Let the ironed clothes hang in the air for at least twenty-four hours after ironing. Unaired sheets have often brought on fatal sickness. Examine all clothes sent up from the wash. If the laundress is sure this inspec- tion will take place, it is a constant spur to working in the best way, and a word of praise for good points is always a stimulus. Mending should be done as the clothes are looked over, before putting away. Place the sheets from each wash at the bottom of the pile, that the same ones may not be used over and over, but all come in rotation ; and the same with table-linen. If the table-cloth in use is folded carefully in the creases, and kept under a heavy piece of plank, it will retain a fresh look till soiled. 60 WASHING-DAY, AND CLEANING IN GENERAL. Special hints as to washing blankets and dress-materials will be given in the latter part of the book. However carefully and neatly a house may be kept, it requires a special putting in order, known as House-clean- ing, at least once a year. Spring and fall are both devoted to it in New England ; and, if the matter be con- ducted quietly, there are many advantages in the double cleaning. In a warmer climate, where insect-life is more troublesome and the reign of flies lasts longer, two clean- ings are rather a necessity. As generally managed, they are a terror to ever}^ one, and above all to gentlemen, who resent it from beginning to end. No wonder, if at the first onslaught all home comfort ends, and regular meals become irregular lunches, and a quiet night's rest some- thing sought but not found. A few simple rules govern here, and will rob the ordeal of half its terrors. If coal or wood are to be laid in for the year's supply, let it be done before cleaning begins, as much dust is spread through the house in such work. Heavy carpets do not require taking up every year ; once in two, or even three, being sufficient unless they are in constant use. Take out the tacks, however, each year ; fold back the carpet half a yard or so ; have the floor washed with a strong suds in which borax has been dis- solved, — a tablespoonful to a pail of water ; then dust black pepper along the edges, and retack the carpet. By this means moths are kept away ; and, as their favorite place is in corners and folds, this laying back enables one to search out and destroy them. Sapolio is better than sand for scouring paint, and in all cases a little borax in the water makes such work easier. WASEJNG-DAY, AND CLEANING IN GENERAL. 61 Closets should be put in order first ; all winter clothing packed in trunks, or put in bags made from several thick- nesses of newspaper, printers' ink being one of the most effectual protections against moths. Gum-camphor is also excellent ; and, if you have no camphor-wood chest or closet, a pound of the gum, sewed into little bags, will last for years. In putting away clothing, blankets, &c., look all over, and brush and shake with the utmost care before folding, in order to get rid of any possible moth- eggs. If matting is used, wipe it with borax-water, using a cloth wet enough to dampen but not wet. Window-glass thoroughly washed can be dried and pol- ished with old . newspapers ; or whiting can be used, and rubbed off with a woolen cloth.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Let the ironed clothes hang in the air for at least twenty-four hours after ironing. Unaired sheets have often brought on fatal sickness. Examine all clothes sent up from the wash. If the laundress is sure this inspection will take place, it is a constant spur to working in the best way, and a word of praise for good points is always a stimulus. Mending should be done as the clothes are looked over, before putting away. Place the sheets from each wash at the bottom of the pile, that the same ones may not be used over and over, but all come in rotation ; and the same with table-linen. If the table-cloth in use is folded carefully in the creases, and kept under a heavy piece of plank, it will retain a fresh look till soiled. Special hints as to washing blankets and dress-materials will be given in the latter part of the book. However carefully and neatly a house may be kept, it requires a special putting in order, known as House-cleaning, at least once a year. Spring and fall are both devoted to it in New England ; and, if the matter be conducted quietly, there are many advantages in the double cleaning. In a warmer climate, where insect-life is more troublesome and the reign of flies lasts longer, two cleanings are rather a necessity. As generally managed, they are a terror to ever}^ one, and above all to gentlemen, who resent it from beginning to end. No wonder, if at the first onslaught all home comfort ends, and regular meals become irregular lunches, and a quiet night's rest something sought but not found. A few simple rules govern here, and will rob the ordeal of half its terrors. If coal or wood are to be laid in for the year's supply, let it be done before cleaning begins, as much dust is spread through the house in such work. Heavy carpets do not require taking up every year ; once in two, or even three, being sufficient unless they are in constant use. Take out the tacks, however, each year ; fold back the carpet half a yard or so ; have the floor washed with a strong suds in which borax has been dissolved, — a tablespoonful to a pail of water ; then dust black pepper along the edges, and retack the carpet. By this means moths are kept away ; and, as their favorite place is in corners and folds, this laying back enables one to search out and destroy them. Sapolio is better than sand for scouring paint, and in all cases a little borax in the water makes such work easier. Closets should be put in order first ; all winter clothing packed in trunks, or put in bags made from several thicknesses of newspaper, printers' ink being one of the most effectual protections against moths. Gum-camphor is also excellent ; and, if you have no camphor-wood chest or closet, a pound of the gum, sewed into little bags, will last for years. In putting away clothing, blankets, &c., look all over, and brush and shake with the utmost care before folding, in order to get rid of any possible motheggs. If matting is used, wipe it with borax-water, using a cloth wet enough to dampen but not wet. Window-glass thoroughly washed can be dried and polished with old . newspapers ; or whiting can be used, and rubbed off with a woolen cloth.

The easiest way in housekeeping and cooking