HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VII, 16 February 1895, Page 166

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

TO KEEP the colour in cotton materials. There are ail manner of precautions to take in order to preserve the colour in cotton materials. As a rule, if the coloured pattern goes right through the stuff, there is little doubt that it will wash, unless the fabric be very badly treated by the laundress. By making experiments at home, it is possible to retain the most delicate colours. Care —and of course, in some cases the proper preventives —will insure success almost without exception. Generally speaking, a good infusion is made from about three gills of common salt in four quarts of boiling water. The material must be put into this mixture whilst it is still hot, and left in it until the water has become cold. This will render the colours permanent, and they will not fade with subsequent careful washing. Vinegar boiled in the water that is subsequently to be used for washing will retain pale red, or pink, and green. If it is added to the last rinsing water, it will give brilliancy to deep red. Soda in moderate quantity is good for a pnrple-red and grey-blue, whereas potash is beneficial to black, but especially in woollen stuffs. If coloured cottons are washed carefully in lukewarm water without soda, and rinsed in salted water, there is, however, rarely any need to resort to any of the stronger and more tiresome methods.