Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 281, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1911 — For the Home Laundress [ARTICLE]

For the Home Laundress

receive at the hands of the average laundress. Every woman should de such work tor herself It possible Rightly managed, it does not take much time or tmiihftHnd the result to Infinitely more satisfactory. It poslble hays pure rain water dir other soft water, as you want that which is free from lime or iron. If you soften the water with sal soda borax or ammonia, the proportion should be one tablespoonful to a gallon of water. See that it la entirely dissolved before placing the clothes in it. In washing waists and neckwear trimmed profusely with lace and embroideries use warm auda made from castile or similar soap. Lacy things ' should not be rubbed too much, but simply squeezed, and should not be boiled too long. Then rinse, bleach and blue and hang In bright Sunshine and fresh air, to dry. Do not use too much bluing. Try first with a white cloth before dipping any wearing apparel Into it. For sheer materials either rice starch or gum arable water may be used for stiffening. Rice Starch—One fourth pound of rice In one quart of water until cooked to a pulp, adding more water If necessary. Now pour on one quart more of hot water And strain through a cloth. Gum Arabic Water—Take one ounce of the best gum arable and one-half pint of bailing water, pour water over the gum and let stand, stirring frequently; strain through a cloth and then bpttle. Half an hour before ironing sprinkle and roll in a towel. A corn broom makes a good sprinkler. Use warm water, as it spreads better and does not spot the clothes. Do not let them lie long or they will mildew. Be sure your Irons are clean and rub a little paraffin over each one and try on paper before using. Remember that pongee should always be Ironed when it Is dry, and with a warm, hot iron. Iron. Iron sleeves first, and by using a rather small Iron you will find It possible to iron them without creasing, even if you do not possess a sleeve board. Then iron the body of the waist, doing the tucks and plain part first on the right side, leaving the embroidery and lace, which should be ironed on the wrong side, for the last. To iron tucks nicely start at the shoulder, holding the waist at the bottom of the tucks firmly with the left hand to straighten them. Wash Irish' crochet lace with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, then dip in thin cold starch, putting a drop of bluing in the starch. Have several thicknesses of blanket, covered by an ironing sheet, on the table. Lay the lace right side down‘bn It, cover with a cloth and iron until dry, pressing i down hard. Then take your crochet hook and carefully pull out each little picot, raise all..the petals of the flowers, then press the balls into shape with your fingers. Even a large piece like a coat or waist can be done at home just as well as at the cleaners by-following these directions. Before washing the side plaited frills and jabots, which are so pretty and popular, and yet so hard to “do up,” run a row of basting stitches about an inch from the outer edge. That will hold the plaits in position while washing and will save time and trouble later in ironing. These frills, by the way. should when possible be made separate from the blouse and buttoned, hooked or pinned on, so that they do. not have to go so often to the* tub. They really do not get dirty so quickly as the more exposed parts of the blouse. If you buy a ready made blouse with frills stitched on it ta an easy matter to rip them off and supply buttons and button holes. When ironing begin at the bottom, pulling gently from the top. The pleats adjust themselves.