IV. Washing clothes is necessary from the points of com-
fort, appearance, and health, both personal and public.
Dirt is largely of an oily nature. The alkali of the soap
combines with the dirt to form a soapy compound which is
soluble, and is carried away in the water. Water is a great
dirt carrier, and should be used in abundance for washing
clothes. Soft water is preferred ; hard water may be soft-
ened by boiling, by the judicious use of sal soda in solution,
or by the use of a strong soap. Soaking clothes in soapy
water for an hour or more before washing makes the work
lighter. Never wash a tubful of clothes in the water in
which they have been soaked. Wring them out into a clean
suds, and with the rubbing board or the hands loosen the
THE LAUNDRY 295
dirt. If all the dirt is not removed by the rubbing, put a
little soap on to the soiled part' before dropping it into the
boiler. Have cold water and soap in the boiler, let the
water heat and boil from ten to twenty minutes. The
longer time is necessary for clothes from a sick-room, for
disease germs are killed by boiling. Have ready warm,
clean rinsing water ; have it warm because cold water would
harden the soapy dirt on to the clothes, and necessitate rub-
bing to remove it. Rinse the clothes in several waters, or
until the water is clear. A generous supply of water is
very essential, especially in rinsing to carry off all the dirt,
and leaves the clothes white and clean. Make bluing in a
small utensil and pour it into a tub of water until the water
seems sky blue when taken in the hand. Solid blue must
be tied in a flannel bag and squeezed out of it into the
water. The bluing water must be used at once, not be
allowed to stand and settle. Stir up the water well that
the color may be even, shake out the articles to be blued,
and put them into the water a few at a time. Wring them
out at once, shake them and hang them to dry in the shape
you wish them to be in when worn. A little work here will
make ironing much easier. When dry, fold clothes, don't
crush them into a basket. For sprinkling have a clean
table, a bowl of tepid water, and a whisk broom, or use the
tips of the fingers, to distribute the water in fine dro]3s all
over the garment. Fold and roll the article tightly, and
cover it for several hours before ironing.
V. Ironing is done for comfort and appearance, and is a
very important part of the work. The table or board should
be of convenient height for the ironer. It should be covered
first with one or two thicknesses of heavy flannel or blanket.
Felt may be procured of the laundry supply people. This
should be tacked on to the boards. Over this should be tied,
or pinned firm, fine unbleached muslin. On the table at the
296 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
Page 143
Presented as published in 1900. 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
IV. Washing clothes is necessary from the points of comfort, appearance, and health, both personal and public. Dirt is largely of an oily nature. The alkali of the soap combines with the dirt to form a soapy compound which is soluble, and is carried away in the water. Water is a great dirt carrier, and should be used in abundance for washing clothes. Soft water is preferred ; hard water may be softened by boiling, by the judicious use of sal soda in solution, or by the use of a strong soap. Soaking clothes in soapy water for an hour or more before washing makes the work lighter. Never wash a tubful of clothes in the water in which they have been soaked. Wring them out into a clean suds, and with the rubbing board or the hands loosen the
dirt. If all the dirt is not removed by the rubbing, put a little soap on to the soiled part' before dropping it into the boiler. Have cold water and soap in the boiler, let the water heat and boil from ten to twenty minutes. The longer time is necessary for clothes from a sick-room, for disease germs are killed by boiling. Have ready warm, clean rinsing water ; have it warm because cold water would harden the soapy dirt on to the clothes, and necessitate rubbing to remove it. Rinse the clothes in several waters, or until the water is clear. A generous supply of water is very essential, especially in rinsing to carry off all the dirt, and leaves the clothes white and clean. Make bluing in a small utensil and pour it into a tub of water until the water seems sky blue when taken in the hand. Solid blue must be tied in a flannel bag and squeezed out of it into the water. The bluing water must be used at once, not be allowed to stand and settle. Stir up the water well that the color may be even, shake out the articles to be blued, and put them into the water a few at a time. Wring them out at once, shake them and hang them to dry in the shape you wish them to be in when worn. A little work here will make ironing much easier. When dry, fold clothes, don't crush them into a basket. For sprinkling have a clean table, a bowl of tepid water, and a whisk broom, or use the tips of the fingers, to distribute the water in fine drops all over the garment. Fold and roll the article tightly, and cover it for several hours before ironing.
V. Ironing is done for comfort and appearance, and is a very important part of the work. The table or board should be of convenient height for the ironer. It should be covered first with one or two thicknesses of heavy flannel or blanket. Felt may be procured of the laundry supply people. This should be tacked on to the boards. Over this should be tied, or pinned firm, fine unbleached muslin. On the table at the