Ii'f985 Cop. ! Manual -xm m HnU dfoUcge of AgtUulture At ajornell Iniueraita JItljaca, SJ. g. ICtbtatrg Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003649559 Laundry Manual L. RAY BALDERSTON DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE IN BOARDMAN MANUAL TRAINING HIGH SCHOOL, NEW HAVEN, CONN. M. C LIMERICK INSTRUCTOR OF DOMESTIC- SCIENCE IN DREXEL INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Third Edition Revised and Enlarged Philadelphia AVIL PRINTING COMPANY Market and Fortieth Sts. Z903. Copyright, 1900, by h. Kay Baldbrston and M. C. Limerick. PREraCE TO THIRD EDITION. ADVANTAGE has been taken of the opportunity afforded by the increasing demand for another edition of this manual to improve and enlarge it in accordance with the original purposes of the book. The chapters on stains and cleansing have been enlarged, and a chapter on the methods of soap making has been introduced. Other additions have been made, all intended to add to the usefulness of the book. August, 1902. (3) CHAPTER CHAPTER II.—; CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER- VII. CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI.- CONTENTS. PAOB — Introductory 7 Equipment for Home Laundry .... 7 Outline of Laundry Work 9 General Rules 9 Stains 16 Removal 17 Recipes 24 -Table Linen 26 Bed Linen 29 -Body Linen . . . . 35 -Flannels 42 -Shirts 45 Collars and Cuffs . . 49 Shirt Waists .... 49 -Colored Clothes 51 Stockings ... 51 -Embroideries . . . . . -53 Laces 54 Clear Starching 54 -Cleansing 56 •Soap Making 59 Recipes for Soap 60 Outline of Course for Instructors .... 6i (5) LAUNDRY MANUAL. CHAPTER I. Introductory. Mquipment for a Home Lanndry. Set tubs, three or four. Clothes wringer. Clothes stick. Clothes boiler (tin or copper). Clothes line. Wash board. Clothes pins. Clothes basket or pail. Water pail. Scrubbing brushes. Saucepan for starch. Spoon for starch. Strainer for starch. Agate pan for starching. Heavy cloth for tubs and boiler. Clothes horse. Duster for lines. Bosom board. Skirt board. Sleeve board. Small pointed irons. Heavy irons. (7) 8 Laundry Manual. Iron holders. Flannel. Iron rest. Wax. Polishing iron. Heavy paper. Small pieces of muslin and cheese cloth. Ironing table, covered with canton flannel, or coarse blanket and fine cotton cloth. Reagents. Salt. Vinegar. Borax. Naphtha. Hydrochloric acid. Alum. Ammonia. Oxalic acid. French chalk. Javelle water. Bran in cheese cloth bags, 9x9 inches. Other agents: Soda, Washing powders, Turpentine, Kerosene, Starch, Bluing, Paraffine. Introductory. 9 Outline of haundry Work. I. Preparation of the Wash: Sorting, Removing stains, Water used, Soap, Blue. II. Method of Washing : Soaking, Washing, Rinsing, Boiling, Rinsing, Bluing, Starching, Hanging, Drying, Sprinkling, Stretching, Folding. III. Ironing. IV. Folding. General Rules. Washing is the mechanical cleansing of clothes to remove all impurities and dirt. This is necessary for health and cleanliness. All clothes should be washed at least once in two weeks ; once a week being still more cleanly and sanitary. If clothes are only washed every two weeks, they should be put away with care and should be thoroughly dry. Sorting is the separating of clothes, before washing, into the divisions in which they are to be washed. lo Laundry Manual. Table linen, j Bed and body linen, Flannels, Stockings, Prints. There are several equally good methods for sorting. The flannels may be washed ^rsti_bii|.tio' matter when they are washed, thev must be washed alone and with great care. /Embroideries have not been classified with th»t regular laundry, as they are seldom washed- at the same time; and also because they require s-iich care in quick drying and ironing while daijip, that the laundress has not the time to care for them properly. They should be collected and washed when there is time to care for them. Removing stains. — In sorting the linen, care should be used to find all stains, and the garments should be laid aside, so that each stain may have its individual treatment. Table linen may have tea and coffee stains, grease spots, chocolate or fruit stains. Aprons and dresses may have ink or grass stains, and rust or grease spots. Sheets and clothing may have grease or rust spots. Each stain should be carefully examined and removed, if possible, before any washing, as the hot water and soap are likely to set stains. Clothes which are damp, and allowed to lay folded, are likely to mildew. This is a vegfetable growth and hard to remove, as it attacks the fibres of the cloth. Introductory. 