Soap is the best all-round cleansing agent to use in the laun-
dry, but there are other substances with, similar cleansing prof>
erties that may be used with good results in its place:
In the leaves, stems, roots, or bark of some plants occurs a
Boap-hke substance that is closely allied to soap in its power tn
remove dirt. Soap-bark ( quill aia bark) is a familiar example of
this kind of cleansing agent. When powdered soap-bark i>
put into water it ^v^ a good lather, and it acts quickly and
effectively to remove dirt and stains.
Another substance with soap-like characteristics, but of
aninaal origin, is known as ox-bile, or ox-gall. Soap-bark and
ox-gall are doubtless well known to the housekeeper, for the}'
are often used to wash garments easily injured by the strong al-
kalis, for example, woolens, and fabrics printed in delicate coloi^.
Bran, rice, potatoes, and starch are frequently recommendf<i
as good substitutes for soaps in washing delicate fabrics and
colors*
Van'ous substBncea are used witb soap to la;caa^ja*\fc^^^^^
ate the washing process. Among theoi laa.^ >o«j
THE LAUNDRY
253
I
I
I
*\^Q<e substances at that time prevetits the action of the lime
m the soap. A good suds may thus quickly be obtained, but
,t iloe^ not rid the water of the lime-soap curd which forms and
wfik'lip i» P*^ ^^ least, becomes entangled in the pores of the
cloth* The entangled curd has a weakening action on the fabric
mi pves it a close, filled-in appearance.
The only satisfactory method of getting rid of iron is to add
w:is!iing-soda to the water, then allowing the water to settle
fi>r five or six days before using it. The top water is afterward
drawn off.
Water may be softened by any of the following methods:
1. For each gallon of water, use 2 tablespoons of a solution
made by dissolving 1 pound of washing-soda in 1 quart of boiling
water. The solution should be bottled and kept on hand, as
it is a useful cleansing agent, or detergent.
2. For each gallon of water use 7* tablespoon of lye dissolved
in 1 cup of water.
3. For each gallon of water use 1 tablespoon of borax dis*
Kjjved in 1 cup of water.
If water is very hard, increase the amount of alkali used.
Organic maUer:
Organic material may be precipitated by the use of alum in
the form of an alum-borax mixturep The sediment should be
allowed to settle and the water may then be drawn from the
lap.
To remove organic matter, for each gallon of water 1 table-
Fpoon of a mixture made up of two-thirds borax and one-third
alum should be used. If the water is rich in organic matter,
more than 1 tablespoon of the mijcture must be used. When
water is ve^ scarce, alum is sometimes used to separate the
dirt from the water and the water is then filtered and used
again.
SOAP
A question often arises as to t^ advisability of using kitchen-
J^aste fats in making soap at home. While some house-
keepers may find such use an economy, the fact remains that
L
J
A MANUAL OF HOME-MAKING
Page 138
Presented as published in 1919. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
A modernized reading is not available for this page yet. You are seeing the original text.
Soap is the best all-round cleansing agent to use in the laun-
dry, but there are other substances with, similar cleansing prof>
erties that may be used with good results in its place:
In the leaves, stems, roots, or bark of some plants occurs a
Boap-hke substance that is closely allied to soap in its power tn
remove dirt. Soap-bark ( quill aia bark) is a familiar example of
this kind of cleansing agent. When powdered soap-bark i>
put into water it ^v^ a good lather, and it acts quickly and
effectively to remove dirt and stains.
Another substance with soap-like characteristics, but of
aninaal origin, is known as ox-bile, or ox-gall. Soap-bark and
ox-gall are doubtless well known to the housekeeper, for the}'
are often used to wash garments easily injured by the strong al-
kalis, for example, woolens, and fabrics printed in delicate coloi^.
Bran, rice, potatoes, and starch are frequently recommendf<i
as good substitutes for soaps in washing delicate fabrics and
colors*
Van'ous substBncea are used witb soap to la;caa^ja*\fc^^^^^
ate the washing process. Among theoi laa.^ >o«j
THE LAUNDRY
253
I
I
I
*\^Q<e substances at that time prevetits the action of the lime
m the soap. A good suds may thus quickly be obtained, but
,t iloe^ not rid the water of the lime-soap curd which forms and
wfik'lip i» P*^ ^^ least, becomes entangled in the pores of the
cloth* The entangled curd has a weakening action on the fabric
mi pves it a close, filled-in appearance.
The only satisfactory method of getting rid of iron is to add
w:is!iing-soda to the water, then allowing the water to settle
fi>r five or six days before using it. The top water is afterward
drawn off.
Water may be softened by any of the following methods:
1. For each gallon of water, use 2 tablespoons of a solution
made by dissolving 1 pound of washing-soda in 1 quart of boiling
water. The solution should be bottled and kept on hand, as
it is a useful cleansing agent, or detergent.
2. For each gallon of water use 7* tablespoon of lye dissolved
in 1 cup of water.
3. For each gallon of water use 1 tablespoon of borax dis*
Kjjved in 1 cup of water.
If water is very hard, increase the amount of alkali used.
Organic maUer:
Organic material may be precipitated by the use of alum in
the form of an alum-borax mixturep The sediment should be
allowed to settle and the water may then be drawn from the
lap.
To remove organic matter, for each gallon of water 1 table-
Fpoon of a mixture made up of two-thirds borax and one-third
alum should be used. If the water is rich in organic matter,
more than 1 tablespoon of the mijcture must be used. When
water is ve^ scarce, alum is sometimes used to separate the
dirt from the water and the water is then filtered and used
again.
SOAP
A question often arises as to t^ advisability of using kitchen-
J^aste fats in making soap at home. While some house-
keepers may find such use an economy, the fact remains that
L
J
A MANUAL OF HOME-MAKING