FOR RENOVATING CURTAINS.

Otaki Mail, 3 September 1930, Page 4

FOR RENOVATING CURTAINS.

COLD TEA AS A DYE. Cold tea as a renovating agent for tliose curtains that are showing signs of wear needs to be tried to be ap-, predated. That it entails no additional cost, is another point in its favour. First wash your curtains in the usual way, then take several brewings cf stale tea and strain through a line sieve or piece’of old muslin. Add the tea water to the starch spoonful by spoonful until the desired shade is obtained. Now stir well for a minute and set aside for a quarter of an hour, after which the curtains should be immersed in the solution for ten to fifteen minutes. This will give them a pretty ecru shade, hide numerous' minor faults, and, due to tannin in the tea, the cotton in the curtains is almost doubled in strength. When the dyeing has proceeded to the-shade you wish wring out the curtains and hang immediately in the way of a gentle breeze. If this is done the curtains will take on a lasting eeru tint. If the curtains are of lace they may be “got up” almost like new by ironing well to* the width. This causes the design to show up clear and attractive.

If on the other hand, the lace has a raised pattern a thick blanket or piece of felt should bo slipped under the ironing sheet and the lace be ironed over it. This will cause the raised pattern to stand out in bold relief and create a professional touch in the curtains once they are rehung.