THE SIMPLE WASH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1907, Page 8

THE SIMPLE WASH.

The-ingredients-for the soak-tub are: ilb of common soap, 1 teaspoonful strong liquid ammonia (cloudy wiU not do), and 1 tablespoonful of turpentine; shred the soap into about three pints of clean water, put it into a pot over the stove, let it remain there until all the soap is dissolved. While this soapy mixture is still hot, add the ammonia and turpentine, and while still hot stir it into a large tub three parts full of cold water. Into this tub of mixturenaek all the soiled white clothes, cover with cloth, and leave for from 12 to 4S hours (about 16 hours is best). When ready to wash, have handy one or more tubs of clean cold water for rinsing, and one of blue water. Rub lightly any very soiled portion of any article, pounce up and down a few times in the lather, then pass through a wringer into the rinses, and into the blue, and then peg them out. White and coloured flannels, and coloured ; cottons, or silks, may be washed in this solution, but of course separately, and should not be soaked for more than an hour. Except for the short soak the treatment is the same. New materials should not be added to the soak, but should be soaked all night in clean cold water, and washed through the solution after the other things have been put out. The "dress" in new materials would "flatten" the lather, and make more rabbins necessary.

All insect-marked or blood-stained articles should be snaked all night in plain, cold water, the spots rubbed a little the next day, and then the articles can be included in the general soak.

If the solution is properly made the soak should be creamy to the touch, and easily whip up into a stiff, snowy lather.

The great objection urged against this system is that boiling is necessary for disinfecting clothes. As a matter of fact, the sun is the best disinfectant the wash can get. Ammonia and turps are destroyers of some insect life; but two hours' exposure tv the direct rays of the sun will kill most germs, even measles and consumption germs.

Many people say that ammonia and turps rot the clothes; but they really last longer than they do when treated to the ordinary wash; perhaps because, so much less hard-rubbing is required. Cloudy, autiinjura will not do j the -clear, #<»>_*}? -gj_ttap_. is-iiies-«-jsj):"=B_ie,.•