present in the powder. Grease is more quickly acted
upon by hot water than by cold, but other organic matter
is fixed by the hot water. An effective method is to soak
thoroughly the most soiled portion of the clothes, fold
these together towards the centre, roll the whole tightly
and soak in cold water. The water should just cover the
articles. In tliis way the soap is kept where it is most
needed, and not washed away before it has done its work.
When the clothes are unrolled, the dirt may be washed
out with less rubbing. Too long soaking, when a strong
soap is used, will weaken the fabric.
Whether to boil clothes or not, depends largely upon
the purity of the materials used and the care exercised.
Many feel that the additional disinfection which boiling
insures, is an element of cleanness not to be disregarded,
while others insist tliat boiling yellows the clothes. This
yellowness may be caused by impure material in the
soap, the deposit of iron from the water or the boiler;
the imperfect washing of the clothes, that is, the organic
matter is not thoroughly removed. The safer process is
to put the clothes into cold water, with little or no soap,
let the temperature rise gradually to boiling point and
remain there for a few minutes. Soap is more readily
dissolved by liot than by cold water, hence the boiling
should precede the rinsing. One tablespoon ful of borax
to every gallon of water jidded to each boilerful, serves as
a blujicher and disinfocUint. Scalding or pouring boiling
water over the clothes is not so effectual for their disin-
foction as boiling, because the temperature is so quickly
lowered.
The main points in laundry cleansing seem to be: (1)
The removal of all stains; (2) Soft water and a good
LAUNDRY WORK. 139
quality of soap ; (3) The use of alkalies in solution only;
(4) Not too hot nor too much water, while the soap is
acting on the dirt ; (5) Thorough rinsing, that all alkali
may be removed ; (6) Long exposure to sunlight, the
best bleacher and disinfectant.
Washing of Woollens.
All wool goods require the greatest care in washing.
The different waters used should be of the same tempera-
ture, and never too hot to be borne comfortably by the
hands. Soap should always be used in the form of a
solution. No soap should be rubbed on the fabric, and
only a good white soap, free from resin, or a soft potash
soap is allowable. Make each water slightly soapy, and
leave a very little in the fabric at the last rinsing, in
order to furnish a dressing as nearly like the original as
possible. Ammonia or borax is sometimes used in pref-
erence to soap. For pure white flannel borax is the
most- satisfactory, on account of its bleaching quality.
Only enough of any alkali should be used to make the
water very soft.
Wool fibres collect much dust, and should therefore be
thoroughly brushed or shaken before the fabric is put
into the water. Woollen fabrics should be cleansed by
squeezing, and not by rubbing. Wool should not be
wrung by hand. Either run the fabric smoothly through
a wringer or squeeze the water out, so that the fibres may
not become twisted. Woollen articles may be dried more
quickly by rolling the article tightly in a thick, dry
towel or sheet, and squeezing the whole till all moisture
is absorbed. Shake the article thoroughly before placing
140 DOMESTIC SCIENCK
Page 61
Presented as published in 1905. 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
present in the powder. Grease is more quickly acted upon by hot water than by cold, but other organic matter is fixed by the hot water. An effective method is to soak thoroughly the most soiled portion of the clothes, fold these together towards the centre, roll the whole tightly and soak in cold water. The water should just cover the articles. In tliis way the soap is kept where it is most needed, and not washed away before it has done its work. When the clothes are unrolled, the dirt may be washed out with less rubbing. Too long soaking, when a strong soap is used, will weaken the fabric.
Whether to boil clothes or not, depends largely upon the purity of the materials used and the care exercised. Many feel that the additional disinfection which boiling insures, is an element of cleanness not to be disregarded, while others insist tliat boiling yellows the clothes. This yellowness may be caused by impure material in the soap, the deposit of iron from the water or the boiler; the imperfect washing of the clothes, that is, the organic matter is not thoroughly removed. The safer process is to put the clothes into cold water, with little or no soap, let the temperature rise gradually to boiling point and remain there for a few minutes. Soap is more readily dissolved by liot than by cold water, hence the boiling should precede the rinsing. One tablespoon ful of borax to every gallon of water added to each boilerful, serves as a bleacher and disinfectant. Scalding or pouring boiling water over the clothes is not so effectual for their disinfection as boiling, because the temperature is so quickly lowered.
The main points in laundry cleansing seem to be: (1) The removal of all stains; (2) Soft water and a good
quality of soap ; (3) The use of alkalies in solution only; (4) Not too hot nor too much water, while the soap is acting on the dirt ; (5) Thorough rinsing, that all alkali may be removed ; (6) Long exposure to sunlight, the best bleacher and disinfectant.
Washing of Woollens.
All wool goods require the greatest care in washing. The different waters used should be of the same temperature, and never too hot to be borne comfortably by the hands. Soap should always be used in the form of a solution. No soap should be rubbed on the fabric, and only a good white soap, free from resin, or a soft potash soap is allowable. Make each water slightly soapy, and leave a very little in the fabric at the last rinsing, in order to furnish a dressing as nearly like the original as possible. Ammonia or borax is sometimes used in preference to soap. For pure white flannel borax is the most- satisfactory, on account of its bleaching quality. Only enough of any alkali should be used to make the water very soft.
Wool fibres collect much dust, and should therefore be thoroughly brushed or shaken before the fabric is put into the water. Woollen fabrics should be cleansed by squeezing, and not by rubbing. Wool should not be wrung by hand. Either run the fabric smoothly through a wringer or squeeze the water out, so that the fibres may not become twisted. Woollen articles may be dried more quickly by rolling the article tightly in a thick, dry towel or sheet, and squeezing the whole till all moisture is absorbed. Shake the article thoroughly before placing