1 1 ^ater should be clear and soft for washing. If it is hard, when the soap is used, there will be a scuin on the water. Hard water may be softened by using alkalies, as soda or ammonia; by boiling, and thus depositing the minerals which make it hard, or by a slower method of exposing to the air. Soaps are manufactured by mixing a fat and an alkali (like soda or potash). The value of the soap depends upon the alkalies present, and upon the kind of fat; many varieties have coloring matters and perfumes in addition. Some are kneaded like bread dough, therefore they contain air, and in that way they are made to float. It is more economical to buy soap in large quantities, so that it may be put in a moderately warm room to dry and harden. Other agents are generally used, either to soften the water, whiten the clothes, or to make the rubbing easier. These are agents whereby the laundress hopes to make laundry work less of a drudgery. Soda is used to soften the water. Alnxn is used to clear the water. One tablespoon of alum dissolved in water and added to the water will precipitate the mud. If added to a tub of soiled water, it will precipitate the dirt, so that the water can be used again, if water is very scarce. (For the sake of thorough cleanliness not advis- able.) Ammonia is used in softening the water and remov- ing dirt from the clothing. Borax is valuable in removing dirt, whitening the clothes, and giving gloss to them. One-half lb. to lo gal. water is a good proportion when it takes 12 Laundry Manual. the place of a washing powder. It is a salt, con- sisting of an acid and soda. It is not so violent in action as soda but has a powerful effect in softening the water. It is a good cleansing agent as it does not harm the material or color ; hence it is the safest agent to use for delicate fabrics or colored material. Kerosene is used to loosen the dirt, and may be added in the proportion of 3 tablespoons to i lb. of soap. I/ye made from wood ashes is used for softening the water. Paraffine Wax may be used instead of kerosene or turpentine. Pearline is a substitute for borax, and, if used carefully, is not harmful to the hands or clothes. It has a very strong alkali present, and so should be used with care, as should all prepared washing powders. Turpentine will whiten the clothes. Blue or Indigo. — Indigo is made from a plant which comes from Calcutta, Egypt and Guatemala. Prussian Blue is a chemical compound containing iron. Ultramarine is insoluble in water and gives a tint by means of a very fine powder which enters the cloth. Any of the blues are used to counteract the yellow from the soap. Garments should be thoroughly shaken out before going into the blue water. If Prussian Blue is used, the clothes must be very thoroughly rinsed before putting into the blue water, as the alkali of the soap decomposes the iron compound and the result is seen in iron rust, and sometimes in a yellowish tint over the clothes. Introductory. 1 3 Process of Washing all Clothes in General. JVasbing is a mechanical means of removing dirt. A clothes board is used and the clothes are rubbed so as to remove the dirt. If some of the clothes are very coarse and dirty, they may be cleaned with a short, small scrubbing brush. This is good for hand towels and overalls. The clothes are washed first on the right side and then are turned and washed on the wrong side. Rinsing. — After the two washings, the clothes should be rinsed in clear water so as to remove any loose dirt before putting them into the boiler. Boiling. — The clothes, after being rinsed, are wrung and soaped all over, and placed in the boiler with clear, cold water. A few pieces of soap may be thrown into the boiler for suds. After coming to a boil the clothes should boil briskly for five minutes; briskly, so as to keep the scum from set- tling on them. If they are not clean they may boil longer. Use a clothes-stick to open the clothes and to take them from the boiler. Miusimf is again necessary after boiling. The water should be cold and clear. Two waters for rinsing will whiten the clothes and will remove all soap. Clothes should always be rinsed well before blu- ing, as the soap and blue combine and cause iron rust. BluiMf. — Blue water is made by adding indigo to clear, cold water. If lumps of indigo are used, they should be tied in a cloth and then rubbed in the water until the water is the required color. Test 14 Laundry Manual. by holding in the palm of the hand, or by bluing a small garment. The clothes should be opened well before going into the bluing, so that they will not be streaked with blue. The clothes, if quite yellow, may remain in the blue water a little while. The water should be well stirred every time the clothes are added, as the indigo settles to the bottom. In making the bluing, the water should be well stirred each time before more blue is added. After bluing, the clothes are wrung and are then starched, or not, as is necessary, and then hung. Starching. — Thickness of starch depends upon the articles to be starched. Hanging should be in the open air. The line should be perfectly clean and the pins clean. The line should not be left out to get soiled, and the pins should be scrubbed well when soiled. Always shake the garments well, hang straight, and with the wind. Polding. — When dry, the clothes should be stretched and folded carefully; then they will have fewer creases and will iron more easily. Sprinkling. — They are sprinkled, rolled, and allowed to stand an hour or so, sometimes over night, before ironing. If they stand some time they will be more evenly dampened and will iron more easily. Pound the rolls to distribute the moisture. Irons. — Irons should be of various sizes: small ones with points for small clothing; heavy ones for table and bed linen; polishing irons for cuffs and collars; Mrs. Potts' irons for convenience. Introductory. 