HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

ARTIFICIAL SILK. HOW TO WASH. Artificial silk is now so largely used that its treatment is of interest to many women. To prepare the washing water, add sufficient dissolved soap to a basin of warm water to form a good lather. Wash the garment by kneading and squeezing it gently in the soapy water, first on the right and then on the wrong side. Any particularly soiled parts should be rubbed gently, and a little hard soap used if the soil cannot be removed. It is important to avoid wringing the material through any machine with hard rollers, and sharp or broken buttons and press studs should be removed before washing, as they ara very liable to cut and damage the fibres. When all soil has been removed, rinse in warm water, roll in a towel, and hang to dry. As knitted garments are liable to stretch, it is a good plan, after having removed the bulk of the moisture by rolling tightly between towels, to place them flat on a table in a draughty position. When almost dry, press with a warm iron. The appearance of knitted fabrics is improved if ironed on the wrong side, but shirtings and other fabrics with a smooth surface should be ironed on the wrong side first, and finished on the right. Georgette and fancy crepe 3 require ironing on the wrong side only. Unlike woollen fabrics, the strength of which is not altered by wetting, knitted artificial silk fabrics or garments should not be stretched whilst drying.

After ironing the garment, place flat on the table or board and fold pleats in position, pinning them at the h£m. When each set of pleats has been adjusted correctly, press gently on the rio;ht side, using a warm iron only. If the material has a matt or dull finish, place a piece of muslin between the iron and fabric to prevent it becoming shiny. When laundering artificial silk, it is important to remember that the use of a hot iron causes glazing and brittlejiess. To judge the heat of the iron, place it on a piece of paper for twenty seconds; if it scorches, the iron is too hot.