SILK STOCKINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 5

SILK STOCKINGS.

Milliom! of pain, of artificial silk stockings are being worn, and the number of those " spoilt in the wash" must be very high. To wash artificial silk, a vegetable substance, as though it were cashmere is to invito disaster. If the feet of the stockings are soiled beyond the ordinary—this generally happens when one has been wearing thin shoes in wet weather—place the feet, but no other part, in lukewarm water for 10 minntes. The soaking will free the leather dye or other discolouration. Squeeze very gently and swish about until you can see that the feet are practically clean. Then rinse in two lots of warm water. This preliminary treatment is essential. It prevents whatever has soiled the foot portion of the stockings from getting to the legs. Ail dirt, in a sense, is a dye. Now put the stockings in coTd water, and allow them to soak for 15 minutes. There should be in readiness a soapy lather, which must- also be quite cold before use. To that transfer the stockings after their cold-water soaking. Swiah them round and squeeze gently. The feet will require no rubbing. Five minutes in the lather should be succeeded by a rinsing in lukewarm water. That should remove all soap and soiled water, but it would be just as well to give a second rinsing. Follow this by a final rinse iit cold water. Gently squeeze out the surplus water, and then place the stockings between the folds of a dry towel and press with a flat hand. Take them out, lay them flat on the towel, and pat and pull them, gently and carefully, into shape. They are now ready for drying, but must not," of course, be "hung up. IJeep them flat, and either expose them to the airnot the sun—or lay them, between paper, on the coolest part of the range. When they are quite dry cover them with a piece of damped muslin, and press—do not move the iron up and down—with x. moderately hot iron.