15 Irons which are rusty should be rubbed while warm with beeswax, and then rubbed quickly with a cloth. Irons are improved by washing frequently with soap and water, then rubbing with sand soap. Rinse with boiling water and wipe dry. Place on the stove and when hot rub with beeswax. Wipe with a cloth before using. Irons not in use will be kept from rusting if covered with wax. They should always be kept in a dry place. CHAPTER II. Stains. Character of Stain. Reagent. Blood, Cold water, Fels Naptha soap and warm water. Cold raw starch Brass I^ard Olive oil, Chocolate Borax and cold water, . . . Tea, Coffee Boiling water, Fruit Boiling water Javelle water Glue Vinegar, Grass, Fels Naptha soap and water, Ammonia and water Alcohol Molasses, Paste of soap and cooking soda, (i6) CHAPTER II. Stains. Method of Removing. Wash in cold water until stain turns brown, then rub with Pels Naptha soap and soak in warm water. If thick goods, make a paste of raw starch and apply several times until the stain is removed. Rub either lard or oil- on stain, then wash in warm water and soap. Sprinkling the stain with the borax and soaking in cold water" first, will aid the action of the boiling water. Spread stained part over a bowl, pour boiling water on it from a height so as to strike the stain with force. Use same as for coffee stains. Use Javelle solution and boiling water in equal quantities and immerse stained portion, allowing it to soak a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with boiling water. Apply vinegar with a cloth until stain is removed. Wash in Fels Naptha soap and warm water. Ammonia and water applied at once if not on delicate colors. Wash in alcohol. If color may be affected, use molasses or the paste ; spread on and allow to stand for several hours. (17) 1 8 Laundry Manuals Indigo, Boiling water, Ink, Milk Oxalic acid, . . Salt and lemon juice, Javelle water, Collins' Ink Kradicator, Iodine, Bther Chloroform, Fels Naptha soap and warm water Iron rust, Hydrochloric acid, Lemon juice and salt, . . Stains. 19 Wash in boiling water. Sometimes boiling the article will draw out the spots of indigo formed from im- perfect bluing. If stain is fresh, place stained, portion in milk and allow to stand. If milk is discolored use more. ' Wet with cold water, pour oxalic acid on the stain, let stand a few- minutes and then rinse. When stain is removed, wash in water to which ammonia has been added. If stain is dry and well set, cover with salt and lemon juice, or use Javelle water as for other stains. Use as directed on the box. Note. — Either of the last three methods is likely to extract color. If the kind of ink is known, it is best to try the different reagents on a small piece of the goods before attempting to remove stain. Some ink, owing to its chemical composition, is more easily removed by one method than by another. I'iii"iit"i'ii|'^ Plate No. 3. THE FOLDING OF DRAWERS. CHAPTER IV. Body Linen. Drawers, Handkerchiefs, Aprons, Night dresses, Corset covers, Skirts. Stains. — Grease, blood, iron rust, vaseline, medicine. Soaking. — Soak one-half hour with soap in cold or lukewarm water. Washing. — Wash in warm water and soap. Wash drawers and nightdress in the first water on the right side, in the second water wash on the wrong side. If two waters are not used, the clothes are turned and both sides washed in the same water. Soap the bottom hems, seams and bands well and rub thoroughly. In wringing, turn the buttons inside, and be sure to turn them flat so as not to force them off. Boiling. — Soap oands, seams and hems well before boil- ing. Boil briskly for five minutes and then rinse in cold water. Starching. — For trimming, the starch should be thinner than for the body of the garments. For trimming use: ^ tablespoon starch, % teaspoon lard, J^ cup cold water, i teaspoon borax, I qt. boiling water. For body of garments use: ij^ tablespoons (instead J^ tablespoon) starch. Add the cold water to the starch, lard and borax, (35) 36 Laundry Manual. stirring to remove lumps; then slowly add the boiling water, stirring constantly. The starch should be cooked slowly one-half hour and strained. Borax stiffens and the fat smooths it. Add a little blue water to the starch. Use starch very hot. Wring as dry as possible and rub in with the fingers. Starch: Cufis and yoke of nightdress. Hems and tucks of