LACE WASHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

LACE WASHING.

Nowadays many people are doing their washing at home who in pre-war time consigned it to the laundry; but even those who still send out most of their washable belongings should themselves, if they wish to make it last, always wash any crochet or lace th«y may possess. Such work is delicate and easily spoiled, and, representing so much labour, is worth preserving even at the cost of some little trouble. The process is quite simple tnd only requires a little care.

Pure soap should be shredded and boiled in water until it jellies. Put some of the jelly in warm water and make a lather. First soak the articles in cold water, adding, if the water is hard, a teaspoonful of borax, as also in the warm water. In washing lace immerse it in the warm lather and knead gently, then squeeze out, but do not wring, as this breaks the dclicato threads of lace; rinse in warm water to which borax has been added. When ironing, seo that every point is well pulled out, so that the lace, which must be ironed on the wrong side, need only be pressed with a warm iron. Crochet work may be placed in a jar with enough cold water to cover it; stir ii; a spoonful of scrap jelly, stand in a large saucepan three-quarters full of water, cover the jar and saucepan, and boil for three hours, then carefully squeeze the crochet and rinse it several times in warm water. The last time but one the water should be ' slightly blued, and the last water should be boiling. When almost dry, pull the crochet lace carefully and gently into shape, opening every picot loop with a knitting needle. If th'ere is a raised design such as you have in Irish crochet, this should all be lifted up and arranged. The ironing-table must be spread with several folds of blanket, and covered with a clean sheet. Place the crochet on the table face downward?, and iron on the wrong side only, with a warm iron.