To Wash White Merino, alpaca, etc., if soap is used, the ordinary
plan above described for ordinary woolen goods is pursued. The
quicker the operation is carried out the less danger will there be of the
stuff becoming yellow. Bran is often used for this class of goods
instead of soap, a lather being made of one pound of bran, tied up in
muslin, boiled in two gallons of water, blue being added to the rinsing
water. Another plan is to grate three large potatoes in one pint of
water, and let it stand some hours ; then pour off the clear liquid and
sponge the material well with it, subsequently dipping it in fresh water.
When these white materials are ironed, and not mangled, it must
always be with muslin between, and they should be rolled in a cloth.
With Regard to Woolen Things, the chief difference in the mode of
washing is that no blue is employed, and it is more than ever impera-
236 THE LA UNDR Y.
tive that no soap be rubbed on them. They must be carefully dried in
the shade ; very delicate colors in the dark. The chief cause of colors
running is that the things are allowed to lie about damp, and are not
dried quickly enough. The usual method of setting colors is to put a
handful of salt in the tub of rinsing water, or a tablespoonful of ox-gall
stirred in the lather, or a tablespoonful of vinegar in the rinsing water
will have the same effect. White and colored flannels must on no
account be washed together. Woolen dresses, and also curtains, must
be taken from the gathers before washing.
DOING UP LACES AND CURTAINS.
Fine Laces may be carefully washed, and with much more satisfac-
tion than if sent to a lace renovator or washer, by making a strong soap
suds and filling a shallow platter full of the soapy water. Then double
the lace and lay it in the water so that every part is completely
covered. Put this out in the sun for a couple of days, changing the
water several times during the day. Lift it out carefully each time
and do not wring or rinse it. When completely clean Stretch it on a
piece of white cloth in the house, carefully pulling it before it gets
quite dry. Smoothing it carefully with the thin blade of a fruit knife
will improve its looks, but never iron or starch it. If it is a kind of lace
that should be a little stiff, put the least bit of gum arabic in the last
water, or a little sugar. Even if you only put it in the soapsuds and
dry it, it will look very nicely. Gasoline washes silk laces very nicely,
as it also does ribbons, handkerchiefs and silk stockings.
Edgings : Cover the outside of a large glass bottle smoothly with
soft white cotton, linen or flannel. Wrap the lace around it, basting
each edge carefully with very fine thread. Fasten a piece of thin mus-
lin or net over the outside of the lace. Soak the bottle in tepid water
for an hour or two, then wash in soapsuds until clean, after which lay it
in clean water for twelve hours, changing it once or twice during that
time. To finish, take it from the water and dry by wrapping in a towel,
then dip the bottle into rice water and roll it in a fresh towel. While
still damp take the lace carefully from the bottle, and placing it between
clean white cloths iron until completely dry.
Page 209
Presented as published in 1886. 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
To Wash White Merino, alpaca, etc., if soap is used, the ordinary plan above described for ordinary woolen goods is pursued. The quicker the operation is carried out the less danger will there be of the stuff becoming yellow. Bran is often used for this class of goods instead of soap, a lather being made of one pound of bran, tied up in muslin, boiled in two gallons of water, blue being added to the rinsing water. Another plan is to grate three large potatoes in one pint of water, and let it stand some hours ; then pour off the clear liquid and sponge the material well with it, subsequently dipping it in fresh water. When these white materials are ironed, and not mangled, it must always be with muslin between, and they should be rolled in a cloth.
With Regard to Woolen Things, the chief difference in the mode of washing is that no blue is employed, and it is more than ever impera-
tive that no soap be rubbed on them. They must be carefully dried in the shade ; very delicate colors in the dark. The chief cause of colors running is that the things are allowed to lie about damp, and are not dried quickly enough. The usual method of setting colors is to put a handful of salt in the tub of rinsing water, or a tablespoonful of ox-gall stirred in the lather, or a tablespoonful of vinegar in the rinsing water will have the same effect. White and colored flannels must on no account be washed together. Woolen dresses, and also curtains, must be taken from the gathers before washing.
DOING UP LACES AND CURTAINS.
Fine Laces may be carefully washed, and with much more satisfaction than if sent to a lace renovator or washer, by making a strong soap suds and filling a shallow platter full of the soapy water. Then double the lace and lay it in the water so that every part is completely covered. Put this out in the sun for a couple of days, changing the water several times during the day. Lift it out carefully each time and do not wring or rinse it. When completely clean Stretch it on a piece of white cloth in the house, carefully pulling it before it gets quite dry. Smoothing it carefully with the thin blade of a fruit knife will improve its looks, but never iron or starch it. If it is a kind of lace that should be a little stiff, put the least bit of gum arabic in the last water, or a little sugar. Even if you only put it in the soapsuds and dry it, it will look very nicely. Gasoline washes silk laces very nicely, as it also does ribbons, handkerchiefs and silk stockings.
Edgings : Cover the outside of a large glass bottle smoothly with soft white cotton, linen or flannel. Wrap the lace around it, basting each edge carefully with very fine thread. Fasten a piece of thin muslin or net over the outside of the lace. Soak the bottle in tepid water for an hour or two, then wash in soapsuds until clean, after which lay it in clean water for twelve hours, changing it once or twice during that time. To finish, take it from the water and dry by wrapping in a towel, then dip the bottle into rice water and roll it in a fresh towel. While still damp take the lace carefully from the bottle, and placing it between clean white cloths iron until completely dry.