drawers. All oi corset cover with thin starch. RufEle of skirt, or sometimes the lower half. Hanging. — Hang wrong side out and with the wind. Nightdress, by one side of lower hem. Skirt, by one side of lower hem. Drawers, by the band. Corset cover, by one of fronts, or thrown over the line and pinned by middle seam of back. Sprinkling. — Sprinkle the body of the underclothes well, but not too heavily. Rub the lace and trim- ming between the fingers, which have been dipped in water. Both hems and trimming should be well sprinkled; the hems, because they are thick and the trimming, because it is thin and likely to dry quickly. Folding. — Lay trimming all inside and fold in the hems before folding the garment. Roll smoothly and tightly. Ironing. — Iron embroidery on flannel and on wrong side. Iron all garments quickly, ironing as large a space at one time as is possible. Iron buttons on Laundry Manual. 37 Plate No. /. THE FOLDING OF CORSET COVERS. Laundry Manual. 39 Plate No. s- th:e foi/Ding of chemises. Body Linen. 41 the wrong side. If clothes are too dry, use a cloth for dampening. In ironing nightdress, iron the embroidery and tucks on the sleeve first. Then iron the yoke, the body of the nightdress, and then fold. Run the iron well into the gathers. In ironing drawers, iron the trimming, tucks, and then the body and the band. Corset covers should be ironed with smaller iron, and between the seams. In ironing skirt, the rufiQe is ironed first, and then may be laid back without wrinkling while the hem of the skirt is ironed. Then iron the body. Do not fold the skirt at once but hang to dry, as the folds are usually damp. "1 Handkef chiefs are ironed the same as napkins. Towels, with the exception of those with colored borders, are washed and boiled as body linen. They are ironed on both sides and folded in three lengthwise folds. Note. — Do not use alkaline substances, as soapine, pearl- ine, washing soda, for diapers, as they remain in the fabric after drying, and irritate. Ammonia may be used as it is volatile and so will leave the fabric. Fels Naptha soap and warm water may be used in place of the washing powders. CHAPTER V. Flannels. Washing. — Four short rules may be observed in wash- ing flannels: Wash one piece at a time. Do not soak, boil or rub. Do not wash in dirty water. Wash in waters of same temperature. Flannels should be washed either first or last so that they may have the attention they require. They should be passed quickly from one water to another, until ready for the line. Wash in lukewarm water to which melted soap has been added — one-fourth pound of Ivory or Wool soap in one quart of water. This is necessary as soap should not be rubbed on flannel. Wash up and down in the water without rubbing, if possible. It is a mistaken idea to wear flannels as long as possible, thinking they will shrink when first washed. If this idea is followed, the flannels become so soiled that rubbing is necessary. Any mechanical treatment, as rubbing or wringing, causes the fibres of which flannels are made to shorten; hence the garment shrinks. If very soiled, use i tablespoon ammonia to 2 gallons of water. In many cases, better results may be obtained by using a second suds. (42) Flannels. 43 Rinsing. — Rinse in two or three waters, all of the same temperature as the first wash water. Adding one tablespoon of glycerine to the last water helps to keep the wool soft. Hanging. — Blue and squeeze as dry as possible. Shake well, pull in shape and hang to dry in a moder- ately warm place. Flannels often shrink from being hung too near a fire and dried quicklj'. Hang wrong side out and when nearly dry, turn. Blankets may be stretched in curtain stretchers to dry, instead of being hung. Stockings or socks may be dried on wooden forms. This is frequently done for children's socks. Knitted shawls or squares 0/ flannel sh.0VL\6. be dried on a sheet placed on the floor. Unless held by stretchers, all flannels should be pulled and stretched into shape while drying. Ironing. — Underwear and stockings are pressed ofi" after drying. Flannel shirts, shirt waists, skirts and blankets, not dried in stretchers, may be ironed by laying a slightly dampened cheese cloth over the flannel and pressing with a moderately hot iron. In removing the cheese cloth, the fibres will be drawn up giving the flannel the fluffy appearance of new material. Soap for Washing Blankets. I large bar Ivory Soap, 2 tablespoons borax, 3 quarts cold water, ^ cup wood alcohol. Shave the soap into the cold water and heat to boiling point. When cold, add borax and alcohol. 