ADVICE ABOUT BLANKETS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 15

ADVICE ABOUT BLANKETS

BUYING AND LAUNDERING

It is at this time of the year that most housewives, eager to take advantage of the cut prices offering in the "white sales," set about adding to their stock of blankets in readiness for the cold weather, months ahead, states the "Melbourne Age." But it is not always a wise policy to be too intent on securing a bargain when blankets must be bought; if they are to be expected to give good service for leveral years many more points than the proportionate cuts shown on. the price ticket must be carefully considered.

First, of all there is the matter of weight to be taken into account. How often do you hear a particular brand or quality of blanket praised because it is "such a good, heavy one"? But that is all wrong. Because a blanket is heavy does not mean it is good quality —often quite the reverse. Probably it will mean that cotton has been allied with wool in the manufacture of the blanket to give it extra—and utterly useless —weight, For it is the blankets of moderate density that are the warmest and most satisfactory from the health point of view; though it seems a curious anomaly, they are far cosier than blankets which are very closely woven and dense. And too much weight causes sleeplessness, So the first rule on blanket buying is to steer clear of heavy cloths. The second is to stick to wool. Wool and cotton mixtures seem cheaper on the face of it, but they are often a false economy, for they have not the same warmth—and therefore more pairs will be needed—and they do not give the same service.

A TEST OF QUALITY.

The border offers an excellent rneani of testing the quality of a blanket. Gay coloured borders are often taken to register quality, but that is another fallacy. They do not. The test is the evenness of the stitching and the smoothness and firmness of the hems. Always examine the borders closely, especially the corners and the extreme edges. If the stitching is even and the corners ne.at and strong, youjan almost certainly count on the blankets* being good buying. Another point to beware of is extreme flufflness. Those very fluffy blankets often to be seen at surprisingly kw prices are best left alone. For they are artificially raised in the mills to give them this attractive appearance, to the unsuspecting. Actually, the.fluffiness is an indication of a coarse ground. Then too,'see that the blankets aie free from black-or semi-black-harrs before you buy them. And avoid very coarse, irregular, weaves. In districts badly infested with flies it is often necessary to wash the new blankets before putting them on the beds. For some reason-probably the trace of gfeasiness remaining in tne new wool-blowflies will attack brand new blankets, though they will not touch them once they have been washed The best way to wash these new blankets is to soak them first of all in cold salted water. A good soaking in this way is a cure for greasiness. Afterwards the blanket should be grvenu a proper washing, in tepid water this time. Make a lather of good mild soap, shredding it and melting with hot water to which a little ammonia has been added. Add some borax tp tVe washing waters; this is an excellent cleansing agent, and will help to keep the blankets a good colour. Rinse thoroughly-thisis most important, for the wool will cling tenaciously to the soap, and it if it is left in the blankets will become stiff and hard, and an ugly soiled yellow. After the final rising, wring out as well as possible, fold the blanket in half, and peg the two edges about four .inches over a taut clothes line tp ensure its'drying in shape, it should be;hung where it will catch a breeze if possible and should be shaken land turned from time to time while it is,drying, Afterwards' it can be beaten with a clean carpet beater to bring up the soft, fluffy pile again,'

The wives of ,the clergy and other ladies who are attending, the. Synod ol the : Anglican Church .of,. Wellington diocese presented Mrs, Sprott with a bouquet as a mark of their appreciation of her hospitality and; kindness. The presentation was made by. Mrs. ;Hanspll, wife of Archdeacon Hansell. Mrs. Sprott suitably replied.;