FINE WOOLLENS

Evening Star, Issue 23382, 27 September 1939, Page 13

FINE WOOLLENS

WISE LAUNDRY HINTS Lacy woollen jumpers and men’s and boys’ fine woollen sports shirts, now so popular, need especial care m washing and drying if they are to retain their shape and not shrink or go thick. The object is to remove the dirt with as little handling as possible, and certainly no rubbing. Grease also has to be removed, yet a lot of soap cannot be used for this, as it mats the fibres. Ammonia is an excellent grease and dirt remover, but it should only bo used on white woollens, as it tends to fade colours. Borax is almost as effective and can be used on colours. A few minutes’ soaking in a lukewarm, slightly soapy wafer, containing either a little ammonia or borax, will work wonders. Then shake the articles about under the water, so that the lather is forced between the fibres. Then put through another slighty soapy water, shaking about again.

The garments should then be beautifully clean. Itinse in two lots of clear water of the same tepid temperature. It is important to remove as much moisture as possible before putting the articles to dry. Either put through a wringer with rubber rollers, or press in a clean towel, but do not twist or wring with the hands. Woollens of this kind are best dried flat on a towel, being turned several times and pulled into shape two or three times. If hung up, even on a hanger, they are apt to lose their shape and sag. To dry in hot sunshine is almost as bad as drying before a hot fire. On the other hand, leaving tho ; articles wet for a long time will also cause shrinking. The ideal is either a good current of air or a warm place.