LACE AND MUSLIN CURTAINS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6810, 14 January 1929, Page 11

LACE AND MUSLIN CURTAINS

HOW TO WASH THEM. Lace and muslin curtains should be given a good shaking in order to free them of loose dirt and smuts. After shaking them well put them into a bath of cold water and squeeze and knead them. Change the water when it becomes dirty. Repeat this method until the water is fairly clear. White or cream curtains should be left in soak overnight. Coloured curtains should not be put to soak, but the dirt should be squeezed out-as described above. Wash the curthins in a -warm, soapy lather, and again squeeze and knead them well with the hands. When clean rinse well. The last rinsing water should be cold, and, if white curtains are being washed, add a dash of blue to it. After rinsing put the curtains through the wringer, dip them in thin hot water starch, and hang them up to dry, gently pulling them into shape. Iron them with a hot iron, on the wrong side, when nearly dry. Coloured curtains can be washed in the same way, except that vinegar should be added to the last rinsing water, and the curtains allowed to soak in it for a few minutes. They should be ironed on both sides when nearly dry. After washing, rinsing and starching lace curtains, lay them fiat on the ironing sheet; stretch thean out evenly, and pin the points out neatly. Then iron over a thick blanket. This method will prevent uneven hang- \ ing. Madras curtains are best not starched, but ironed while damp till dry. A tablespoonful of methylated spirits added to the last rinsing water gives them the necessary stiffness and keeps them clean longer.