THE LAUNDRY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 23

THE LAUNDRY

WASHING I AGE CURTAINS. To wash lace curtains is quite a science. They must first be well shaken of loose dust, then, if greatly soiled, soaked over night in a warm suds with two tablespoonfuls of ammonia to the tub. lo make the suds boil fine soap until dissolved and strain into the water. In the morning press the folded cm tains, two at a time, in a clean basket to remove the water, and drop them into a clean suds_ prepared like the first. Swash the curtains up and down, soaping the spots, if there are any, but never rubbing them, even by hand. The third is the clear rinsing water, the fourth is exceedingly thin starch water which has been blued or tinctured with coffee according to the whiteness or the ecru colour of tlie lace. If frames are used the lace is basted to the cloth upon them when they are stretched to dry. If not K they are to be pinned scallop by scallop to sheets laid upon the unoccupied floor of a dustless chamber. Should the curtains be very fine, it is a good plan to baste a piece of muslin a couple of inches wide about the edges before the curtains are washed. This keeps them straight. Should there be torn places, mend by starching over them a piece of lace. HOW TO WASH CHINA SILK. .

Silk should be washed as rapidly as possible. Examine the articles to be washed, and if there are any parts especially soiled clean with a little benzine applied rvith a flannel cloth. Then prepare a soapsuds of lukewarm water, and plunge the garments in it, sousing them up and down and rubbing them thoroughly in this sud. Rinse them into Avater still a little cooler, and then into a third Avater still a little cooler, and so on until the final rinsing water is perfectly cold. Do not blue them. Wring them out as dry a.s possible with a machine. Lay them in sheets and heavy cloths, and roll them as hard as you can in firm rolls. Put them away for an hour, and at the end of that time iron on the wrong side.

WASHING SILK HANDKERCHIEFS. Few laundresses wash fine embroidered handkerchiefs properly. Too often they go to pieces in the wringer, or are rubbed into holes on the washboard. Tlie dainty bit of cambric that is carried more for show than for use may be Avashed by the owner in her own J>owl. This done, all dust should be wiped from the large window pane, and the Handkerchief, Avhen it is still Avet, spread smoothly OA r cr the glass, all creased pressed out, and the corners kept flat. When the handkerchief is dry it will be crisp and new in appearance. TO WASH COLOURED PRINT SHIRTS. Dissolve a tablespoonful of alum in lukewarm, water. Dip tlie blouse into it, taking care to wet every part thoroughly, and then Airing out. Have ready some warm —not hot—suds, and wash the garment out quickly, then rinse in cold Avater. Have some warm starch ready, rinse the blouse in it, Avring it out, and hang the Avrong side out to dry, but not in The sun. Iron directly. It is better to Avash prints by themselves, when they can be washed and ironed! at once.