WOMEN IN THE HOME

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 3

WOMEN IN THE HOME

GOOD LAUNDRY WORK HINTS ON RINSING AND IRONING The successful washing of clothing and household depends on several factors, and is important not only because of the actual appearance of the garments, but also from the financial point of view. Many articles, which with careful laundering will serve their purpose and look almost like new for a considerable length of time, may be ruined in a minute by some wrong treatment, accidental or otherwise. The laundry work of a household entails a good deal of time and thought, and although in this era, electric washing machines and “bag washes’’ have eliminated much of the drudgery attached to it, the reaction of the fabrics to the treatment received remains much the same. The nature of the water, the type of soap used, the amount of care exercised in rinsing to ensure the removal of all traces of soap, the stiffening used, all affect the appearance of the articles after the process is complete. These reactions are more or less of a chemical nature, but the mechanical manipulation is important also, especially the method of removal of marks, and the handling of the wet garments, the cleanliness of the "line, the pegs, to say nothing of the way in which the articles are hung. Neither does the matter end there. Some materials need to be ironed dry, others damp with either hot or moderately hot irons. So “the washing” is really an involved and skilled operation after all, and when there is not too much of it, can be one of the really satisfying branches of housewifery. When properly done, the housewife and family retain a well-groomed appearance which contributes considerably to a good morale. Removal of Stains Generally speaking, it is wisest to deal with any stains on either clothing or linen immediately the accident occurs, as this facilitates removal and avoids fixing of the stain. In some cases, first-aid will remove all traces, in others the initial process must be followed by washing, and in still other cases, washing without treatment beforehand fixes the stain beyond hope of removal. Not all marks “come out in the wash." It is best to try some simple treatment first which may suffice. • It is well known that soft water makes a lather with soap more readily than does hard water, and in households using the latter, some means of softening the water may be necessary to prevent wastage of soap. The usual softening agents are borax and soda, borax being used when white silks and woollens are washed, and soda for white cotton or linen. A little borax is particularly useful when washing new woollens for the first time. Either agents may be harmful in excess and should be added to the water before the soap is used. If : soap and agent are added together they will inter-act, and the object be defeated. The softening takes place in a matter of seconds in boiling water, and in a few minutes with hot or warm, but much more slowly with cold. It should be emphasised that after removing clothes from the copper, they must be thoroughly drained before being put into the first rinsing water; otherwise a curd will form and the clothes be dinghy.

Coloured Articles Either of these softening agents affects colour. The chief essential in the washing of coloured articles is to have some idea of the effect of the water Upon them. Until experience teaches, it is always wise to test a strip beforehand, and if there is any tendency to run. the water used should be as cool as possible. Borax, ammonia, or soda should be avoided absolutely and a good lather prepared. To fix the colour, salt or vinegar should be added if necessary, and to the rinsing water particularly to brighten the colours. Salt is used for \>lue and vinegar for pink shades. In all cases, coloured articles should be washed and hung out as quickly as possible and dried in semi-shade. Bran-water is a very useful medium for the washing .of cretonne and the little extra trouble of preparation is worth while, for it retains the soft fresh appearance of the new material. It is made by boiling two handfuls of bran in a muslin bag in four quarts of water for an hour, water being then added to make lukewarm. Soap jelly is used to make a lather, and the material kneaded in the water as quickly as possible, adding salt if necessary. Cretonnes which require to be starched should be treated with thin boilingwater starch, and ironed when partly dry on the wrong side. Much better final results are obtained if all articles are properly prepared for ironing. Apart from the heavier things which are mangled, careful damping and folding make pleasanter » ironing, and give a better finish. Goods dampened down must be left rolled up for at least half an hour to equalise the moisture. Silks should not be dried and dampened, as they will spot or mottle when ironed, but should be rolled in cloths while still damp. Tussore and shantung however, are hung out and then ironed when dry, on-the wrong side. When ironing rayon or any artificial silks, use only a moderately hot iron, as the fibres are easily damaged. This applies to lock-knit articles also. Rules for Ironing General rules for ironing give the usual procedure. For dull surfaces, iron on the wrong side, for glossy surfaces on the right. Damask must always be glossy and ironed with steady presr sure, the movement going gradually from the ironed part to the unironed. Any embroidery should be ironed lightly on the right side first to give a gloss and then on the wrong over a folded cloth to raise the design. This applies to any embroidered article, unless it ig specially desired to have a woven appearance. When ironing any lace, use the point of the iron, and stretch carefully to full width. Delicate lace is not iron, but pinned on a cloth stretched over a board, covered with folds of blotting paper and pressed. Practice is the best teacher for successful ironing of. wearing apparel, but it is always wise to follow a sequence, doing the double parts first and the sleeves, which can hang free while the remainder is being done. The point of the iron is run into pleats and gathers. Nothing is gained by thumping the iron down, a quiet steady movement along the way of the material being more effective. Never push the iron in all directions: articles made up on the cross will be pulled out of shape unless ironed diagonally, as the material was cut. Cardiff holds the record among British cities for large families. There are six couples with 20 or more children, and more than 20 with between 15 and 20. A monument to the French poetess, Anne, Countess Mathieu de Noaillqs, who died in H)33, was unveiled recently at Amphion, on the Lake of Geneva.