44 Laundry Manual. Put one quart of this solution into the first tub, one pint into the second tub and then rinse in clear water. All three waters should be of the same temperature. Follow the rules above for washing. This solution will wash four pairs of blankets. CHAPTER VI. Shirts, Shirt Waists, Collars and Cuffs. Stains : — Rust, Grease, Ink, Fruit. Washing. — In washing, care should be used as the color may fade. It is well to guard against this by using salt and water, i tablespoon to i gallon of water, or vinegar and water, J^ cup to i gallon water. Sometimes one, and sometimes the other is better. If it seems faded before putting it into water, rinse in vinegar and water. Rinsing, — Rinse quickly in clear water; then in vinegar and water, using proportions above. Boiling. — Do not bail colored clothes. Starching. — The whole shirt waist may be starched with starch made as follows: ij^ tablespoons starch, J^ cup cold water, 5^ teaspoon borax, I qt. boiling water. Prepare and cook as described on page 35. Use one-half at first, and, as it thins and cools, use the rest. For black waists, the starch may be darkened with one-half cup of coffee solution reducing the boiling water that much. Blue waists may have blue water added to the starch before starching. (45) 46 Laundry Manual. Do not add blue water to the starch for pink, green or lavender shirt waists. If desired, the starch may be colored with corresponding dye. Drying. — Hang by the neck band so that it will dry well; if of delicate colors, hang out of the sun. Starching. — Shirt bosoms, cuffs, collars txA front plaits of shirt waists may now be starched according to the laundry method. Use Jive tablespoo7is of staxch for this instead of one and a half as used for the body. A cloth should be stretched on the table and tacked to keep it smooth and tight. The starch will be like a jelly and should be rubbed in with the fingers. The rubbing is not complete until the various thicknesses of material are as one. Then the starch must be wiped from both sides by a damp cloth. In finishing the rubbing, see that the goods are free from wrinkles and, if striped, that the stripes are perfectly straight. Sprinkling. — After drying the second time, the shirt or shirt waist may be sprinkled. Dampen the bosom of the shirt, the cuffs, the front plait and the collar (if attached) by rubbing on both sides with a damp cloth. Sprinkle the rest of the waist or shirt evenly and then roll, folding the heavily starched parts in a damp cloth. Collars and cuffs are dampened the same as those attached to shirt waists and rolled in a damp cloth. Ironing. — Shirts. First iron the bosoms on a bosom- board. This is a small board of about the same width as the shirt bosom, consequently the bosom may be ironed without the body of the shirt Laundry Manual. 47 Plate No. 6. THE FOLDING OF SHIRTS. Shirts, Shirt Waists, Collars and Cuffs. 49 interfering. A board of the same shape may be fastened permanently to the end of a laundry table. It should be covered, as any ironing-board, with flannel and muslin, but not made too soft. After the bosom is ironed, remove the board; iron the neck-band and wrist-bands, then the sleeves and the body of the shirt. Skirt waists. — Iron the cufiFs and collars (if attached) by first partially drying each side with a plain, heavy iron, and then rubbing with a polish- ing iron until thoroughly dry. If the starching has been carefully done, there will be little or no trouble with wrinkles, as they will have been stroked out. Next iron yoke, then front plait and the rest of the waist. Iron as quickly as possible, so that the waist will not need a second dampen- ing. Pique or embroidered shirt waists should be ironed on wrong side — excepting the sleeves — and on well-padded ironing table, so that the cord or figure may stand out. Collars and cuffs. — Whether the collars and cuffs are attached or adjustable they are ironed by the above method. Turned-down collars should be ironed flat and when finished, should be rubbed with a damp cloth just on the folding line. This will soften the fold so that the turning may be accomplished without blistering or cracking. Collars and cuffs are rolled in the last stage of their ironing. This is accomplished by passing the iron over the wrong side, at the same time curving the collar or cuff over after the iron. The iron should be started at the extreme end of the collar or cuff. This should be repeated two or three 50 Lazmdry Manual. times from each end. Turned-down collars are rolled after being folded. For a dull finish, collars ajid cufis and shirt bosoms, after they are ironed, may be carefully rubbed with a slightly moistened cheese cloth. Flannel shirt waists are washed as flannels. See chapter on flannels. Silk Shirt Waists. — Wash-silk waists are washed as colored waists. Before they are entirely dry, iron on the wrong side. A little gum water (described on page 24) , will give a slight stiffness if desired. Note. — The method of starching and ironing, given in this chapter, is the same as used in laundries. It requires the extra time for the drying, but will, give stiffer cuffs and collars than if done in the ordinary home method. If the home method is preferred, starch the whole waist at first and give the cuffs extra