Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1884 — How to Starch and Iron. [ARTICLE]

How to Starch and Iron.

Every housekeeper knows the difficulty of starching and ironing shirt bosoms, colars, and cuffs satisfactorily. When done at a laundry they have a glossy finish which both improves their appearance, and prevdpts their getting soiled readdy. To give a fine gloss to linen a good quality of starch must be used. It is best to get it by the box of six pounds or more, as it comes cheaper and is always at hand. The empty box is useful for other purposes. I have read of many additions to starch to Vgive a gloss, such as white wax, spermaceti and gum arabic, and have tried ( them all, but find them to no advantage if good starch is used. Gum arabic with cold starch sometimes makes the linen stiff. Mix the quantity of starch required with cold water to about the consistency of thin cream, then pour on boiling water and stir briskly. Make quite thick and keep over a good fire, stirring all the time. Boil until clear, and for some minutes longer, to be sure it is well cooked (some think a little lard or butter added prevents the iron from sticking). As soon as it' cooled enough not to burn the hands, take the linen, previously well washed and rinsed, and with the fingers rub the starch well into it, and slap together. Continue this until the linen has taken all the starch it will hold. Then smooth with the fingers careiully. taking out all the wrinkl s; with a clean, damp cloth remove all the specks of starch from the smooth surface, and hang up to dry Where no particles of dirt are floating. If hung out of doors, when the wind blows, it will take out a part of the starch. When dry immerse the linen quickly in hot water, and roll up quickly in a clean, dry cloth. Usually it will be ready to iron in from ten to fifteen minutes.

Some dip the linen, when dry,'in cold -water, containing a little starch dissolved, and then roll up. This requires time for the articles to become dry enough to iron well. When a colar, for instance, is ready to iron, lay a clean cloth over the cover of the ironing board, and place on it the colar with outside down, and apply the iron, not too hot, lifting the collar up every time the iron passes over it, to allow the steam to escape, and to prevent its sticking to the cloth. While yet damp, turn the collar inside up and iron once or twice, or until nearly dry (bearing in mind not to have the iron too hot); when removed to a bosom board, made of hard wood without covering, place on a bare table with polishing iron well heated, but not too hot, and go over the collar, putting on all the pressure that you can, but not' too slowly or it may scorch. Should the linen get too dry to receive a good polish, dampen evenly with a wet cloth. Much of the success in securing a good polish on linen depends upon the pressure put upon it while d amp, and hayingunderneathit a hard board. A good polishing iron is es-ential. The one that gives me the most satisfaction cost sixty-two and a half cents. Doubtless there are others equally as good.— San Francisco Call.