
count be sprinkled, as every spot shows.
White and colored pOcket-handkerchiefs
can be washed and ironed in the same way,
but when snuff has been used they must
be previously soaked for an hour in cool
lather, rinsed in cold water and ironed
with a cool iron. These bandkerchieb
are generally Of fast colors, but If there
is any doubt OF their standing the wash
ing a handful Of common salt should be
thrown into the soaking water. Scaris
and nsckties Of Grape or soft washing
silk should be washed quickly in lather
of white curd soap, previously prepared,
and allowed TO get cold. The moisture
must then be pressed out Of them as
much a. possible, aud they must be well
pinned out without rinsing or wTinging.
Grape must not be ironed. but silk is the
better for IL, provided the iron be cool
and paper laid between. For white silk
or Grape Of a bad color, add little blue
30 the water, and if stiffening is required,
A second weaker water, in which some
gum is mixed, must be used. 1t the
colors are delicate and likely to run they
must be dipped in salt and water before
washing. -