rub- bing. When the waist is dry, starch the cuffs with cold starch; roll them in a damp cloth, and lay inside the sprinkled waist. In this method more care is necessary in ironing the cuffs and collar, as there is not such an opportunity to stroke out the wrinkles. CHAPTER VII. Colored Clothes. Stains. — Stains in colored clothes must be removed with great care, as the reagents themselves are likely to leave a stain. Often the " original stain is less noticeable than that produced by the chemical used to remove it. Washing. — Colored clothes must not be soaked. They may be rinsed in water containing salt or vinegar. This may set the color before the washing. Wash as quickly as possible in clear water, with little soap. Very hot water will dull the color. Salt or vinegar may be added to the rinsing waters (there should be two) to brighten the colors. For proportions see page 45. Avoid using strong yellow soaps, ammonia, and all washing powders. Starching. — For dark goods, the starch should be col- ored as for shirt waists. The starch will show less if the garment is wrong side out when starched. If desired very stiff, starch after they are dry, as in the case with the shirt waists. Hanging. — Hang in the shade and dry quickly. Sprinkling. — Do not sprinkle until a short time before ironing, being careful to wrap each piece separately while damp. Stockings. Washing. — Stockings are first washed on the right side and then turned and washed on the wrong side. (51) 52 Lajindry Manual. The feet should have special care. Rinse in clear water, as the rinse water used for other clothes contains lint, which will cling^ to the stockings. New stockings should be rinsed in salt water to set the color. Stockings, as well as colored clothes, are not boiled. Hanging. — Stockings are rinsed, blued and hung wrong side out. They should be pulled into shape when hung and pinned to the line by the top. Ironing. — Stockings are not sprinkled, but are ironed on the wrong side. Silk stockings are washed in same manner as silks, pages 56, 57. Woolen stockings same as flannels, page 42. CHAPTER Vin. Embroideries. Washing. — Make a suds of Ivory Soap and warm water. Wash the embroidery up and down in the suds, without rubbing, until clean. Rinse thor- oughly as soap will make them yellow. Do not allow to stand in water. If several pieces are to be washed, wash one at a time and hang out straight, so that the colors will not touch each other. By the time the last piece is washed, the first one may be ironed. They may be ironed at once if preferred, as they should not be sprinkled, rolled, or folded. Do not blue or boil. Ironing. — In ironing, lay several thicknesses of flannel on the table or board; over this place a clean, soft cloth. Iron on the wrong side until dry. If a large piece and much plain linen, turn and iron lightly on the right side, where there is no em- broidery, to give a gloss to the linen. If a circu- lar piece, iron straight across the grain of the goods, instead of around the embroidery and then in the center. This will prevent the center from puffing up. Always have the goods perfectly straight and iron with the grain. If inclined to pucker, have some one hold it and iron straight across, holding the iron until the cloth is dry. Do not fold but lay away flat or roll on a heavy roll of paper. (53) 54 Laundry Manual. Laces. Washing, — Baste the lace, first, on strips of cheese cloth, being careful to baste all points down. Then put the lace into warm soapy water and let stand for some time. After standing, wring out and put into fresh, soapy water. Squeeze, shake out, and squeeze again, taking care to work gently as the threads are very tender. Do this until the lace is perfectly clean. Rinse in clear water. If yellow, lace may be bleached by laying in sun or by soak- ing for a few minutes in Javelle water. A final rinsing in borax water (4 teaspoons — i pint) will give a slight stiffness like new lace. Gum arable may be used in place of borax. Clear Starching, — ^Laces may be clear starched and in that way given a little of a new appearance. Judg- ment should be used in starching lace curtains. The thinner the material, the less likely to hold starch. Clear Starch. I teaspoon starch, ^ cup cold water, I quart boiling water. Cook yi hour, strain, and use hot. Dip the lace into the starch solution and squeeze very dry. Then clap in the hands until almost Laces. 