HINTS ON A LINEN CUPBOARD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV, 12 June 1897, Page 750

HINTS ON A LINEN CUPBOARD.

This, like the store enpboard, is one of the moat interesting of household departments, affording as it does so much scope for daintiness and good management. The first essential is, of course, to be very particular as to the cupboard or room selected for the purpose of containing the linen. In some houses it is possible to have it near the bath room or kitchen, or in some other place where the contents may be benefited by the close proximity of hot pipes. In damp localities it might be found almost imperative to make such an arrangement, though, as a rule, any dry place will do. Unless the personnel boasts a * family ’ servant, having experience as a manager, it is advisable that the mistress should herself superintend all the dealings with the linen cupboard, except, of course, the weekly tidying, which must take place when the things come home from the laundry. As to the disposition of the cupboard itself, it should be fitted as best suits the taste and convenience of the owner ; as a general idea it is imperative to comfort and order to have the shelves well and conveniently distributed, some, destined to hold the larger items being being wider than the others. All the shelves should be covered with old sheets or coarse linen cut into proper widths; these can be tacked to the wall at the back, then spread over the shelf, a sufficient length being left to hang down so that when all the articles are in place they may be covered by the overhanging piece, and kept free from dust. Again, some discretion must be observed in the actual placing of the contents ; this will save a vast amount of time and trouble ; for instance, keep the varicns stacks of articles at a small distance from one another, to obviate confusion or mixing, if things are wanted in a hurry ; then everything should be stored away in the most convenient manner according to the frequency with which they will be needed, towels, napkins, d’oyleys, etc., in the more accessible places, and so on. For a moderate household, where all the arrangements arc simple, it is best not to aspire to too great a variety ; always invest in articles by the dozen or in the largest quantity likely to be required, as that plan is more economical in the long run and ensures greater similarity in one’s possessions. Now as to details, and to begin with bed linen : it is usual to reckon three pairs of sheets for each bed, though it is better to have four ; for servants the unbleached or bleached strong calico is most serviceable ; if the beds are all of the some size there will be no difficulty in buying or arranging. The great point is to have enough to be able to use each pair in turn. This is the secret of good management and of true economy. Let these sheets be just long enough to allow of turningnnder, say 2'/£ yards, and use bolster cases instead of covering them with the sheet. The bedding will keep clean longer, and the result is neater. Have four bolster cases and pillow cases respectively for each bed. The latter may be in linen, but servants often prefer cotton. The same applies to the other members of the family and to visitors. Have linen or calico sheets according to taste, or, better, a stock of both, the former being cooler for hot summer weather, whilst the soft twilled calico are warmer, and much pleasanter for those who cannot stand the chill of linen. The pillow cases should always be made of the latter material, and as fine as the funds will allow. If the beds are of different sizes, the sheets of each should be kept distinct by means of labels at the edge of the shelf; the same, of course, for pillow shams, bed spreads, etc. Old sheets should by no means be thrown away; cut them in half, and have the selvedge edges sewn together in the middle, and the outsides hemmed. Linen treated in this way will last a long time, and even when the sheets are worn quite thin they should be put aside for emergencies ; in cases of illness these are often most useful. Above all, let these emergency articles be kept on a shelf by themselves, and labelled as such; unless that is done, they will never be found just when they are most wanted. It is poor economy to make them over to the servants’ beds, where more hard-wearing things are needed. Next as to table linen. Old tablecloths can be cut up to make sideboard cloths ; finger napkins that are worn will do for fish, etc. For new material the double damask, though rather more costly than the single, is the most economical in the end ; it wears so very much longer. Large patterns should be avoided except for very large cloths. It is better to reckon a dozen cloths for everyday use, with two or four larger ones for use at dinner parties ; or include the large ones in the dozen, according to needs and to the number of good serviceable articles left of old stock. Table linen is one of the very few things that can advantageously be bought at sales. Capital cloths can often be bad at a considerable reduction merely owing to some stain which can easily be washed out; nor is it necessary to purchase all at the same time or at the same place, as long as the serviettes match the cloth. The different sets need not be alike, only, as I have advised above, be sure always to have a sufficient number to use in turn. A couple of dozen of serviettes will probably do to supplement the remaining ones ; this also applies to breakfast napkins. For kitchen use the so-called kitchen cloth, sold by the yard, is the most useful; the chessboard pattern wears admirably. Side-board cloths are now sold by the yard in various widths.

Marking is rather a difficulty, but most large firms will hem and mark linen purchased of them at very little (and in some places without extra) cost. If in ink or plain red initials I believe no charge is made ; but for worked monograms, which must be on a much larger scale, a small charge is made. Certainly this plan is worth adopting unless some of the members of the household find that sort of work a pleasure. Ink marking must be carefully inspected from time to time, as the best inks could not stand the treatment to which they are submitted in most laundries for more than a short space. Have a sufficient amount of things ; use them in rotation (by always putting the clean articles at the bottom of the pile), and mend all things very carefully before each wash ; there should then be no difficulty at all in having a dainty and well ordered linen cupboard.