To test the soap : To one spoonful of soap add one of rain water ; if
it stirs up very thick the soap is good and will keep ; if it becomes
thinner it is unfit for use. If too weak, continue to boil for a few hours,
when it should flow from the stick with which it is stirred like thick
molasses ; but if after boiling it remains thin, let it stand over night,
removing the fire ; then drain very carefully into another vessel, being
particular to prevent any sediment from passing. Wash the kettle,
return the soap and bring to a boil, and if the cause was dirt, it will
now be thick and good, otherwise it is too strong and needs rain-water
added. This can be safely done by pouring in a small quantity at a
time, until it becomes thick. A few beef bones left in the barrel will
sink to the bottom and improve the soap. Soft soap should be kept in
a dry place in the cellar ; it is better if allowed to stand three months
before using.
RENOVATING SOAP.
Four ounces of cinnamon, four of castile soap, two of alcohol, two of
glycerine, two of ether. Cut the soap fine ; dissolve in one quart of
water✪ Renovating Soap over the fire. Then add four quarts of water. Cork it up tight.
This is good for renovating rugs, cleaning alpaca linings, coat collars,
and for taking out paint or grease.
To make a wash for a worsted dress, put a teacupful to a pail of
warm water ; shake and squeeze well in this, then rinse in plenty of
warm water. Iron on the wrong side.
To clean coat collars, put liquid in a cup, apply with a rag and wash
off with another in soft tepid water.
244 THE LA UNDR Y.
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.
To Remove Iron Mold from Linen, wash the spots in a strong
solution of cream of tartar and water. Repeat, if necessary, and dry-
in the sun.
Brush Silk with a piece of cotton velvet rolled up tight. For wash-
ing, pour a pint of boiling water on a tablespoonful of alcohol. Let it
stand till tepid, and sponge the goods with it.
Silk Pocket Handkerchiefs and deep blue factory cotton will not
fade if dipped in salt and water while new.
Wash-Leather Gloves should be washed in clean suds scarcely warm,
Keep an old blanket and sheet on purpose for ironing ; have plenty
of holders always made that your towels may not be burned out in such
service.
Soap the dirtiest clothes and soak them in warm water over night.
Use hard soap to wash the clothes and soft to wash floors. Soft soap
is so slippery that it wastes a good deal in washing clothes.
Silk Neckties can be washed in rain-water, to one pint of which add
a teaspoonful of white honey and one of hartshorn. Do not squeeze,
but let them drip, and when nearly dry press between folds of cloth.
To Wash Red Table Linen, use tepid water, with a little powdered
borax (borax sets the color) ; wash the linen separately and quickly,
using very little soap ; rinse in tepid water containing a little boiled
starch ; hang to dry in the shade ; iron when almost dry.
To Take Out Fruit Stains, rub the part on each side with yellow
soap ; then tie up a piece of pearlash in the cloth and soak well in hot
water, or boil ; afterwards expose the stained parts to the sun and air
until removed.
Page 216 · 1 recipe record on this page
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 test the soap : To one spoonful of soap add one of rain water ; if it stirs up very thick the soap is good and will keep ; if it becomes thinner it is unfit for use. If too weak, continue to boil for a few hours, when it should flow from the stick with which it is stirred like thick molasses ; but if after boiling it remains thin, let it stand over night, removing the fire ; then drain very carefully into another vessel, being particular to prevent any sediment from passing. Wash the kettle, return the soap and bring to a boil, and if the cause was dirt, it will now be thick and good, otherwise it is too strong and needs rain-water added. This can be safely done by pouring in a small quantity at a time, until it becomes thick. A few beef bones left in the barrel will sink to the bottom and improve the soap. Soft soap should be kept in a dry place in the cellar ; it is better if allowed to stand three months before using.
RENOVATING SOAP.
Four ounces of cinnamon, four of castile soap, two of alcohol, two of glycerine, two of ether. Cut the soap fine ; dissolve in one quart of water over the fire. Then add four quarts of water. Cork it up tight. This is good for renovating rugs, cleaning alpaca linings, coat collars, and for taking out paint or grease.
To make a wash for a worsted dress, put a teacupful to a pail of warm water ; shake and squeeze well in this, then rinse in plenty of warm water. Iron on the wrong side.
To clean coat collars, put liquid in a cup, apply with a rag and wash off with another in soft tepid water.
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.
To Remove Iron Mold from Linen, wash the spots in a strong solution of cream of tartar and water. Repeat, if necessary, and dryin the sun.
Brush Silk with a piece of cotton velvet rolled up tight. For washing, pour a pint of boiling water on a tablespoonful of alcohol. Let it stand till tepid, and sponge the goods with it.
Silk Pocket Handkerchiefs and deep blue factory cotton will not fade if dipped in salt and water while new.
Wash-Leather Gloves should be washed in clean suds scarcely warm,
Keep an old blanket and sheet on purpose for ironing ; have plenty of holders always made that your towels may not be burned out in such service.
Soap the dirtiest clothes and soak them in warm water over night. Use hard soap to wash the clothes and soft to wash floors. Soft soap is so slippery that it wastes a good deal in washing clothes.
Silk Neckties can be washed in rain-water, to one pint of which add a teaspoonful of white honey and one of hartshorn. Do not squeeze, but let them drip, and when nearly dry press between folds of cloth.
To Wash Red Table Linen, use tepid water, with a little powdered borax (borax sets the color) ; wash the linen separately and quickly, using very little soap ; rinse in tepid water containing a little boiled starch ; hang to dry in the shade ; iron when almost dry.
To Take Out Fruit Stains, rub the part on each side with yellow soap ; then tie up a piece of pearlash in the cloth and soak well in hot water, or boil ; afterwards expose the stained parts to the sun and air until removed.
Records on this page
Renovating Soap