55 Ironing. — If ironed, lace should be laid on a piece of flannel covered with a soft cloth. Iron on the wrong side, being careful to iron out all the points. A much better way, however, is to fasten the lace to a pillow or stretched sheet, by pinning every point down. No pins should be inserted in any other places besides the points, as the scallop will be out of shape and irregular. Lace handkerchiefs should be washed and partly dried, then put in the hot starch and wrung out, then clapped and ironed. Retiaissance lace may be ironed by placing over it a piece of muslin which has been wrung out in cold starch; over this lay a dry cloth. Iron slightly with a hot iron; remove the starched mus- lin and complete the ironing by using the top cloth. Lace curtains are not ironed, but are stretched in curtain stretchers and dried. Here great care should be used in pinning the points. If curtain stretchers cannot be procured, the curtains may be pinned to the carpet which has been covered with a tightly stretched sheet. Curtains may be stiff- ened by using bran water, page 24. CHAPTER IX. Cleansing. Before putting garments away for the summer, see that all the soiled spots are removed. This is necessary to prevent moths. Woolens. — In washing black or colored woolen goods, it is better to first rip the garments and then remove the linings. Take out all the threads. Shake and brush well. Wash in soap bark or detergent. Do not allow to become dry, but iron while quite damp. Iron on the wrong side until perfectly dry. If only one or two spots, cleanse with detergent or any good cleansing solution. In using cleansing solutions, it is well to test a small piece of the material first, as sometimes the colors will change by the ether which is present. Clear water and a little white soap is often all that is needed. Undyed Silks may be soaked for a few hours in cold water. Squeeze or lightly rub in soaking water. Wash in soap lather. A little dissolved borax may be added to the wash water if the silk is much soiled or greasy. Wash by squeezing more than rubbing, unless the soil is very obsti- nate. If pure white, let the last rinsing be slightly blued, but not for cream white. In last rinsing water, whether blue or clear, put into every pint of water one teaspoon prepared gum arable, which will give a slight firmness. Wrap the silk in soft cloth (56) Cleansing. 57 and press very dry with the hands. Leave it rolled until ready for ironing. It requires no drying. For ironing, lay the silk on the table right side up and very smooth. Cover with a thin, smooth cloth. Run the iron lightly over it at first, then iron until dry. Colored silks and stockings must be done in the same way, but without soaking or being laid aside while dampened. They should be finished ofE quickly. A little vinegar in the last rinsing water will help brighten and set the color. All silks, except the stockings, will have a better appearance if a little gum is added to the last water. For large articles a little boiled starch, much diluted, may be used and will be cheaper. Bangings of any kinds, which are full of dust, should be gently but thoroughly shaken before being wet. If dust is not removed, it becomes a kind of mud, which, when wet, is not only difficult to remove, but discolors the fabric permanently. Miderdown may be washed in the same way as flannels. When nearly dry, press on the wrong side. It is a great improvement to the garment to brush it with a stift' clothes-brush after ironing. Brush with the nap. I/igbt Colored Velvets may be cleaned by brushing with corn-meal until the soil is removed. All velvets may be freshened or folds taken out by steaming. To Steam Velvets, stand a hot iron on end and cover the bottom of it with a wet cloth. Over this pass 58 Laundry Manual. the velvet, holding the wrong side next to the damp cloth. Altar l/inen. — No starch or bluing should be used in washing altar linen . The ironing board and irons should be thoroughly cleaned before ironing. Surplices and Cottas, if yellow, may be whitened by using a little bluing in the rinsing water. No starch should be used. AIL the embroidery should be ironed on the wrong side, and on a board covered with heavy flannel. CHAPTER X. 5oap Making. Generai, Directions. Preparation of Fat. — Fresh fat or oil may be used for making soap; but fat left from frying is equally good and more economical for ordinary soap. If cooking fat is used, it should be clarified by boil- ing iu it several pieces of raw potato. The scum which rises should be taken off and the fat strained through cheese cloth. It is then ready for soap. For toilet soaps, fresh oil and fat should be used. Mixing of Soap. — Dissolve lye in cold water and set aside to cool. The lye mixture should be stirred with a stick. Lye irritates the hands ; hence it is better to protect them by putting paper bags over them. If borax and ammonia are used, add them to the lye mixture before adding the fat. Perfumery is added just as the soap thickens. All soap mixtures should stand until of the con- sistency of hone)^ and then be moulded. Moulding of Soap. — A small quantity of soap may be moulded in an agate pan, which should be wet before pouring in the soap mixture. I^arger quantities are cared for more easily by pouring the mixture into a wooden box. In this case, line the box with several thicknesses of yellow paper, greasing the top layer on the side next the soap. (59) 6o Laundry Manual. Individual