Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 262, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1910 — TO WASH ECRU CURTAINS [ARTICLE]

TO WASH ECRU CURTAINS

First Lay in Cold Water, Then Pass to Bath of Warm . Water and Borax. First shake free from dust and, if possible, hang up out of doors to dislodge as much more of the dust as possible, as this will save labor when it comes to washing. Next lay in cold water until It looks dark and brown looking; then wring and pass into a bath, which you have prepared of warm water, soap and a little borax. The quantity of the latter will depend upon the degree of hardness of the water. Lift the curtains up and down in this bath and squeeze through the hands. Use only a good white soap And do not rub it directly on the curtains. If you do the result will be white patches, because the soap will probably take out a little of the color. When the curtains are clean rinse first in warm water and then in cold. If the shade has become lighter the curtains may be put through a last rinsing water, to which strong tea has been added. An objection to the tea tint is that the sun is apt to fade the color when the curtains are hung at the windows, creating ugly streaks, as curtains do not fade all over alike. Boiled or raw starch may be used when the curtains are ready for the stretchers or for pinning to the line. Take care to see that all edges are perfectly straight and even. Some persons sew a pair of curtains together before washing, and unless they are very heavy it would seem to be a good plan, because then they will hang exactly the same when taken apart and placed at the > windows.