How to Brush Clothes. Brushing clothes is a very simple but very necessary operation. Fine clothes require to be brushed lightly, and with rather a soft brush, except where mud is to be removed, when a hard one is necessary, being previously beaten lightly to dislodge the dirt. Lay the garment on a table, and brush it in the direction of the nap. Having brushed it properly turn the sleeves back to the collar, so that the folds may come at the elbow joints; next turn the lapels or sides back over the folded sleeves; then lay the skirts over level with the collar, so that the crease may fall about the center, and double one half over the. other, so that the fold comes in the center of the back. How to Wash Flannels. There are many conflicting theories in regard to the proper way to wash flannels, but I am convinced, from careful observation, that the true way is to wash them in water in which y^u can comfortably bear your hand. Make suds before putting the flannels in, and do not rub soap on the flannel. I make it a rule to have only one piece of flannel put in the tub at a time. Wash in two 256 The Care of the Clothes suds if much soiled; then rinse thoroughly in clean, weak suds, wring, and hang up; but do not take flannels out of warm water and hang out in a freezing air, as that cer- tainly tends to shrink them. It is better to dry them in the house, unless the sun shines. In washing worsted goods, such as men's pantaloons, pursue the same course, only do not wring them, but hang them up, and let them drain; while a little damp bring in and press smoothly with as hot an iron as you can use without scorching the goods. The reason for not wringing them is to prevent wrinkles. How to Clean Corsets. Take out the steels at front and sides, then scrub thoroughly with tepid or cold lather of white castile soap, using a very small scrubbing brush. Do not lay them in water. When quite clean let cold water run on them freely from the spigot to rinse out the soap thoroughly. Dry without ironing (after pulling lengthwise until they are straight and shapely) in a cool place. Boot Cleaning. Three good brushes and good blacking must be provided; one of the brushes hard, to brush off the mud; the other soft, to lay on the blacking; the third of a medium hardness, for polishing. The blacking should be kept corked up, except when in use, and applied to the brush with a sponge tied to a stick. When boots come in very muddy, wash off the mud, and wipe them dry with a sponge; then leave them to dry gradually on their sides, taking care they are not placed near the fire. To Clean Patent Leather Boots. They require to be wiped with a wet sponge, and afterward with a soft dry cloth, and occasionally with a soft cloth and sweet oil, blacking and polishing the edge of the soles in the usual way, but so as not to cover the patent p(>lish with blacking. A little milk may also be used with very good effect for patent leather boots. Ill THE CARE OF THE HOUSE, FURNITURE AND BRIC-A-BRAC.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

How to Brush Clothes. Brushing clothes is a very simple but very necessary operation. Fine clothes require to be brushed lightly, and with rather a soft brush, except where mud is to be removed, when a hard one is necessary, being previously beaten lightly to dislodge the dirt. Lay the garment on a table, and brush it in the direction of the nap. Having brushed it properly turn the sleeves back to the collar, so that the folds may come at the elbow joints; next turn the lapels or sides back over the folded sleeves; then lay the skirts over level with the collar, so that the crease may fall about the center, and double one half over the. other, so that the fold comes in the center of the back. How to Wash Flannels. There are many conflicting theories in regard to the proper way to wash flannels, but I am convinced, from careful observation, that the true way is to wash them in water in which you can comfortably bear your hand. Make suds before putting the flannels in, and do not rub soap on the flannel. I make it a rule to have only one piece of flannel put in the tub at a time. Wash in two 256 The Care of the Clothes suds if much soiled; then rinse thoroughly in clean, weak suds, wring, and hang up; but do not take flannels out of warm water and hang out in a freezing air, as that certainly tends to shrink them. It is better to dry them in the house, unless the sun shines. In washing worsted goods, such as men's pantaloons, pursue the same course, only do not wring them, but hang them up, and let them drain; while a little damp bring in and press smoothly with as hot an iron as you can use without scorching the goods. The reason for not wringing them is to prevent wrinkles. How to Clean Corsets. Take out the steels at front and sides, then scrub thoroughly with tepid or cold lather of white castile soap, using a very small scrubbing brush. Do not lay them in water. When quite clean let cold water run on them freely from the spigot to rinse out the soap thoroughly. Dry without ironing (after pulling lengthwise until they are straight and shapely) in a cool place. Boot Cleaning. Three good brushes and good blacking must be provided; one of the brushes hard, to brush off the mud; the other soft, to lay on the blacking; the third of a medium hardness, for polishing. The blacking should be kept corked up, except when in use, and applied to the brush with a sponge tied to a stick. When boots come in very muddy, wash off the mud, and wipe them dry with a sponge; then leave them to dry gradually on their sides, taking care they are not placed near the fire. To Clean Patent Leather Boots. They require to be wiped with a wet sponge, and afterward with a soft dry cloth, and occasionally with a soft cloth and sweet oil, blacking and polishing the edge of the soles in the usual way, but so as not to cover the patent polish with blacking. A little milk may also be used with very good effect for patent leather boots. THE CARE OF THE HOUSE, FURNITURE AND BRIC-A-BRAC.

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