THE LAUNDRY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE LAUNDRY

WASHING LACE 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 tho tub. To make the suds boil fine soap until dissolved and , strain into tho water. In the morning press the folded curtains, two at a time, in a dean basket to remove.the water, and drop them into a clean suds_prepared like tho first. Swash the curtains up 'and down, soaping the spots, if there are any, hut 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 the lace. If frames are used j the lace is basted to the cloth upon theih when they are stretched to dry. If not, they are to be pinned scallop by scallop to sheets laid upon the unoccu- • pied floor of a dustless chamber. Should the curtains be very fine, it is a good plan to haste 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 oyer them a piece of lace. » HOW TO WASH.OHINA SILK. Silk should be washed as rapidly as possible. Examine the articles to be* washed, and if there are any parte especially soiled" clean with a little benzine applied with, a flannel cloth.- Then prepare a soapsuds of lukewarm water, and plunge tho garments in it, sousing them up and down and rubbing them thoroughly in this sud. - Rinse them, into water still a little cooler; and’ then into a third water still a little cooler, and so . on until the final rinsing water is perfectly cold. Do not blue them. Wring them out as dry as 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'tHo wasHboaxd. The dainty hit of cambric, that is carried more for show than for use may be washed by the owner in her own howl. This done, all dust should be wiped fnom tho large window pane, and the handkerchief, when it is still wet, spread snmotnly Over the glass, all creases pressed out, and the corners kept flat. When the handkerchief is dry-it will he crisp and • now in appearance. ’

TO WASH COLOURED PRINT ; SHIRTS. ' Dissolve a tablespponful of alum., in lukewarm water. Dip the blouse_ into it, taking care to wet every part tnoroughly, and then wring out. Have ready shine warm —not hot—suds, and * wash the garment out quickly,'; then nnse in cold 'water. Have some warm starch ready, rinse the blouse in it, wring it out, and hang .the wrong side out -to dry. but not in the sun., Iron directly. It is better to wash prints by themselves, when they can ho washed and ironed at once.