CALICO AND CAMBRIC.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1836, 10 January 1880, Page 4

CALICO AND CAMBRIC.

[“ Prairie Farmer.”]

There is nothing nicer for household wear than calico or cambric. They are so cheap now that one can afford to have a new]dresa often, only, unfortunately for busy people, dresses have to be made. These goods are so frequently spoiled in the washing, that where time is precious, the portion devoted to making them up seems wasted. Of coarse some calicoes will fade in spite of all that can be done, but people have no business to bay such, for there are plenty that will not. In case it is necessary to test the colors on the spot, and soap and water are not available, o.d fashioned people chew a scrap of the goods. If calico will stand that test no one need be afraid of soap and water, always providing that it is properly used. Calicoes should never be washed in very hot sue:, nor left soaking in it. They should be dried wrong side out in the shade and ironed on the wrong side. Never put dark calicoes into water in which white clothes have been washed ; stiffen them with glue instead of starch, and cover the skirt board with a dark cloth before ironing. A little salt in the water helps to set the colors. Alum water is good for green and red, but lacking this a little vinegar in the water will do. Borax water brightens a great many colors. For fabrics that require very careful washing, put a tablespoouful of ox-gall and a teaspoonful of powdered borax to a gallon ef cold water and soak the goods in it before washing. Never wash colored goods on a jrainy day. They should dry quickly in the shade, but always out of doors, to prevent streaking.