A handbook of home economics

Set the color in delicate fabrics. Sugar of lead is good for blues. Use 1 oz. to 1 gal. of water, and soak 1 h. (Remember that this is a poison and keep it on a high shelf, plainly marked.) Ordinary colors will do well with salt in the rinsing-water after the first time; allow 1 tbsp. salt to 1 qt. of water. Vine- gar is often used for lavender and purple; the propor- tion is the same as salt. Alum is good for green; the proportion is the same. When possible, boil all white clothes, using a small amount of soap in the water. Hot starch should be used generally for all clothes that are to be stiffened. Use 1 tbsp. starch. J/4 tsp. borax. A HANDBOOK OF, HOME ECONOMICS 63 Mix with a little cold water and stir in boiling water until transparent. Flannel and silk should be washed in warm, soapy water (Wool Soap or Ivory Soap will give good results), rinsed carefully in water of the same temperature, and hung to dry immediately. (Always wash these by hand, without using the washboard.) Iron the silk before it is fully dry, but allow the flannel to dry thoroughly. Very soft silk may be dipped in water in which gum arabic has been dissolved. Mix 1 oz. of gum with 1 pt. of hot water, strain through a cloth, and use 2 tsp. to 1 c. of water. To Remove Stains Tea or Coffee. — Rinse well and pour boiling water over the stain. Chocolate. — Sprinkle with powdered borax and soak well in cold water. Add boiling water. Fruit. — Dip into Javelle water and rinse thor- oughly, or treat like tea stains. Ink. — Soak two or three hours in coal oil, remove and wash in strong soap-suds, or rub with lemon juice and salt. Calla lily. — Nothing satisfactory; try ammonia several times. Milk. — Wash quickly in cold water. Scorch. — Hang in sun and try soap solution. Grass. — Wash in alcohol and rub well. 64 A HANDBOOK OF HOME ECONOMICS Paint. — Rub with benzine or turpentine. Blood. — Soak in cold water until stain turns brown, then wash in warm water and soap. Mildew. — Rub lemon juice upon the spots and place in sunshine. Salt may also be used. Iron Rust. — Spread carefully over bowl in which you have placed % tsp. borax and 1 pt. water. Drop by drop apply acid until the stain brightens; then dip directly in water. Repeat if necessary. It is often wise to add ammonia to the rinsing water. Javelle Water 4 Ibs. washing soda. 4 qts. boiling water. 1 Ib. chloride of lime. Dissolve soda in water in agate or granite-ware kettle, boil 10 m., stir in the lime gradually. When cold, strain through cloth and place in bottles. For ordinary bleaching, use 1 c. to 8 qts. of water. Do not leave in the water over 5 m. What is the difference between soft and hard water? What makes a good soap? How do you prepare an ironing board? What is the best shape and why? A HANDBOOK OF HOME ECONOMICS 65 BATTERS Any mixture of flour and liquid thin enough to be beaten is called a batter. Batter may be divided into three classes, — thin, thick, and drop-batters. The proportions for the thin batters are equal parts of flour and liquid. The proportions for the thick batter are twice as much flour as liquid. A drop-batter requires enough flour to cause it to fall readily from the spoon. Popovers 1 c. flour. 1 egg. 1 c. milk. y± tsp. salt.