round cakes may be formed by using agate gem pans for moulds. Agate ware or wooden utensils should be used in the mixing and moulding of soap, as the lye will eat the tin and so ruin a good pan. All soap should stand in a moderately warm temperature until hard, and then may be cut into cakes. It is more economical to dry the soap by spread- ing it on paper in a warm room. Soap No. I. 5 lbs. clarified fat, i can best lye, ij^ qts. cold water, i^ tablespoons borax, Yz cup ammonia. Soap No. II. 5>^ lbs. clarified fat, 3j^ pts. cold water, I can lye. i Toilet Soap. I lb. cotton seed oil, lo tablespoons lye, |4 lb. white lard, \% cup cold water, 5 drops of lavender and oil of geranium. CHAPTER XI. Outline of Laundry Course. This outline is given as an aid to instructors. It is used by the authors in instructing their classes in laun- dry work. The classes average eight students. Two and a half hours are required for each of these lessons. I/esson J. General notes to be given. Making Soap, Detergent, Javelle Water. J^esson II. Wash. Table I/inen. I table cloth for every four students. I dinner napkin for each student. I doylie for each student. I/esson III. Wash. Bed Linen. I sheet for every four students. I pillow case for each student. Iron. Table cloth, napkins and doylies. I/CSSon IV. Wash. I nightdress for every two students. I pair of drawers for each student. Iron. Sheets and pillow cases. (6i) 62 Lesson Laundry Manual. Wash. Body Linen. I short, white skirt for every stu- dent, or I long skirt for every two students. I corset cover for each student. Iron. I/esson Lesson Lesson Lesson VL Wash. Iron. VIL Wash. Starch. VIIL Iron. IX. Wash. Nightdress and drawers. I Shirt waist for two students. I Collar and one pair of cuffs for each student. Skirts and corset covers. Stockings and towels. Shirt waist, collars and cuffs. Shirt waist. Collars and cuffs. Flannels. I piece for each student. Outline of Laundry Course. 63 Wash. Colored clothes. I piece for each student. Iron. Stockings and towels. Lesson X. Iron. Flannels. Iron. Colored clothes. l/csson XI. Wash. Handkerchiefs, embroideries. Laces. Clear starching. Iron. Embroideries. Handkerchiefs. Lesson XII. Clean and wash black or woolen goods. Wash. I piece of woolen goods for each student. Wash and clear starch sash curtains. }i curtain for each student. Iron. Goods and curtain. INDEX. Altar linen 58 Alum II water 25 Ammonia . . 11 Aprons 35 Bed linen 29 Blankets 42, 43 Bleaching 24 Blue 12 Bluing . . 13 Body linen . . -35 Boiling . 13, 35, 45 Borax . . 11 Bran water recipe .... 24 Cleansing . . .... 56 Collars . 46 Colored goods 51 Corset covers . .... 36 Cottas 58 Cuffs 46 Detergent 56 recipe 25 Diapers 41 Doylies 29 Drawers 35. 36. 4i Eiderdown 57 Embroideries . . . . 35, 36. 53 Flannels 42, 43, 50 Folding 14 chemises (PI. 5) • ... 39 corset covers (PI. 4) . .37 drawers (PI. 3) 33 handkerchiefs . . •29 napkins 26 nightdresses (PI. 2) . .31 pillow cases 29, 30 sheets 29 shirts (PI. 6) 47 shirt waists 45 skirts , , 36, 41 Folding table lineu (PI. i ) .27 Gum water recipe 24 Hanging 14 corset covers 36 drawers 36 napkins 26 nightdresses 36 pillow cases 29 sheets 29 shirt waists 45 skirts 36 stockings 52 tablecloths 29 Handkerchiefs 41, 55 Irons 14 kinds of 14 care of 15 Ironing. collars 49 corset covers 41 cuffs 49 drawers 41 embroideries . . . . 36, 53 flannels 43 handkerchiefs 41 laces 53 napkins 26 nightdresses 41 pillow cases 30 sheets 30 shirts 46 shirt waists 49 silks 57 skirts 41 tablecloths 26 Javelle water 54 recipe 24 Kerosene 12 Laces 54 Lace curtains 5$ (6S) 66 Index. PAOB Laundry rules 9 Laundry. equipment of 7 outline of 8 Lye 12 Napkins 26 Nightdress . . 35, 36, 41 Outline for teachers .... 61 of laundry 8 ParaflSne 12 Pearline 12 Pillow cases . . . . 29, 30 Recipes 24 Alum water .... 25 Bran water 24 Detergent 25 Gum water . .... 24 Javelle water 24 Starch. boiled 35 clear 54 cold . . .... 25 Rinsing 13 colored clothes . . . 45, 51 flannels 42 silks 56 Sheets 29, 30 Shirts .... .... 45, 46 Shirt waists 45, 49i 5° Silks 50, 56, 57 Skirts 35. 37, 41 Soaking 29, 35 Soap ... II Recipes 60 Toilet soap . . . . 60 Soap for blankets . . 43 Soda II Sprinkling . . .... 14 collars 46 cuffs 46 muslin embroideries . 36 table linen ... . . 26 Stains 16-23 Starching 14 aprons , , .35 PAGE Starching. collars 46 corset covers 36 cufls 46 drawers .... -36 laces 53 nightdresses 36 shirts 46 shirt waists . . . . 45, 46 skirts 36 Stockings 51, 52 Stretching ^ . . 14 lace curtains 55 Surplices .58 Table linen 26 Table cloths 26 Towels ... 41 Tray cloths . . . ; . . 29 Turpentine 12 Velvets 57 Washing . ........ 13 colored embroideries . . 53 corset covers 35 diapers 41 doylies 26 drawers 35 flannels 42 laces 54 napkins 26 nightdresses 35 pillow cases ... -29 sheets 29 shirts 45 shirt waists 45 silks. 56 skirts 35 stockings 51 table cloths 26 tray cloths 26 woolen goods 56 Washing powder 12 Pearline 12 Water 11 Woolen goods 56 m^m