ART OF WASHING LACE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 14

ART OF WASHING LACE

Nothing■■spoils'; the- appearance of a dainty .frock ■'lnpre.than soiled or discoloured lace, says an.exchaiigu. It is for this, reason, very, important' .to-.see that the lace'is kept 'absolutely spotless, tteul lace,should .be: washed in a large 'buttle which lias a stopper.-'This 'method prevents it from:being subjected lo overmuch handling, and obviates the likelihood of tearing. . 'Dissolved; soap, which is nmdo by dissolving "a quarter pound of pale yellow soap in a pint.of. boiling water, must bo used. Gum water is prepared in the ■ following 'manner: Place two ounces of white gmn arabic in a saucepan with half a pintiof :liot::water.;. Stir until dissolved, and strain the water through coarse/muslin into a" bottle..The advantage; of using gum water is that it gives a slight firmness to the lace' without making it too stiff: „; ■;• r '"' ■■ ■ ■■ ■• ' ;. Fill the bottle- three-parts full of warn) ■water and add a little' of the dissolved soap. . When a free lather is formed, put in the lace arid place .the stopper in the bottle. .;Sbake , vigorously, until the . lace is nearly clean. • The dirty water should then tie poured;out' of the bottle and the operation.Repeated. '' When clean, the lace should be -rinsed -in a:pint:of cold water to which a .dessertspoonful of gum water has been! added, ,'

If the lace isiiiade of silk a few drops of methylated spirit should be added to the gum water-to-give the lace a shiny appearance. The • final operations must be: performed r with -great care. Dry the lace by, squeezing■ it in a clean dry towel. Pin -it out 1 on,.an. ironing blanket, and when'the lace is'nearly dry remove the pins, and .press 4t gently-with a warm iron.

■Machine-made lace must be washed in a different,,manner. Warm soapy- water should be-rinsed .iir.n pint;of cold water

being • pressed-•• and rolled- between the hands. 1. :'..'Xt should ,n'ext;be;rinsed,, and, i£ it is required ; a pure : wliite, it must be placed; into, palei-blue, : water. A little starch should be employed for the stiffening:l The'prdeess'is.eo'mple'ted'by rolling •the lace in a"dry;cloth and ironing, it.im-mediately-afterwards."'• '■ ' ■ ' •'-."

These garments must be'washed by sousing them up and down, without rubbing, in. a, lukewarm" lather of mild soap and water,'and .be rinsed in two lukewarm waters; so -'that all ;traces of soap are removed.' They'must not be wrung or mangled, but Jsqueezed between the hands and then rolled ,in a tliick cloth for about a minute.' This-'will, absorb most of the water, and'they;then can be pulled into shape and dried: in a " warm' room, away from the fire.' Their appearance will be improved if ;they are ironed, under a thin cloth^'with -a..'cool iron.' .